PORT TOWNSEND — As a Hollywood costumer, Sica Schmitz has seen plenty: glamorous movie premieres, demanding directors, stars who are fabulous.
But for this 28-year-old from Sequim, the major thrill came last week: a private screening of “Safety Not Guaranteed,” a new release shown at the Rose Theatre in Port Townsend.
The people who matter were there: Schmitz’s family and longtime friends, watching the movie together.
“It was so wonderful,” she said.
Schmitz was a set costumer on “Safety Not Guaranteed,” now showing at the Lincoln Theater, 132 E. First St. in Port Angeles.
That means she toiled six long days a week for four weeks in spring 2011, making sure every piece of clothing, every accessory, every complete ensemble looked exactly right in each scene.
“I am not a big deal at all,” Schmitz said.
“There are a lot of people who do what I do” in Los Angeles.
Still, “I was really proud of the way the movie turned out.”
Sica — short for Jessica — is the daughter of Eileen and the late real estate broker Jace Schmitz, who died in January at age 65. Her family moved to Sequim when she was just 10.
After earning a degree in art and art history from Willamette University, she continued down a path some might call pipe-dreamy.
Schmitz studied fashion design in New York City, then pursuing a career in the movies.
That dream has come to fruition. She has a list of movies under her belt, a job on the crew of the ABC-TV series “Castle” and now, with “Safety Not Guaranteed,” a major studio release.
The film, which one critic described as a “sci-fi rom-com,” stars Aubrey Plaza as a magazine intern and Mark Duplass as the guy whose classified ad is seeking “someone to go back in time with me.”
“This is a warm movie in cynical disguise, a story that takes a handful of thoroughly modern characters, places them in a classic screwball comedy plot, and lets nature take its course,” writes Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times.
“This was definitely a step up,” Schmitz said.
“I’ve done a lot of independent films,” but “Safety” is another story. It won the top screenplay award at the Sundance Film Festival — “everybody was on their feet” for that, Schmitz said.
Her life in Hollywood so far has been a rich one, she added, thanks to those she’s worked with.
They include “Safety Not Guaranteed” designer Rebecca Luke, whose skill and connections made the movie look far better than its slim costume budget.
Another friend and colleague is makeup artist Barney Burman, winner of the Academy Award for 2009’s “Star Trek.”
Schmitz made the dress Burman’s then-wife, Shielu, wore to the Oscars.
Growing up in Sequim, Schmitz said, gave her a good foundation for this rough-and-tumble career.
“You get to have a slower childhood; you get to know people on a deeper level,” she said.
Employers have hired her, she feels, because they liked her, and liked her sincerity.
While Schmitz worked under Luke on “Safety,” she was the primary costume designer for “Shuffle,” another sci-fi thriller about a man who keeps waking up at different times in his life.
“We’re hoping to have a screening up there,” on the North Olympic Peninsula, she said.
That would, naturally, delight her mom, Eileen Schmitz, who is proud of her daughter’s career — and character.
She’s a reflection of her father, Eileen said.
“Sica is a kind person, has a tremendous work ethic and is truly hilarious,” she added, and “in those ways I see so much of Jace in her.”
Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
