Theatre design grads
get Wicked experience

Two UCA graduates were involved in creating the on-screen magic of Wicked, the timeless tale of witches Glinda and Elphaba which has graced theatres for more than 20 years and finally hits cinemas next month.

18 Nov 2024

Above, a promotional image for the movie Wicked. Picture: UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK

UCA Design for Theatre and Screen grads Hannah Morton and Josh Cranston had roles in costuming for the film version of Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, which will be released this week. We caught up with them to find out more about the experience.

Hi Hannah and Josh, congratulations! How did this incredible opportunity come about?
Hannah: During my first year, my costume tutor, Ella, was a costume maker working in industry. In her classes I worked hard, and tried to get as much out of them and from her as possible, knowing I wouldn’t have many better opportunities to get to know the industry. I guess my work ethic and attitude were noticed because Ella contacted me during the summer of my first year and asked if I would like to help. I immediately jumped on the opportunity and said yes!

Josh: In my first year, we had Ella, a lovely costume maker, come and teach us the basics of costuming. I was enjoying learning (with no previous knowledge) and was enthusiastic about doing bits in my own time, which Ella noticed. Then she asked if I would like to work on this with her.

What was your role in the production itself? What was a typical day on set like?
Josh: We were working in Elstree Studio's workshop space, doing tasks you may not think would be a part of costume making - applying millinery thickener, using a hot knife to cut rigid plastic material and more common tasks, like pattern cutting. The workload differed each day, but to begin our two weeks we made some smaller things, then we spent most days doing odd jobs like pinning and stripping reels of boning for the plastic cord. The final few days we were needed in the alterations department of the new Sky Studios buildings. We worked from 7am to 5 or 6pm in the evening - so long days, but never monotonous or lacking excitement!”

Hannah: My role was titled student costume maker, and I basically did anything that was needed of me - mainly jobs like cutting fabric pieces and making smaller details. Most days I was doing something different, but the general routine was very regular, starting at 8am and always having a morning tea! I would go to Ella, who was head cutter,  and get my job for the morning. After lunch I would either continue my job from the morning or move on to something else. If there was nothing immediate that needed to be done, I would ask around the workroom and try and help as many people as possible. The day would end around 6pm and we would tidy our areas of the workroom before heading home.

What are you most proud of from your experience on set?
Hannah: I’m most proud of how I carried myself and gave it everything I had, as I was very nervous being surrounded by professionals in my dream job.

Josh: I am proud of the quality and efficiency I was able to maintain throughout every day. It also feels quite prestigious to be able to work on such a project at such an early stage in my life.

What inspired you to take up Design for Theatre and Screen as a degree – and what made you choose UCA? 
Josh: I have always been a hands-on person, doing a lot of woodwork and metal work throughout schools and college.  I then began to make things from, or inspired by, films I loved growing up. In terms of choosing UCA, things just fell into place with it being close to me personally, and the description of the course felt like the best fit out of all my options. 

Hannah: I’ve always been interested in film and theatre, as I love being transported to different worlds. As I got older, I wanted to make my own. However, I wasn’t sure which aspect I wanted to make, so finding Design for Theatre and Screen, which covers everything, was a dream. I chose UCA because of the wide range of facilities - from screen printing to the wood workshop and everything in between, as well as the opportunity to work alongside tutors and technicians who also work in industry. I knew the only limitations for my work would be my own imagination.

What advice would you give to anyone considering studying Design for Theatre and Screen at UCA?
Hannah: Go for it! Give it your all, work hard and keep an open mind! Truly the only thing that will hold you back is yourself and what you can design and make!

Josh: Make sure you don’t turn opportunities down right away - I have found plenty of skills that I enjoy practicing but which, if I had been presented with the opportunity when I was younger, I wouldn't have taken the chance to develop.

Interested in following in Josh and Hannah’s footsteps? Check out our course pages. Wicked is released in cinemas nationwide on Friday (22 November).