Costumes
and Props Analysis
Costumes
First Rough
Cut/Idea
Butlers Outfit – (Only arms seen, white gloves, suit jacket):
- This would match the mise-en-scene of the mansion setting. Only the gloves would be seen in shot adding a sense of mystery as to who the character was. Instantly the audience would be able to see that they were in a higher NRC social grade area as the white gloves would indicate a butler. The gloves also carry a sense of cleanliness and potentially an air of value about the setting, the gloves could be for handling delicate, valuable items.
Suit x 2– (Black Jacket, Suit Trousers, Black Tie – only
sides seen)
- Only the suit arms with cufflinks would really be visible, this would be because I would not want to reveal any characters to my audience. The visible aspects of the suit would be enough to cement the high class impression that the butler initially gives. A suit connotes power and status, a life of leisure and importance. Because the suit would be tightly cuffed the lifestyle would be more important than leisurely.
Second
Rough Cut/Idea which ended up being final product
Casual
Outfit, Shirt and jeans with trainers – (Only hands seen in opening titles)
- The hands are uncovered which is greatly different to the butler’s gloves, they connote a much more relatable, casual character. The shirt and jeans not seen again add the image that this character is an average man.
Suit –
(Black smart trousers and black boots only seen)
- Carries the same connotations as the suits discussed earlier. Adds a sense of higher status and class for the character. The audience could assume that this is the main character. Authority is created with the use of the boots, they walk authoratively towards the door and the boots and trousers are both black, a colour associated with power, death and authority.
Props
First Rough
Cut/Ideas
Car – The
silver Audi connotes a sense of a higher status, its colour emphasise the
serious nature of the driver and its sleek exterior and interior add to the
idea of a more wealthy character
Piano – The
piano is used to synergise with the music but to also introduce subtly a new
character, a piano connotes the idea of a cultured person, depending on the
song. It also suggests a creative person, as music is synonymous with
creativity.
Knife
Sharpener – This adds a sense of menace and introduces the idea of
another hidden plot below surface level. A sharpener is traditionally used by
kitchen staff and the butler uses it but in a dark room with a extreme close up
on the sharpener it can have foreboding connotations.
Candle – Used to
highlight to idea of a more traditional higher status setting with a candle.
Also used symbolically as potentially religious imagery linking a character to
religion. A candle also connotes the idea of hope and survival which is hinted
at when it is blown out.
Matches – Used to
light the candle, connotations of sparking an idea, or the violent creation of
something
Knife – Heavily
connotes a sense of foreboding, the way its represented is that although its
being used menially it has an undercurrent of menace
Chopping
Board – Used for the knife to chop things as to not damage the
table
Ham Hock – What the
knife is cutting, perfectly ordinary item but can also suggest murder – the
idea of cutting flesh
Plates and
Cutlery – Highlight the dining setting and the supposed normality of
the setting
Dining Room setting (Tables, Chairs, pictures, Shelving) – emphasises
the normal occasion
Second Rough Cut/ Final Product
Car - The silver Audi connotes a sense of a higher status, its
colour emphasise the serious nature of the driver and its sleek exterior and
interior add to the idea of a more wealthy character
Piano - The piano is used to synergise with the music but to also
introduce subtly a new character; a piano connotes the idea of a cultured
person, depending on the song. It also suggests a creative person, as music is
synonymous with creativity.
Computer – Used to create the digital shots of stock markets,
associated with a nerdier lifestyle but the stocks suggest a mathematics undercurrent.
Also suggests intelligence, being able to understand the graphs and use the
computer effectively
Laptop – Similar connotations of the computer except more
practical and suggests that the user is more active, on the move. Less powerful
than a computer suggesting it is needed for more practical than graphical
reasons, this could narrow down the user’s job.
USB – Used to show data being taken from the computer in a clear
way, suggests that the person is safety conscious as they are not using a Peer
to Peer File Transfer Protocol, they are not sending it online suggesting that
they are doing a nefarious action.
Glass – Used to hold the rum, the shape of the glass, a small brandy
glass suggests that the user has a higher status, the markings on the glass
says that it is from a chateau suggesting that this person travels abroad and
enjoys finer liquors.
Rum Bottle – Contrasts to the fancy glass, cheap supermarket own
rum, suggests a level of low income but had higher income in the past due to
the glass. The amount that is drunk could suggest levels of alcoholism, an
important factor that could be holding him back
Dining Room setting – Where the laptop is and the
majority of the interior shots take place. This setting is serene and not
ostentatious but also not low rent. This suggests that the house owner is in
the middle band of the NRC social grade. This matches with the idea that he
used to be wealthy as stocks can be a lucrative business but why is he living
in an understated home?
Book – Adds to the culture of the character, shows that they are
knowledgeable and take in knowledge from various sources
Highlighter – Shows an interest in the topic in the book and
articles, adds to the passion for stock markets. The way things are highlighted
draws attention to them and a highlighter is used as a reminder to look at this
again or to add gravitas. This could
suggest that the thing being highlighted are important and because there is
more than one highlighted object which brings a sense of investigation
Paper/News articles – Used to add to the stock market
theme. It shows that the problems go across into digital and print media which
means that they are big issues.
Envelope – Used to store the USB inside, this suggests that the
USB is being posted or given to a recipient. Because it is in an envelope which
is designed to hide the content adds to the idea of a nefarious items being
associated with the USB.
