April MacIntyre has posted a behind-the-scenes feature at the Monsters and Critics (M&C) website, providing fans a unique glimpse into the world of costume design for Stargate Atlantis‘s Season Four with an interview with the show’s Costume Designer, Valerie Halverson.
The article first starts off with a background on the cast changes for the season, explaining about the loss of Dr. Carson Beckett (and the fan campaign Save Carson Beckett), the loss of Dr. Elizabeth Weir, and the addition of Amanda Tapping as Col. Samantha Carter. After laying out the casting scene, MacIntyre talks with Halverson about her creative process from script to shooting. Halverson said, “I tend to come in early, 5:30-6:00AM. My team starts at 7:00AM and that gives me some time to organize our day and work on sketches if needed. I am often still here at 7 or 8:00PM. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it.”
Halverson’s team consists of all types of talent, including Koreen Heaver, Assistant Designer; Charis Tillson, Breakdown Artist (who makes things look old and weathered); Leslie Cairns, Slavica Gravac, Sam McKinnon and Gloria Chan, Cutters (who take Halverson’s design sketches and “bring them to life”); Nora Batista, Sewer; Pat Richards, Leather Expert (makes leather gauntlets, breastplates and grieves); and Petra Bergholz, who co-ordinates design groupings (such as a bunch of cavemen).
Halverson talked about her new designs for each character for Season Four, except for maybe Lt. Col. John Sheppard, who “doesn’t require much from us as he is in military uniform most of the time.” There is a marked increase in leather for all of the characters, including Dr. Rodney McKay and Col. Samantha Carter, especially for their off-world missions.
To read the full, informative article, please visit Stargate: Atlantis Big Fall Return, Costume Designer Valerie Halverson Suits the Cast.
Season Four of Stargate Atlantis premieres worldwide on the Sci Fi Channel, Friday, September 28, at 10pm Eastern, with “Adrift”.
How nice you caught the piece. The show requires the hard work and dedication of so many amazing people, not just the obvious ones you see.
I cannot wait for season 4, personally!
Thank you for the shout out.
It’s a very interesting piece, April. Thanks for bringing it to us.
I love behind-the-scenes information and am always astonished at the attention to detail from everyone in the various departments who make the script come to life. Stargate has a tremendous pool of talent.