In the process of visual storytelling, costume can have specific functions in the total work, and the range possibilities is huge (Bordwell and Thompson 1997 p176). Costume through colour, style cut and fit ‘create a signifying system, the signs of which become distinctive features, functioning as linguistic units that are often more important than script or sound track’ (Celafato, P 2004 p 91). Through exploration of various cinematic examples of costumes designs and other photographic still shots of costume, the power of clothing as a tool of visual communication will be examined.
The style, cut and colour of a costume is a very powerful tool as these elements can visually reveal information about each character. As Celfato asserts, ‘like language in this sense, dress functions as a kind of ‘syntax’, according to a set of more or less constant rules. These rules allow a garment, and body coverings in general to acquire meaning’ (2004 p91). If we look at the 2007 film ‘Juno’, one can see the different meanings and visual information that costumes portray. The costume in this film are minimal but through subtle use of styling, cut and colour reveal information about each character and their respective personalities. Below are the costume designs of the two protagonist and what the meanings they convey.
Juno is the protagonist of the film who falls pregnant. The layered style of the clothing reflects Juno’s age and alternative personality. The red colour of her jumper acts as a visual metaphor for her vulnerable situation. It signifies both blood, life passion which alludes to her pregnant state. The label free simple designs of the clothing further reflect her middle/lower class socio-economic status.
Vanessa is another protagonist from the film who wants to adopt Junos child. Vanessa is dressed in very smart, fitted clothing. Her costume consists of a crisp white shirt layered by a conservative black v-neck sweeter, topped off with a pearl necklace. The costume conveys Vanessa’s conservative nature through the tradition buttoned shirt and classic jumper. She represents the typical suburban wife. The black and white colour symbolically signify Vanessa medical problems.The white and black are very sterile and represent her inability to have children and barren state.
Through analysis of the two costume designs from Juno, one can see how costuming assists the process of visual storytelling by revealing information about the characters and their personalities.
Furthermore, besides revealing social and cultural information about characters, costume may also ‘function to reinforce the films narrative and thematic patterns’ (Bordwell and Thompson 1997 p176). This is once again seen through the visual elements of style, colour and cut and the changing shape of costumes. In the photographic stills below one can see how the same costume manipulated in different ways can portray different visual meanings.
In the first picture, the character is properly dressed in a black dress with a scarf covering her neck. She appears confident and strong and in control. In the second still shot, the character is wearing the same black dress but the scarf is removed. She appears less confident and uneasy. In the third still, the dress is slightly pulled off the shoulder. In this shot the visual image of skin revealing makes the character look vulnerable. She appears to be out of control and weak. Through the slight changes in costume, by removing a scarf and pulling a sleave off a shoulder a visual journey is presented.
In the process of visual storytelling costume can also assist by placing the characters in a particular environment and era. For example, the costumes from the film ‘Chicago’ are stylized to the 1920′s era. The dresses, suits and other clothing match the era of the 20′s and 30′s and thereby place the film in the time context. This is further seen with costumes like police officer or other uniforms. These costumes affiliate the characters with certain power structures or social status and thus further assist the story telling process. For example the police uniform, gives the character attributes of authority and power whilst a prisoner uniform associates the character with dangerous and negative characteristics.
Indeed, it becomes clear, that costumes through their cut, style and colour assist the visual story telling process. This is due to the costumes power to evoke a sense of symbolism, meaning and contextualize characters.
Reference list.
Bordwell, D. & Thompson, K. 1997, Film Art, 5th edition, McGraw-Hill, New York.
Celafato, P. 2004, Clothed Body, Oxford Berg Publishers, viewed 31st oct, http://site.ebrary.com/lib/utslibrary/Doc?id=10146601&ppg=15
