Member Spotlight: Amber Rhodes

Amber’s path into costume wasn’t exactly planned. She started on Xena as a stand-in, moved through body and stunt double work, and eventually found her way into the costume department, where she’s now spent over 20 years. In 2016 she even tried to leave the industry to become a museum curator, completing a degree on scholarship and returning with a postgraduate qualification - but film had other ideas.

She is currently undertaking a Costume Supervisor attachment, gaining insight into large-scale productions and expanding her experience across budgeting systems and background costume design, alongside the logistics and team management she already knows well.

What was your very first job on set - and what did you learn from it?

‍My very first job was on Suzy’s World in the art department.. I learnt to listen and watch and not to stick my finger into a metal pipe when lifting it, nearly took the tip off my little finger… It was a more of a work experience thing before I moved on to my first proper job on Xena as the Gabrielle stand in, more listening and learning and loving that job, every single day was a blast. I learnt from the very centre of the set what everybody’s roles were and how everybody ’s part makes up the whole. A golden age in the NZ Film Industry

What/who inspired you to start working in film?

‍I always wanted to work in movies, my stepdad Peter was a film buff and we grew up on the classics, sunday matinee black and white films, hollywood dance epics, Singing in the Rain, the Wizard of Oz, Night of the Hunter… and of course NZ classics like Came a Hot Friday and Goodbye Pork Pie. One stormy night the producers of The Piano knocked on our door at Karekare, they may have been lost or stuck I can’t remember but that really brought the possibility of working in film into my mind, a movie being shot in our very own valley. I was 13.

What advice you’d give to those starting working in the industry?

‍Don’t think you know it all, you are ALWAYS learning, no matter how long you have been in the game. Listen, observe, learn, and always help out, nothing is below you. Don’t be a dick, or to put it politely, BE KIND.

Who have been the biggest influences or mentors in your career?

‍Going back to the early days, Lucy Lawless was (still is!) a great inspiration, the energy she brought to set, her interactions with crew, her professionalism and hard work ethos but also making it fun uplifted the whole crew, every job I’ve done with her has been a joy. Sarah Voon is a costume designer who I admire for her calm and considered design process and outstanding costume designs, from Go Girls, to Evil Dead, Mārama and the stage play Mary- The Birth of Frankenstein, her work is consistently high and her process is a pleasure to be a part of. More recently I’ve been inspired by working with Paul Booth, an unflappable Costume Supervisor who brings decades of experience and again a calm and generous spirit to the workroom, he has been very supportive of me on a number of recent jobs and I have learned a lot from him. There are many more I could name but we would be here all day!

What keeps you passionate about working in film?

‍New projects, new stories, every job is a chance to make some magic happen, and being an eternal optimist, it’s a new adventure every time, doesn’t always end up being the best time but like childbirth you forget the bad times and look forward to the next one!

What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction?

‍RESEARCH AND THE DESIGN PROCESS; Creating the world of the story through costume in whatever capacity I am in on that particular project, finding solutions, working hard to make the costumes look right for the actor or the BG extra who has walked in the door, seeing the end result of the whole crew’s hard work. There are moments when all the pieces come together in a fitting or when sourcing, and it is like magic unfolding, a really tangilble AHA! moment, I love it when that moment happens.

What’s one lesson the screen industry has taught you?

‍that I could probably never have a 9-5 job. It has taught me to be quick thinking and to seek solutions and think broadly. Being resilient and enjoying time off when it comes.

How do you define success in your work?

‍This may sound contrary, but having good work-life balance; I learnt some years ago that in order for me to do well at work, I had to take care of myself and ensure there are boundaries between my non-work life and my work life. I am better at my job because of this. Success to me is also being offered roles that I want to do and doing a job I can walk away from and feel proud of.
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Mā te mahi tahi ka ea ngā mahi - Through working together, the tasks are accomplished.

How do you think the NZ screen industry could better support crew?

‍I think a lot of companies are really trying to be supportive across the board, anti-harassment and mental health etc. It would be great to have a code of conduct of professionalism as I’ve noticed a lowering of standards in some industry members who are relatively new and whether they aren’t aware of these unwritten standards or they don’t care, is concerning to me, it demonstrates a real lack of respect for the profession.

How does working in Aotearoa compare to other places you’ve worked (if applicable)?

NA but very keen to work in Australia now that my kids are grown up.

What changes would you like to see in the next five years?

A four day working week . HAHAHA. In my dreams.

What do you think makes NZ crew unique?

‍We are REALLY keen to do well and work hard, this can sometimes be a problem, we make stuff happen and we do it without the effort being visible, this creates some unrealistic expectations sometimes and people can reach burnout. But our generallly high standards and great attitudes are appealing and mostly a good thing I think. We are grounded in manaakitanga, kotahitanga, and striving to do our best.

How do you see technology (AI, VFX, sustainability) shaping the future of our industry?

‍Sustainability I am 100 percent in support of, we are such a high waste industry, we need to be REALLY conscious of our use of resources and be responsible in the consumption of these resources. AI I am absolutely opposed to for many reasons, one being how it impacts on human creativity but more significantly, the environmental effects of AI data centres. To me AI is abhorrent.

How has being part of the Guild supported you or your peers?

‍Access to resources is great, advice about being a crew rep, the mental health support, industry health surveys etc, and Guild branch meetings are all really helpful for connecting.

What kind of Guild initiatives or training would you like to see more of?

‍Industry practises and standards for specific departments would be such a great resource for people starting out or who need to refresh. Why we do things the way we do them and have done for decades. Because those systems and structures WORK!

What’s one thing you wish every crew member knew about the Guild?

‍That the guild is working for us and it is an important and useful place for support, resources and networking!

Coffee order or go-to snack on set?

‍Flat white with moo milk, a smoothie, nuts and fruit. No processed snacks please.

Favourite filming location in NZ?

‍Anywhere remote! One of my all time favourite aspects of this job is seeing the stunning parts of Aotearoa that are not always accessible to the public, and sunrises. Love the sunrises.

A film or show that inspired you to get into this industry?

‍Any film from the golden age of Hollywood, the costumes got me good, it’s clear to me now that I was ALWAYS destined to work in costume. But specifically, The Piano; see my earlier mention.

What’s one skill or habit that helps you get through long shoot days?

‍Early nights, good sleep habits, drinking lots of water, not taking work home with me if I can help it. Taking timeout out on my days off to walk in the bush, swim in the ocean and sink into my rituals.

If you weren’t in film, what would you be doing instead?

‍Either a Waitakere Park Ranger or a Museum curator and currently considering becoming a Sunday painter…

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