Mise en scene - costume, inc. hair & make-up

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

2. 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 identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)

3. 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.

4. 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 identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)

5. 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 identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)

6. THX 1138, (George Lucas, 1971)
To be able to identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)

7. How does the costume suggest a change in character?
What does it seem similar to?
Miss Congeniality, (Donald Petrie, 2000)
To be able to identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)

8. 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 identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)

9. 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 identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)

10. 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 identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)

11. 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 identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)

12. 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 identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)

13. 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 identify costume and describe its effect (level 2)
To be able to analyse costume and explain its effect (level 3)
To be able to evaluate costume and justify its effect (level 4)