You possibly can inform quite a bit a couple of character from the garments they put on. A crown on a head can signify royalty, simply as a patch on the knee of a pair of denims would possibly allude to poverty. A medal pinned to a chest would possibly sign bravery—or the determined want to look that means. And a radioactive lizard swimsuit would possibly trace at a miniature metropolis quickly below assault. As viewers members, we perceive the indicators and symbols of costume and the way they relate to he story being informed. And in order actors, we will use this understanding to craft higher and extra thought of characters. Let’s discuss costume for actors.
Relying on the extent of manufacturing, actors have various levels of management over their alternative of costume, and what it’d say about their character. Costume can denote time interval, class, occupation and even persona of your character. In productions the place costumes could be chosen by the actor, issues should be made that intensify the character with out feeling too apparent to the viewers.
On this article, we’ll cowl a number of fundamental information round costume, and study the variations between costume for stage and display screen. Lastly, we’ll converse to some extra expansive concepts about methods to discover your character inside the best way they costume. It’s a type of areas that each one too typically goes unconsidered by actors, which is a disgrace: it’s an important place to discover a personality and convey them to life!
What’s Costume?
Costume is the clothes worn by a performer for a efficiency. Most individuals have a tendency to think about it when it comes to performing, however it could actually lengthen to the selection of clothes chosen by, say, a musician for a efficiency on stage. Costume has been part of drama so long as all the opposite points of the shape: you possibly can hint a transparent line by way of historical past from the helmets of the Star Wars stormtroopers to the masks of actors in Historic Greece.
The phrase itself could be traced again to the Latin phrase consuetudo, that means “customized” or “utilization”. Its extra modern roots in seventeenth century Italian and French liken it to the English phrase “customized”—that means {that a} costume is of the fashion, the style. To some extent, this utilization carries by way of immediately: a fancy dress is the right clothes for a selected time or place. For an actor, the costume is what their character wears on stage or display screen. For a mourner at a funeral, the costume is formal and black. And for a police officer, the costume is a uniform.
Costume in Skilled Productions
Costume is a vitally vital a part of any modern manufacturing—be it stage or display screen. As costumes adorn the actors who take up most of our attentions when watching a story unfold, they’re extraordinarily seen half’s of a manufacturing’s design. For that reason, they require extremely expert designers, fabricators and stylists to make sure they appear genuine and proper.
Costume on Display screen
Costumes for display screen are sometimes known as “wardrobe”, as is the division in cost of their procurement and maintenance. A function movie using extras may have over 5 hundred costumes for one crowd scene alone, and a number of costumes shall be required for each main character as effectively.
In movie and tv, continuity is a big problem with costume, as the identical piece of clothes will must be saved in the identical situation for months on finish. In sure conditions, wardrobe could produce a number of variations of the identical merchandise of clothes in case one is broken past restore.
Costume on Stage
Costume within the theatre taken extraordinarily severely, because the scrutiny by a dwell viewers is arguably greater than that of an individual watching a movie of their house. Each merchandise of clothes has to really feel ‘actual’, as it’s actually current in the identical area because the viewer.
Equally to display screen, stage costumes are designed to intensify the characters or setting; nevertheless, their function may be symbolic. Inserting Hamlet in a darkish swimsuit won’t be the normal alternative that Shakespeare envisioned, however nonetheless speaks to his standing and temper. Fashionable costumes, or costumes that don’t match a conventional understanding of a play are a terrific approach to shake up the interpretation and breathe new life right into a well-trod story.
Can I Select my Personal Costume?
The reply to this query is dependent upon a number of various factors. On knowledgeable shoot like a movie or a Netflix sequence, you’re unlikely to have an excessive amount of of a say as to how your character clothes. Costume is dealt with by the wardrobe division (or designer on a stage present) and shall be decided by the bigger aesthetic of the manufacturing design. You’ll have the possibility to offer them your measurements and never a lot else.
Nonetheless, if you happen to’re in a starring function, it’s possible you’ll discover you might have some sway as to how your character clothes—particularly if you happen to seek the advice of together with your director. All of it comes right down to your affect and trade clout: if you happen to’re Leonardo DiCaprio, they’ll most likely allow you to movie the film in sweat-pants.
On lower-budget, impartial or scholar productions, you’re truly extra doubtless to offer your individual costume. Costume shopping for or hiring is pricey, and it’s a wise means for the producer to chop prices. The director or designer will doubtless ask you to “usher in some choices” chosen from your individual wardrobe. This has its benefits: similar to you might have a better alternative over the way you look on stage or display screen (see beneath)! However it could actually additionally put your individual clothes gadgets in jeopardy of being broken or misplaced.
The way to Select what your Character Wears
Let’s say you’re gearing up for an indie theatre present, and the director has requested you to “usher in some choices” on your character to put on. How do you select what your character wears?
#1 Learn the Script
Very first thing’s first. Do some script evaluation. Search for any indication inside the textual content which may provide you with an understanding of how your character would possibly current themselves to the world. Are they powerful? Do they like to face out? Is vogue vital to them? Do they put on a selected tie-pin that was given to them by a now-dead relative? Some writers gives you an entire description of how a personality is supposed to seem (thanks, Sam Beckett!) Whereas others would possibly skimp on particulars, that’s to not say there received’t be clues you possibly can uncover.
#2 Take into account the Manufacturing Design
Subsequent, take into consideration the design of the manufacturing itself. Time interval, location, style, fashion, color scheme… all of these items could be figuring out elements within the costume you decide on your character. If there’s a designer, why not ask them for his or her opinion; if something, it’ll enable you to discover an outsider’s perspective on how your character could be considered.
#3 Be Comfortable
As you begin to slender down your individual wardrobe, take a step away from character and creativeness to think about the sensible. Don’t select a fancy dress that’s uncomfortable. Relying on the run, it’s possible you’ll be carrying this costume time and again, evening after evening, and on a tough ground beneath some highly regarded lights. No less than take into account this when selecting choices. Is it hurting you? Can you progress round in it? Will it constrict what it’s important to do within the efficiency?
Be aware: It’s additionally value selecting one thing that’s simple to clean and dry. You don’t need your share of the earnings to be eaten away by fixed dry-cleaning payments.
#4 Gown Up and Play
As soon as you end up with a shortlist of costume choices, put on your decisions and ‘play’ as your character. You possibly can attempt shifting as they do, discovering the physicality and stance. Converse by way of some traces, maybe a monologue when you’ve got one. All of the whereas, examine in with your self and ask the way it feels on this explicit outfit: does it resonate with the efficiency you’re giving?
For those who full this step early sufficient within the manufacturing, you possibly can truly attempt carrying some choices to rehearsals to really feel and see them in motion!
#5 Belief Your Director
All through this course of, your director goes to be a useful useful resource. With the exception, maybe, of the author, your director will know your character higher than anyone else on the manufacturing. Use them as a useful resource, as a sounding board, for a way your character would possibly costume. Are you in settlement? Or will a distinction of opinion open you as much as one thing not but thought of?
Finally, the decision on what your character wears shall be made by the director. When all is claimed and finished, they’re the one accountable for unifying the assorted threads that make up the manufacturing. So the extra you possibly can work with them to seek out your character’s look, the extra you can be aligned with their general imaginative and prescient, and the way you match into that.
Discovering Your Character in Costume
When contemplating the significance of costume, I typically take into consideration this brief promo clip for Netflix’s Mindhunter. Cameron Britton speaks about how the character of serial killer Ed Kemper emerges from a single act of costume preparation. If costume for actors is one thing you don’t spend a number of time fascinated with, it’s positively value your time. As a result of the character is usually there, within the garments and footwear and glasses, ready so that you can uncover them.
Placing in your costume is the cornerstone of any pre-show or pre-shoot ritual. It’s a time the place you step out of your on a regular basis garments and into these of the particular person you’re going to turn into on stage or display screen. You might be not your self in a fancy dress—as a result of these garments belong to anyone else.
So the subsequent time you’re placing in your costume, or selecting out some choices to point out an up-and-coming filmmaker, take the time to assume “How can I discover the character on this costume?” Typically, as Britton tells us, they will merely seem…
Good luck!
