McGrew Studios

Specialty Costumes, Production Design and Fabrication for the Creative Industries

Specialty Design, Fabrication & Production for the Creative Industries

Tailoring

Custom Mascot: Ogden-Weber Area Technical College’s “Randy Robotech”

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Ogden-Weber Applied Technical College (OWATC) is the first trade-tech school in Utah to develop a branded mascot to promote its educational mission and programs.

Robert Hirschi, multimedia journalist for the Salt Lake Tribune, presents a behind-the-scenes account of some of the steps in this creative process as well as the people behind it. Interviewed are OWATC creative directors Brock Porter and Jenny Everson, plus costume maker Jen McGrew with Katrina Kirkland-Cornia.

His documentary details the mascot from concept to realized costume for OWATC’s performer to wear at job fairs, parades, etc.

2002, courtesy of Salt Lake Tribune archived servers.

Producing, Production and Costume Design: FLIGHT FROM SHADOW

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September 6, 2015

Inspired by Robert Jordan’s epic Wheel of Time series, Flight From Shadow is our 2013 non-monetized short film with big production values.

“Flight From Shadow.” Our Wheel of Time inspired film. 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9KHYk6bjIw

Originally released on Epic Level TV’s Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/epicleveltv (which disappeared mysteriously, some time ago), these two videos can now still be seen through the McGrew Studios’ YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5VyQpzn9jEd0UPhybsxHmA

ABOUT THE MAKING OF FLIGHT FROM SHADOW:

Our film’s screenplay by Blake Casselman is based on critical moments from an early chapter of The Eye of the World, first in the epic Wheel of Time book series by Robert Jordan. Brandon Sanderson, BYU professor of literature and renowned author, finished the book series after Jordan’s death.

The Wheel of 9 Production company was formed, with executive producer Hraefn Wulfson and coproducer Jennifer McGrew overseeing the film’s extensive preproduction. Our shops designed and crafted the costumes, sets, props, miniatures and practical effects. McGrews donated the workspace as well as funding to purchase the needed fabrics, leathers and costume materials plus lumber and hardware for sets and props construction.

Staff, interns and friends in our creative community donated many hours to build the film’s physical assets. Dedicated, Utah-based filmmakers, actors, fx artists and technical crew generously gave their time, expertise and equipment to this entire project! You can see the complete cast and crew credits on the film’s IMDB page here.

Our Flight From Shadow rough-cut debuted in February 2013 to excited audiences at Provo’s famous fantasy and speculative fiction literary conference, LTUE (Life, the Universe and Everything).

The final version of Flight from Shadow debuted on September 6, 2013 at Salt Lake Comic Con, along with … And The Wheel Turned, a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of the film.

Both of these films are free for everyone to enjoy and share:)

On the Flight from Shadow set. Mat and Rand, ready to run, in full costume.

Talk’aran’rhiod: The Wheel of Time Showcast

https://www.talkaranrhiod.com/podcast/episode/48cfaee8/86-interview-from-shadow

April 26, 2021

Joe Perry, Jen Isgro and Tom Cocozza, prolific podcasters and Wheel of Time fans, interview Flight From Shadow‘s producers Hraefn Wulfson and Jennifer McGrew who share memories, insights and behind-the-scenes anecdotes about their making of the 2013 film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myFCGun_c-8&t=25s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9KHYk6bjIw

“Flight From Shadow.” Our Wheel of Time inspired film. 2012.
About the ‘making of’ our Wheel of Time inspired film, “Flight from Shadow.”

Custom Pageant Costumes:

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Glamour, Made to Order

Inspired by a Vivienne Westwood design, this ensemble shows off custom panniers on a fitted basque, a petite corseted bodice with an additional side zipper plus a cool hair fascinator by Melissa Welinsky. Not shown here are the custom rouched briefs we also made out of the same great plaid taffeta.

Pageant costumes must be unique and stunning, because prizes, money, scholarships and fame are all at stake in these competitions.

We wanted to show you this particular example from 2011 that our client commissioned for her talent number – because she is also a champion bagpiper.
She brought us some great reference photos of the original Vivienne Westwood design and this plaid gown was SO great during her bagpipe performance! So awesome.

Custom Jacobean Period Dress

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Custom Jacobean period ensemble for a professional musician who plays “the greatest hits of the past 500 years.” Cartridge-pleated skirt and overskirt, over a bum-roll, with a boned bodice and linen blouse. Fabrics are linen, linen/rayon blends and silk.

Iconic Film Replicas

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Another pic from the archives….   custom costumes of these two iconic musical theater / film characters.

Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett costumes created by McGrews
Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett costumes created by McGrews
For him we made a custom double-breasted vest, high waisted trousers, coat and accessories. For her,  a custom chemise, corset, skirt and accessories. Private clients.

 Here they are in our Hallway, in full costume and makeup, ready to hit the town:)

The sculpture on the wall behind them is by the amazing Cordell Taylor, formerly our neighbor on Pierpont Avenue.