Insights into Chiaki Shimizu's Incredible Wētā Workshop Internship

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After winning the 2023 Wētā Workshop Emerging Designer Award for her garment SAMURAI Girl, Chiaki Shimizu spent time in Wellington, New Zealand, working with Sir Richard Taylor and the Wētā Workshop team.

While at Wētā Workshop, Chiaki worked in several departments, including Paint, Soft Costume, Design, and Costume Props, gaining invaluable professional skills and experiences.

Below, Chiaki reflects on her incredible internship, sharing insights from her time at the renowned creative services company.

‍“The internship experience was great; I got to know the skills I need, and while I’m not very good at speaking English, everyone at Wētā Workshop was very kind and accepting.” - Chiaki Shimizu

Wētā Workshop is divided into various departments such as painting, soft costumes, and costume props. I therefore spent my time going around to different departments to get different experiences.

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1: Paint Department

This department adds colour to costumes and figures. I helped put up masking to paint a costume. Other tasks included painting Lord of the Rings figures.

2: Soft Costume Department

This department produces fabric costumes and delicate accessories, such as the costumes for Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water. Here I learnt how to knit macrame. I also assisted in the creation of details for a prototype cape.

3: Design Department

The design department is the first step. This is where concept art and character designs are produced. This is the starting point, and once the director's approval has been given, the process moves on to the actual prototyping process.

I had asked Richard what skills I needed to become a costume designer, and he told me that I should be able to draw using Photoshop. I had always drawn designs by hand. So, I moved to the design department and practiced drawing with a pen tablet.

4: Costume Prop Department

This department makes armour out of leather, as well as shoes and creature's feet and arms out of silicon. The department also produces the flesh bands that are worn under the costumes.

My pen tablet practice went better than expected, so I moved on to costume props and asked leather expert Darin to show me how to produce original armour out of leather. At this time, Richard was away on a business trip, but Darin answered all my questions, no matter how trivial, so I was fully informed about the costume-making process.