Designers Branch Membership Requirements – Costume Designers
From Academy Bylaws:
Article III, Section 1. Membership shall be by invitation of the Board of Governors. Invitations to active membership shall be limited to those persons employed by motion picture producing companies, or credited with screen achievements, or who have otherwise achieved distinction in their respective fields of endeavor within the industry and who, in the opinion of the Board, are qualified for membership.
To be considered for invitation to membership in the Designers Branch of the Academy, an individual must:
(a) have at least five years experience in the motion picture industry, two of which shall have been in one of the various classifications within the branch,
and
(b) have screen credits* as Art Director, Set Decorator or Costume Designer on at least four feature films of a caliber which, in the opinion of the executive committee, reflect the high standards of the Academy,
and/or
(c) have screen credit on a picture nominated for the Production Design or Costume Design Award,
or
(d) have, in the judgment of the Designers Branch Executive Committee, otherwise achieved unique distinction, earned special merit or made an outstanding contribution within his or her field of endeavors.
and
(e) in addition, a letter of recommendation from both of the sponsoring members is required on behalf of the candidate.
* Paragraphs (b) and (c) shall not pertain to those crafts within the branch which do not receive screen credits.
