Research: Mise en scene: costume, hair and make-up - Mrs. Quinlan

Costume helps the audience understand more about a character. It can guide the audience’s attention to particular personalities or traits. Costumes play a major role in movies as viewers can make assumptions about the virtue of characters and their background according to their cultural assumptions.

There are common conventions for costumes protagonists and antagonists wear which are very important to follow as the audience can infer who the antagonist and the protagonist is. For example antagonists are usually expected to wear suits that are fit on and light colored as it connotes innocence and naivety which are people who are prone to danger, whereas antagonists are expected to wear darker suits that are baggy as they convey mischief and danger.

These are what some colors signify:

Red: passion, love, blood, pain

Light colors: happiness, purity, vulnerable, innocence

Dark colors: sinister, danger, death, evil

                                                       
                                                           The Dark Knight (Joker)
Firstly in this image the close up shot helps the audience identify the jokers facial expression. The sinister smirk he has on his face creates an uneasy feeling for the audience as it is usually associated with negative connotations which tells us there is a darker side to this character as his smile is not genuine but in fact, uncomforting. Furthermore the identity of the jokers identity is hidden under the hair and make up which makes the reader question 'who is the joker.' The joker is wearing a suit which is an unconventional thing for an antagonist to wear as suits are associated with business men, but again in the movie we see that the joker sees his job as an important job, however, it is a scruffy, dirty and untidy suit which represents his persona and character representation. Although white signifies innocence, it is a dirty white and his makeup seems worn off  which creates a sense of danger;especially with the prison bars behind him. Also the the green waistcoat and red lipstick are no longer associated with happiness as the darkness in the colors just leave hatred and envy for the audience to see.


The damsel in distress from scream is a conventional damsel due to her costume, hair and make up. It is common for damsels to wear white as it represents purity, innocence and weakness. Moreover according to social norms, damsels are usually blonde and vulnerable which makes them a easy target which is why antagonists tend to target them first. Her makeup is subtle which shows her young age and inexperience.
                   



The two characters on each side are protagonist. The use of costume helps the audience infer they have an important job involving authorities as they are wearing bullet proof vests. Also they are smartly dressed in fit on suits which shows how serious their job is and shows their pride in it. However, the character in the middle contrasts the two other characters as he is wearing a prison outfit which immediately shows hes dangerous and an antagonist as two people are having to escort him. Moreover there is nothing to be said about makeup as they are make characters, however we see that the character on the left has plasters on his face which show he has been in danger and survived.