Uniform rentals

[wylieh]

I'm a local filmmaker in preproduction for a WW2 short film. I'm looking to rent a period Nazi General uniform for five days in early October. Any suggestions on where to find one?

Thank you,
Wylie Herman
[phone]

[PRESIDENT]

Hello, Mr. Herman. I think your best bet is to rent from Western Costume or one of the industry wardrobe companies. While some have rented our costumes out in the past, there is typically issues on sizing (as the sizes our members have available are pretty much limited to the size of the owner) as well as liability issues if the garments are damaged.

[mikiv]

I'm a Media Arts student at Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) in Valley Glen who lives in North Hollywood.   LAVC does not fund production costs nor -- for this assignment -- does it provide loaners for any production items. I want to costume one actor (and if possible, equip him with a concept-suitable, non-operable prop firearm) for a WWII American Army European Theatre ground battle scenario that would be part of an assignment for my Cinematography class. I don't have measurements for the relevant actor, but can roughly describe costume-fitting-relevant measurements from casual visual observation: he's in his 20s, is about 6'1" and ~185 lb, and is fit/athletic (e.g., relatively narrow waist for an adult male with the aforementioned measurements). I may be able to get more accurate/specific measurements for him on short notice upon request.

I agree that film-industry rental houses have their advantages, but their rates greatly exceed my meager self-funding. Unfortunately, I've got minimal lead time -- my relatively brief shoot is scheduled for this Saturday morning, 9/20! (I do have a more-easily achievable -- albeit less desirable -- fallback concept in place that does not require such a uniform.) The project is a simple still-image shoot among a few World War I/II props / small set-type elements on a well-maintained/drained lawn in front of a World-War-themed restaurant in Van Nuys. The shoot does not require any part of the actor aside from the bottom of his feet, his hands, and perhaps a knee to contact the ground, and no other actions/circumstances likely to put a borrowed/rented uniform at meaningful risk for soiling/damage.

I can provide verification of the educational nature of my project (e.g., copy of Student ID Card, an excerpt from an enrollment print-out showing my enrollment in the applicable class, a signed Letter of Introduction from the associated instructor) upon request.

Given my limited lead time, I would be willing to travel to any point within a large swath of the Los Angeles metro area for pickup if other terms are suitable. Suggestions/offers?

Thx,
Mike

[PRESIDENT]

I'm sorry, Mike and Wylie. Our mission is not to be a prop/wardrobe house but to provide public education through living history volunteers. Loaning or renting out our member-owned uniforms and equipment, even for a relatively static shoot, is just not in the best interest of our members. Each of us spend too much time and money collecting these items, finding the specific sizes so it fits them right and restoring them to the proper look. With these factors, a lot of this stuff is essentially irreplaceable in the eyes of their owners. It's just not worth the risk.

Best of luck to both of you and your projects.