With more than 15 years of experience as a costume designer, Mayes Rubeo is so proud of her latest project, the movie John Carter, based on Edgar Rice Borroughs’ first novel, “A Princess of Mars,” an adventure epic set on the wounded planet of Mars, a world inhabited by warrior tribes and exotic desert beings, which opens in theaters on March 9.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Rubeo knew from an early age her true calling in life. “I always wanted to be a designer. I didn’t know I was going to be a costume designer. I wanted to be involved with clothes and fashion. I always wanted it to be part of my life,” she said.

It is very important for Rubeo to sit down with the director and “hear his vision and try to accomplish that” as part of the process of designing costumes for a movie. In this case, she feels lucky to be working with the director, Andrew Stanton, who she calls “an unbelievable filmmaker.” Rubeo explains Stanton is always looking for dialog, and he always has constructive advice. She adds, “You get motivated to do more when you work with a person like that because you feel appreciated, and you feel you want to give more to the project. He really makes you fall in love with the project.”

When asked if she favors a character over others, she says, “All my costumes are my children, so I can’t really have a favorite. I love them all.” And with so many period/tribal/sci-fi movies on her resume, Rubeo wants to make sure she’s not classified as just that kind of costume designer. “As costume designers, we can do anything they want us to do, but filmmakers have to believe that the person that they hire is capable, that’s all.” she added.

Although Rubeo’s career has had it share of both independent and big budget films, she insist that besides the size, and the budget, they are not so different to work in. Because you “know your limits,” so the process and the product doesn’t get affected. “When you put your heart and soul [into a project, then it becomes your project too, and I think anybody that works in the film should feel that way,” she said proudly.

Rubeo wants future generation of filmmakers to know the business, to watch many movies, and to be brave. She says, “Ask. Ask a filmmaker to give you an opportunity. Just ask, and keep asking. There’ll be somebody that will always give you an opportunity. And do not support piracy!”

John Carter hits theaters this Friday, March 9, 2012.

Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images North America 

Watch an EXCLUSIVE 10 Minute Scene from John Carter