Sica Schmitz

Sica Schmitz

From Sequim to Hollywood: Costumer to the stars

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.

Sorry, the video player failed to load.(Error Code: 101102)

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.

More in Life

Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group
LaRue Robirts shows one of the quilts she made for Toys for Sequim Kids on Dec. 17 at Sequim Prairie Grange. By her count, she’s made and donated more than 1,400 quilts to community efforts.
Quilter uses experience to donate work to children in need

LaRue Robirts, 90, says she’s made more than 1,400 quilts

A GROWING CONCERN: Work now to avoid garden problems later

WITH THE SEVEN reasons to prune last week, you should be ready… Continue reading

Eva McGinnis
Unity speaker set for Sunday

The Rev. Eva McGinnis will present “Living Our Prime… Continue reading

Bode scheduled for OUUF weekend program

The Rev. Bruce Bode will present “Ritual Pause” at… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: A photograph of a place, a memory and a feeling

THEY SAY A picture is worth a thousand words. Recently, while looking… Continue reading

Tim Branham, left, his wife Mickey and Bill Pearl work on a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle entitled “Days to Remember.” The North Olympic Library at its main branch on South Peabody Street in Port Angeles sponsored a jigsaw puzzle contest on Saturday, and 15 contestants challenged their skills. With teams of two to four, contestants try to put together a puzzle in a two-hour time limit. Justin Senter and Rachel Cook finished their puzzle in 54 minutes to win the event. The record from past years is less than 40 minutes. The next puzzle contest will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 8. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Piece by piece

Jigsaw puzzle contest in Port Angeles

HORSEPLAY: Planning can help prevent disaster in an emergency

ISN’T IT TRUE in life, when one door closes and appears locked… Continue reading

A GROWING CONCERN: In pruning, why and where matter

WELL, DAY 10 still has no frost and the mild temperatures are… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Freedom and the stranger

FREEDOM AND OPPRESSION are at the very heart of the Torah portions… Continue reading

Jamal Rahman will discuss teaching stories and sacred verses that transformed his life at 11 a.m. Sunday. Rahman will be the guest speaker at Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship speaker set

Jamal Rahman will present “Spiritual Wisdom and Practices for… Continue reading

Pastor Omer Vigoren set for retirement

Bethany Pentecostal Church will honor retiring pastor the Rev.… Continue reading

The Rev. Glenn Jones
Unity in Olympics program scheduled

The Rev. Glenn Jones will present “Come Alive in… Continue reading