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| An Interview with Costume Designer AGGIE RODGERS |
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| Q: How did you get the job as a costume designer for American Graffiti? AR: I had a masters in costume design for theatre from Cal State Long Beach and was interested in working in films. I got an interview with the production manager James Hogan, through the union. I remember him asking me what I knew about, "dragging the main." That's what we called cruisin' back then. I told him I was very familiar with it [laughs]. Q: You were about 19-years-old in 1962. Where did you drag the main? AR: I grew up in Fresno, CA. I use to cruise with my sister in her '54 Ford that was painted cherry/ blue. Q: Do you remember which streets? AR: Yes, Shields Avenue and Blackstone. I also remember there was a public pool and across the street a drive-in called Stan's where everybody hung out. [Editor's note: From the late 1940s through early 1960s, Stan's Drive-in and coffee shop was a popular California chain, owned by entrepreneur Stan Burke, with 9 roadside eateries in Bakersfield, Fresno, Sacramento and Los Angeles]. Q: How did you prepare for the film? AR: I read the script several times, spoke to actors, got their sizes, and then went shopping. I went to every Goodwill store I could find. I even had my mom in Fresno shop the Goodwill stores for me. Nowadays, they have all these vintage clothing stores but back then you could find just about anything there. Q: Were you paid a flat fee? AR: No I was paid and hourly rate. I know there wasn't a lot of money in the budget but everyone was happy with what they were paid. I remember we worked out of one small motor home that was used for make-up, wardrobe, and hair. Q: In the film, what kind of shirt is Richard Dreyfuss' character, Curt wearing? AR: That is a madras plaid sport shirt. I bought two of those at Brooks Brothers. In the early seventies men's shirt collars were really large so I cut the collars on the shirts to match the early-sixties time period. His pants are khakis from J.C. Penny. Q: Charlie Martin-Smith's, character Terry wears an interesting bowling shirt. AR: That's not a bowling shirt. It's something I designed. I showed George [Lucas] that style of shirt with different fabric. It had a specific neckline and two buttons. I designed it, he chose the colors. Q: It's a great look and fits his character perfectly. AR: Thank you. I remember his shoes were too big. We couldn't find white bucks that fit him properly. |
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| Stan's drive-in was a popular hangout for Aggie Rodgers and other Fresno teens. Originally located on the corner of Sacramento & Broadway Ave. |