What do the following styles say about the people who wear them?

Costumeincluding hair & make-up

Costume is another important aspect of a film and the range of possibilities is huge. It can...

• Denote the time or place that the film is set in• Call attention to graphic qualities through stylisation• Determine characters• Show narrative progression

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

Learning Objective:To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

Level Grade Descriptor

2 D/E To be able to identify costume and describe its effect.

3 B/C To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect.

4 A To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect.

Level Grade Descriptor

2 D/E Basic understanding of the way that mise-en-scène is used to construct representation.

3 B/C Proficient understanding of the way that mise-en-scène is used to construct representation.

4 A Excellent understanding of the way that mise-en-scène is used to construct representation.

What does the costume indicate about the characters?

What period do the costumes suggest the film is set in?

Sense & Sensibility, (Ang Lee, 1995) Boogie Nights, (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1997)

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

The Fifth Element, (Luc Besson, 1997) employed the services of famous fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier in order to create the futuristic outfits worn by the characters.

The costumes for the film were very extravagant, as to be expected from such a designer. What impact do these have on the way an audiences views a character? How do they influence meaning?

The Fifth Element, (Luc Besson, 1997)

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

THX 1138, (George Lucas, 1971)

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

How does the costume suggest a change in character?

What does it seem similar to?

Miss Congeniality, (Donald petrie, 2000)

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

Milla Jovovich plays Leeloo, the key to saving the Earth. At the start of the film she is a very fragile being, needing the help of Korben Dallas, (played by Bruce Willis) to help and protect her.

By the final chapter of the narrative Leeloo has become stronger and, although still fragile, able to defend her self. How is this change shown in her costume? Why do you think it has been designed in this way?

The Fifth Element, (Luc Besson, 1997)

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

In the film Equilibrium, (Kurt Wimmer, 2002) Christian Bale plays a Cleric whose duty it is to capture sense offenders. In this futuristic landscape it is unlawful to feel, thus preventing emotion and hopefully war.

By the end of the film John Preston has begun to feel himself and challenges the government and its leader. What elements of the costume help the audience to understand the cleric’s motivations? How does his costume change indicate the characters progression?

Equilibrium, (Kurt Wimmer, 2002)

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

Women In Love, (Ken Russell, 1969)

What do the colour of the costumes suggest?

How do the costumes give information about the characters and their relationships?

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

Make-up

In Speed, Sandra Bullock’s eyeliner, shadow, and arched brows make her eyes vivid and give her an alert expression.

For the same scene, the eyeliner on Keanu Reeves makes the upper edges of his eyes stand out. Note the somewhat fierce slope of the eyebrows, accentuating his slight frown.

Speed, (Jan de Bont, 1994)

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

Make-up

Kim Basinger plays Lynn Bracken in the 1997 film L.A. Confidential (Curtis Hanson), a call girl involved in the murders the protagonist detectives are investigating.

What is particularly striking about her image? What does this image compare to? How does this reflect the characters role in the film and symbolise the inevitable end for the protagonists?

L.A. Confidential, (Curtis Hanson, 1997)

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.

Darth Maul is now an archetypal character of the Star Wars series, epitomising the dark Sith lords.

What effect does his make-up have on the audience? Why do you think the designers chose this look?

Star wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace, (George Lucas, 1999)

To be able to understand how costume can create meaning.