Behind the Scenes: Tom Broecker, Mastermind behind 'Saturday Night Live' Costumes, Opens up about Season 48 Episode featuring Aubrey Plaza
Rewrite:
Hey there, folks! It's a pleasure to once again bring in the one and only, Saturday Night Live costume mastermind Tom Broecker. Morning, buddy!
Tom Broecker: Oh, it's the crack of dawn for you, but it's more like brunch time for me...
Spencer Williams: Well, you're a busy bee, so this is the only time I can grab ya before you dive back into work!
Tom Broecker: Spot on!
Spencer Williams: Congrats on yet another Costume Designer Guild Award nomination in "Excellence in Variety, Reality-Competition, or Live Television." Making it nine times is quite the record, huh? How does it feel to be recognized once again, especially by the Costume Designer's Guild?
Tom Broecker: annual honors like this mean a lot because the accolade comes from fellow costume designers who truly understand and appreciate the craft. There's just something unique about receiving recognition from those who share your passion.
Spencer Williams: You’re being acknowledged by the absolute best of the best!
Tom Broecker: Exactly!
Spencer Williams: Let's rewind the clock to SNL Season 48 and take a closer look at episode ten, hosted by Aubrey Plaza, featuring musical guest Sam Smith. There were some seriously hilarious skits in this one, but before we dig in, let's talk about the introduction of the George Santos character. How was it working with Bowen Yang on the initial costume for this iconic character?
Tom Broecker: Designing the distinctive look for George Santos wasn't too challenging, considering his unique style. Bowen Yang is an absolute pleasure to work with - he's intuitive, imaginative, and always brings great ideas to the table. The glasses play a crucial role, and the sweater with the jacket adds an extra layer of ridiculously fabulous fashion. Recently, we bid George Santos a dramatic farewell, and it was a hoot to see him sporting a cape. Who knew he'd ever wear a cape?
Spencer Williams: That's hilarious! Bowen Yang is definitely willing to dive deep into his characters and give it his all. We recently chatted with Valerie Klarich, who worked with him on Dicks: The Musical, and she had similar sentiments.
Tom Broecker: Absolutely! If he trusts you, he's ready to take on any challenge.
Spencer Williams: Speaking of Aubrey Plaza skits... The first one up was the Miss Universe pageant. There were plenty of stunning gowns!
Tom Broecker: This particular episode focused on various types of performances, so pageants were a natural fit. With each nation's representation, we aimed to incorporate creative, eye-catching gowns inspired by real-life pageants. Rapid design adjustments are par for the course on SNL, and thankfully, we were able to make alterations up until the last minute.
Spencer Williams: With the real pageant just having taken place,designing the gowns must have come together rather quickly.
Tom Broecker: Absolutely! SNL offers the flexibility to make alterations right up until the show airs. Even during the live show, we can make changes on the fly if needed - a feature that keeps things fresh and exciting!
Spencer Williams: Talk about a pressure cooker! Your blood pressure must skyrocket.
Tom Broecker: When you're in control, though, it helps maintain a sense of calm. It's all about acting like a professional, especially when the actors are panicking. Adding to the chaos wouldn't help the situation.
Spencer Williams: Switching gears to the Black Lotus Hotel - a recreation of our beloved White Lotus. It was a vibrant, colorful sketch filled with costumes that we adore. The White Lotus costume designer Alex Bovaird, receive a shout-out! Take us behind the scenes to creating the Black Lotus, one of my favorite sketches in a hot minute.
Tom Broecker: The writers did a fantastic job of shifting the perspective to a Black-oriented setting for the Black Lotus. Designing the hotel's costumes took around 24 to 40 hours, depending on the project's needs. Sometimes, that extra 12 hours is much appreciated.
Spencer Williams: I would’ve killed to be on your team!
Tom Broecker: Exactly. They work magic and manage to produce breathtaking outfits in record time.
Spencer Williams: Avatar was another sketch packed with variety. As a massive Avatar nerd, I was thrilled with the sketch. I kept wondering how Aubrey Plaza managed to cover herself in all that blue paint. But then, when the lights turned on, it all fell into place. Oh, yeah!
Tom Broecker: That was a mind-bending challenge. To create the Avatar look in a short amount of time, we had to reverse-engineer the technology used in the sketch. Starting with the color wheel, we ensured that every color was reversed, from feathers to accessories. With production design, we studied pictures and focused on details like loincloths, feathers, and beads, which had about 15 colors. It was a complex mental puzzle, but the end result was mesmerizing.
Spencer Williams: Aubrey Plaza's transformation left me stunned! I had just seen her as April Ludgate on Weekend Update seconds before, and I thought, "Maybe it's not live." It felt like an upside-down moment.
Tom Broecker: It is live! To pull off the costume changes, Aubrey had to find time to get ready, usually within two and a half minutes - definitely cutting it close!
Spencer Williams: Joining SNL has given you the opportunity to learn and experiment with new things, right?
Tom Broecker: Yup, every show presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. This project, in particular, was a considerable learning experience, pushing the boundaries with technology and collaboration. Despite my numerous years of experience, I'm still learning something new with each show.
Spencer Williams: The final sketch we'll discuss heavily involved color: the black and white film noir sketch starring Aubrey Plaza and Sharon Stone.
Tom Broecker: Sharon Stone was fantastic! When you have an actress like Sharon Stone on the show, you want to highlight her talent in a sketch. Designing the outfits for this classic film noir parody was a challenge due to the monochromatic theme, but we managed to create something stunning.
Spencer Williams: It was a great episode! SNL lovers should definitely rewatch it!
Tom Broecker: I couldn't agree more. Saturday Night Live never disappoints!
Spencer Williams: Well, Saturday Night Live isn't the only thing on your plate. Are there any other projects the public needs to know about?
Tom Broecker: Apart from SNL, there's the Mean Girls movie musical currently in theaters. Off-Broadway, there's a production of Little Shop of Horrors starring Evan Rachel Wood. I'll be discussing costumes at the Metropolitan Opera for a production in September. I like to keep busy!
Spencer Williams: Thank you so much for joining us again, costume designer extraordinaire Tom Broecker! It's always a pleasure to chat with you.
Tom Broecker: Thank you! It's my pleasure as well!
In the realm of entertainment and pop-culture, Tom Broecker, the mastermind behind Saturday Night Live's costume design, continues to impress as he is nominated yet again for the Costume Designer Guild Award. His ingenious work with celebrities such as Aubrey Plaza and Bowen Yang has also been acknowledged in 'movies-and-tv', contributing to the broader tapestry of the industry. Moreover, his creativity extends to various projects outside of SNL, including thecurrently playing Mean Girls movie musical and the Metropolitan Opera's upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors.
