So many times I get asked what is the appropriate dress for an interview for a job in film production. A lot of times dress depends on where you will be working in the production because you should be dressing for that department. For example, wardrobe person would be more stylish than a grip or electrician.
A person in publicity definitely wears a higher standard compared to a person in editing. When considering your dress you have to use common sense, but read on as I have delineated this dilemma into a simple impression, which has helped others.
A college campus may be the perfect place for you to showcase your flair for the latest in fashion, but a production manager's office is not, so sandals and sweatshirts are out. While business suits are still appropriate for corporate jobs, when you're interviewing for a film production or at a studio you have to dress the part. A man should wear khakis and a polo shirt or shirt and tie not too fancy. Shoes should be conservative, clean, and hole-free. A woman should wear a skirt or khaki pants (or appropriate style of the time), a cotton blouse, and flats. You don't have to be overly conservative, but you shouldn't be overly casual either. You should be doing the talking, not your clothes.
This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. If you need new clothes, go for quality rather than quantity. Two or three well-chosen interview outfits should be sufficient until you actually get a job. You could probably get away with only one, so long as you make sure to keep it cleaned and pressed. It's a good idea, however, to have a second, because if you are called back for a second interview by the same person you wont want to wear the same outfit.
If you're still not sure about how to dress for the interview, call and ask! Don't call the interviewer, but call the Human Resources Department and say: "I have an interview with ______in the ______department for a position as a ________. Could you please tell me what would be appropriate dress for this interview?" You run the risk of someone in Human Resources thinking you're a social imbecile, but that's a lot better than distracting the interview with clothes that are inappropriate.
I was told a story of one person preparing for an interview went to a friend who worked in a wardrobe department at a major studio. She was outfitted for the interview and got the job. So, it's okay to be creative in your dress, but before you head to the interview get feedback from friends whom opinions you regard.