Exploring the Vibrant Realm of 'Twisted Metal' with Costume Designer Liz Vastola in an Exclusive Q&A Session
Carving through unchartered territory!
Tearing up the script with Twisted Metal's spectacular costume mastermind—Liz Vastola—we dared to breach the secretive process behind the glorious fashion embodiment of the striking television adaptation that follows the timeless video game series sensation.
Feeling the electrifying current of pure enthusiasm, Spencer Williams, a self-acclaimed gaming guru, sat down with Liz, to discuss the exhilarating journey of transforming the jaw-dropping, post-apocalyptic universe and its fascinating characters into reality, all while preserving the ravishing essence of each character's personality within the attire. Touching on the chaotic, vibrant, and captivating Twisted Metal costume design, Liz's enlightening insights shone the limelight on the creativity and imagination that fueled the breathtaking show.
Spencer Williams: Yeah, dude! Twisted Metal, it's been a lifelong dream to connect with the artist straight from the design trenches. As a retro-gaming zealot, the moment I caught wind of this badass series hitting the small screen, I knew I had to sit down for an honest-to-goodness conversation with the costume designer genius behind it all. So here we are! I'm buzzing!
Liz Vastola: When I first got wind of the project, I said to myself, "Clear my schedule!"
Spencer Williams: I'm diggin' it, I'm a huge fan of the series and your work, honestly. This show drops into our world, giving birth to a twisted world, gorgeous characters, what's it been like launching it onto the world and seeing the reaction from enthusiasts old and new?
Liz Vastola: Man, it's been a whirlwind, but real exciting! The fan response has been mostly positive, and we seem to captivate even those who haven't been game devotees since the 90s. To engage such an audience has been absolutely incandescent!
Spencer Williams: There's something for everyone, even if you've never crossed paths with the original game. Let's dig in! What was your familiarity like with Twisted Metal before jumping on board?
Liz Vastola: I'm no stranger to video game design, I salute the creativity and ingenuity in those worlds. Everyone growin' up in the 80s and 90s had a dazzling slice of nostalgia, and when I got this golden ticket to transform the story into something tangible... it was a dream come true!
Spencer Williams: Steppin' into the fantastical world of twisted metal, how did the Y2K-influence shape your approach to the series as a whole?
Liz Vastola: From the jump, the vision was to stunningly contrast this post-apocalyptic show against others in its genre, breathing life into a vibrant and outrageous story that reflected characters like masses would meet in video games. We knocked the opportunity to echo the fantastical vision of this world on its head, making it uniquely ours.
When it came to the Y2K-era, we took delight in paying homage to the time when the game was first conceived and born, drawing on the power of nostalgia to bring our own personal flair to the table.
Spencer Williams: The hippie in me adores that creative approach, meeting these insane, colorful characters just like we'd meet 'em in a video game! I'm all here for it! Let's dive into some major characters, first up: John Doe, Anthony Mackie's sleek and charming portrayal! His character's costume, featuring that iconic Hi-C shirt, had me cackling like a mad wombat!
Liz Vastola: Hahaha, I'm so glad you felt the same! Logos and branding are a rarity in the industry, and we relished the chance to work with them on this project, which paid tribute to the 90s and Y2K eras, the heyday of branded apparel like Big Dog, No Fear, Reebok, and Nike.
The John Doe costume is crafted around the likeness of his car, Evelyn, whose colors dictated our color palette. We aimed to keep the vest's emphasis subdued, drawing attention to Mackie's remarkable performance instead. Fashioned from an extraordinary French company, I Heart Tetris (Under The Sign), we aimed to breathe a dash of a post-apocalyptic, reclaimed vibe into the piece.
Spencer: Eeee, I absolutely cracked up—looking at John Doe in that throwback Hi-C shirt gives me the chills!
Liz Vastola: I just love how supportive the team was. Given that Peacock and Sony opened the doors for us to bring in as many original, branded elements into the mix, we were ridiculously lucky!
Spencer Williams: Stephanie Beatriz is an absolute boss in Quiet, bare with me here, but with the pain behind her eyes, you can almost smell the agony through her costume, can't you?
Liz Vastola: That war-worn jacket is the literal embodiment of her character's journey and trauma—Golden Goose Eggs (Under The Sign) salvaged dead stock fabric for a look that's equal parts theatrical and off-beat. It's a fitting ode to Logan O'Connor (her big brother), merging the pain of loss andstrength into one unique jacket. The rest of the look was subtly curated around it.
Spencer Williams: Yessir, that jacket truly tells the story, a fascinating blend of characterization, narrative, and fashion!
Spencer Williams: The moment we've all been waiting for—Sweet Tooth breaks onto the scene! A fan-favorite character, bringing this iconic video game character to life was no small feat!
Liz Vastola: There was immense pressure, as we had our eyes on the expectations of the faithful fan base. We had to find the right iteration of his appearance while making it work seamlessly on Samoa Joe (Joe Seanoa). Unsurprisingly, the suit was largely custom-built, from the mask (sculpted in the traditional clay method) to the mask's postmaster trip across town, it was a clownfest!
Spencer Williams: I appreciate the insane lengths you went to for the little details, it gives the fans something real to hold on to!
Liz Vastola: It's all about making the process of creation as enjoyable as possible. The collaboration was absolutely off the chain. Breaking new ground with these spectacular outfits is like a dance in the unknown, and it's only possible with a team that delivers blind loyalty and dedication!
Spencer Williams: Liz, thank you for sharing your journey and insights with us all! Be confident in the magnificent work you did and have faith that fans embrace the intricate details that go into making a show like this come to life!
Liz Vastola: Thanks for having me, I'm grateful for what we were able to create, and that the audience is engaging with it in such a fervent manner. The process of crafting these fantastical worlds is such a privilege—keeping the fans at heart has been my guiding light.
Twisted Metal is Now Streaming on Peacock
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
The creative process behind the Twisted Metal television adaptation is driven by unity, creativity, and innovation as the costume design team bridged the gap between the outrageous visuals of the video game series and the Y2K era's retro-futuristic aesthetic. Featuring interviews with costume designers unveiled how costume creators work hand-in-hand with production designers and artisans to set the distinctive tone for the show's universe[1].
Key Influences and Approaches
- Video Game Visuals: The costumes draw inspiration from the exaggerated and recognizable silhouettes, vibrant colors, and notable character elements found in contemporary cosplays/props of the iconic Twisted Metal universe, amplifying its otherworldly elements in the live-action adaptation[1][2].
- Y2K Era Influence: The fashion of the early 2000s (Y2K era) is defined by its futuristic, sometimes chaotic and tech-inspired apparel—boasting sleek metallic fabrics, nostalgic graphics, and sporty or tech-inspired accessories. Incorporating these retro-futuristic influences into the costumes in the television adaptation works to compensate for the time gap between the original game's release and the show's contemporary story[1][3].
- Collaboration and Craftsmanship: Costume designers meticulously research, design, and building prototypes to blend the exaggerated, video game-inspired visuals with Y2K aesthetics into tangible, wearable costumes that not only authenticate the original source material but give the characters a unique on-screen presence[1].
Summary Table: Influences on Costume Design
| Influence | Description ||--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|| Video Game Visuals | Globally-recognized silhouettes, vibrant colors, and character elements || Y2K Era Aesthetic | Futuristic, metallic fabrics, and tech-inspired accessories/n ote 1. Bold, || | sophisticated skirts, and statement jewelry || Collaboration | Alignment with production designers and artisans for analytics fusion |
ConclusionThe costume design for Twisted Metal weaves together the essential characteristics of the original game's artistic design, the Y2K-era aesthetics, and meticulous collaboration with the production and art departments, resulting in a dynamic, immersive, and visually stunning on-screen universe that celebrates both the original source material and the contemporary viewing audience[1][2][3].
Spencer Williams: This show has such a unique blend of old and new, and it's really exciting to see it all come together, especially in the costume design. It's almost like watching your favorite movies-and-tv shows and video games collide.
Liz Vastola: Absolutely! Costume design is a big part of entertainment, and with Twisted Metal, we aimed to capture the essence of both movies-and-tv and video games, while also making costume design costumes that are unique to the show. The process of designing the costumes for this series has been a fantastic opportunity to explore how costume design can integrate elements from both entertainment realms.
