Costume and Props

Jamie Thraves

Jamie Thraves is an award-winning director who is mainly known for directing short films. He experimented with short films at university to stimulate his career. Short films allow you to see where one strengths and weaknesses are. It also allows you to figure out what people like to see the most. Mostly, directors who opt for the "indie," route prefer to be more experimental with their ideas instead of being mainstream. His award winning short films Scratch (1991), and The Take-Out (1993) made a mark for him at film festivals worldwide. Later, after joining the Royal College Of Art in 1993, he made another award winning film called the Hackney Downs (1994). Thraves is passionate at making films, and thoroughly enjoys speaking to the audience through his ideas.

His breakthrough stems from joining Oil Factory, a music video company. His breakthrough video was Radiohead for their song “Just.” It obtained most of the recognition for the strong narrative structure. The man’s dialogue at the end of the video still arouses debates and discussions amongst fans. Additionally, he made a short film, I Just Want To Kiss You (1997) starred Martin Freeman. This won the Fox Searchlight Award for Best Short Film, at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 1988.

Thraves’ first feature, The Low Down (2000) with Film 4 starred Aiden Gillen, Kate Ashfield and Dean Lennox Kelly.  The Low Down is a one of the “neglected masterpieces,” of film history according to The Observer. Coldplay, The Verve and Blur are just some of the artists he’s made music videos for.  The Scientist by Coldplay won three Moon Men at the VMA’s, which includes Best Direction and Breakthrough Video.

He participated in an international co-production with BBC Films, starring Paddy Considine and Julia Stiles. It was based on the novel The Cry of the Owl by Patricia High smith. This was his second feature (2009).

Treacke Jr (2010), was his third feature, reuniting with Aiden Gillen , also winning the Hitchcock D’Or – Grand Jury Prize. Thraves had remortgaged his house in order to make the film. This premiered at the 54^th BFI London Film Festival. Time Out had reportedly said Treacle Jr was “funny, touching and gritty, this coolly rendered observation on need and rejection really is a Brit drama to shout about.”

BFI London Film Festival is one of the biggest events that an independent director could attend. The London Film Festival allows screening for directors who want more recognition. It centres in Leicester Square, but it spreads all over London. There are a number of Q&As and masterclasses alongside workshops, talks and additional films. 

Filming Day 1

Filming today did not go as well as planned. It seems our main character is rather shy and embarrassed, even after numerous takes the footage was not meeting our expectations. It was filmed in a room, with a background full of posters, as desk and a chair. Tariq, the main character just has to go through a series of emotions while observing people audition. But, its harder to him than it seems. I concentrated on medium, and close up shots so that his facial expressions and hands are seen. Also, he did not learn the lyrics, so the fluidity is extremely off - the footage is rather awful. Hopefully, next week when everybody is free, his nerves will go away as he gets more comfortable with the camera.

Permission to use Track

We asked the team for the band's permission to use their song, they seemed pretty happy to let us use the song.

It's important to ask for permission to prevent copyright issues. Also, we do not know who certain artists would react to someone using their music without permission. Some may be flattered, while others may not be to pleased. Nevertheless, it is polite and prevents things from escalating.  Twitter, Facebook and email are easy to access, but we assumed that Twitter is most probably the most used form of social network. It only took a day for the Team to reply, which was relatively efficiently. 

Katy Perry

Katy Perry appeals to the young audience, 14-21

She tries to portray a number of images, like being an older sister, or friend – someone an audience can confide in. Katy Perry's image is generated, this is not implying she is not genuine but she is dressed, presented and moulded in certain ways to appeal to certain audiences. Some  of her songs reflect her private life, ensuring that her main fan audience are still engaged, and feel connected to her.

Reflect some anxieties young girls go through such as a homosexual phase – perhaps, I kissed a girl represents this. 

There is great amount of sexual imagery, and sexual refrences. The song has hidden sexual innuendos. Intrestingly, she is objectifying another woman through Laura Mulvey's "male gaze." This arises the idea of the male “fantasy.” The shots are full of lingerie, seductive movements and vast amount of touching. There are some close ups on the female body. The song seems to be leaning towards the male “fantasty,” rather than a genuine desire for another woman. Many may encourage Katy Perry for this video, opening up more doors for homosexuality. However, its through objectification which is shown through the lyrics, “just wanna try you on, I’m curious for you… no I don’t even know your name, I doesn’t matter,” and “you’re my experimental game.” She is clearly using the woman as if she were an inanimate object, to fuffill her own desires. She justifies this by saying its “just human nature,” which sounds primitive and primal. Is she saying it is okay to sexualise one another just because we feel to experiment? Surely, if we all thought like this then we would be a dehumanised population. We would be mere animals.

 Katy Perry almost reminds me of a cartoon character - her image, being heavily influenced by the comic character Katy Keene is probably the reason behind this. This image is amusing, but gives you an idea of where her image stems from.

Here are some more of her music videos.

The music video is narrative, telling a story of a bipolar relationship and how the female is furious. 

Over the shoulder shots help create a smooth story line to follow. The mid-shots ensure that we see what’s happening. As well as the close ups, and extreme close ups. These shots is a way of conveying emotions, reactions and conversations. 

The low angles creates a sense of awkwardness, and uneasiness. Highlighting that he may be in control, whether he will agree to the marriage or not. 

We are able to watch her life – we feel included in the wedding and we are able to formulate an emotional response when the male character does not respond to whether he wants to marry Katy or not. The long shots start when the music starts which suggest a change in atmosphere, she is unhappy and frustrated. The anger does not exactly reflect the beat, and the dancers. The song is upbeat, and ironically sounds like a happy song. The band scene adds to the fun, light atmosphere which perhaps interrupts the innocent, sweet atmosphere at the beginning. Katy surrounding the male character with other girls show her regain of control. The fast editing implies her chaotic train of emotions, or just simply matches the upbeat dancing. There is a range of colours she wears from white, to neon pink to black. This conveys her colourful personality which is evident throughout the video. Also, the mis-en-scene illustrates this idea of Katy’s fruitful personality. She is present at a wedding, then at a night club. There are also rather peculiar props such as a Zebra. Additionally, there are some references to brands such as Deiseal Sunglasses and the Nokia phone. When an audience sees this, they are more likely to purchase the product, raising the company’s profit. Furthermore, at the end there is a transition where it signals, after all the trouble, there is a happy ending.

 

One of my favourites by Katy Perry

Teenage Dream illustrates the desire to explore without bounds, "lets runaway and never look back." Truly a dream for every teenager. She wants to be adored, "without any makeup on." She's completely infatuated with him.

Katy is explaining that she's willingly allowing herself to be open and let her walls down. The wind blowing in her hair suggests her desire for freedom.

She's sexually attracted to him, and wants to go "all the way tonight." She enjoys the typical teenage ways of having fun; drinking, and dancing. Katy relates to teenagers who are exploring different aspects of their lives, learning and growing. Especially on the topic of being loved and adored.

ITS OUT THE LYRICS - JET BLACK ALLEY CAT - POISON

Lyrics:


Oh good lord
Think I've gotten in too deep
In all my luck
It's been making faces at me
I lost my girl and my spunk
All in the same week and I said
Oh, oh,oh that liquid action be tempting me

Let's bounce
All night
We're turning off my memory
This club is a house
Will my mama ever forgive me
I wanna be cheered up
And I want drinks all around
I wanna break my rules
I wanna rock this town

And oh
Shame on me
And oh
I guess the snake got free
'Cause we got the poison on our tongues

Oh good God
Man I clearly lost my track and all day long
I've been trying to straighten my act up
I dropped my phone in a rush
And I swear that I just snapped and I said
oh, oh, no
Man I'mma I'mma I'mma be stumbling right back

Let's bounce
All night
We're turning off my memory
This club is a house
Will my mama ever forgive me
I wanna be cheered up
I want drinks all around
I wanna break my rules
I wanna rock this town

And oh
Shame on me
And oh
I guess the snake got free
'Cause we got the poison, poison

Oh
Blame it on me
And oh
I guess the snake got free
'Cause we got the poison on our tongues

we got the poison on our tongues
we got the poison on our tongues
we got the poison on our tongues
we got the poison on our tongues
we got the poison on our tongues
we got the poison on our tongues
we got the poison on our tongues
we got the poison on our tongues

And oh
I guess the snake got free
'Cause we got the poison, poison

oh
Shame on me
And oh
I guess the snake got free
'Cause we got the poison on our

Oh
Blame it on me
And oh
I guess the snake got free
'Cause we got the poison on our tongues

Let's bounce
All night
We're turning off my memory
This club is a house
Will my mama ever forgive me

Let's bounce
All night
We're turning off my memory
This club is a house

Star Theory: Richard Dyer (Re-done)

Richard Dyer believes that most artists are moulded through artificial images.

Studied at the University of St Andrews, holding a professorship in the Department of Film Studies.

He believed that artists would have to manufacture their image to help them succeed with a stable fan base, and financially. For example, Katy Perry (then Katy Hudson) was previously a Gospel singer (I know shocking) but her attempts failed. Therefore, had to result in finding new ways of making money and obtaining more recognition. Clearly, her whole image had to be recreated and altered.

Katy now wears bright, vibrant colours which possibly represent the contrast in her image and lifestyle she now leads.

For example, Katy Perry's image is heavily influenced by Katy Keene a female comic character.

Artists who convey their true image, true selves and true emotions are more cherished by consumers. Consumers prefer if the artists are not groomed by labels and choose their own way. Creating a fake image may still win over the public unknowingly, but we still adore the authenticity of artists. Because there are so many manufactured artists, the "realness" becomes as unique selling point.

If I said I want your body now
Would you hold it against me?

A search for love, or a call for help

The editing is incredibly fast paced, having an increasing amount of frames per second possibly inferring to her dizzy and chaotic lifestyle. Her past has been in the center of the public eye which may of  caused to become erratic and unstable. This is what the editing, and directing is trying to portray.

There is quit a few product placements, like Sony, and her perfume. But what particularly captured my attention is the Plenty of Fish advertisement. Maybe this is her cry for love.













She battles herself, literally.

The way they are both dressed infers that there may be two Britneys. The old Britney, and the one the industry, lifestyle and expectations has created. Or it could represent a battle of her past, and her new image. Either way there is conflict. She wants to be in control, but she can't maintain it no matter how hard she tries.

The scene ends in a draw, perhaps its a continuous battle that she can never win. She's tired and beaten down but accepts it anyway. 

Another interesting section of the music video is the cameras, dress and the use of colour.

Symbolically, the white wedding dress stands for marriage. She's married to her image, and the industry. She is trapped in that repetitive cycle and cannot escape. The cameras show her old, but purer image which she used to have. Britney is still sings which illustrates that she's accepting the fact she is married to the industry.

The splatter of colour explicitly suggest her image being tinted and spoiled. Her hands are tied which show that she is not entirely responsible for her downfall. She's not in control.

Many people have said they miss the old Britney, but the old Britney was instantly sexualised, even her first hit single "One more time."





 

The video immediately starts by trailing on the floor, under the girls legs. It almost reminds me of a creepy figure, or student observing. The males in the video are slightly blurred whereas the Britney and the girls have more focus.  She is also wearing relatively dark lipstick in some shorts which imply some elements of seduction. To add to this what she is wearing is not a normal school uniform, she is clothed in a belly top style shirt where we can slightly see the bra. The skirt is rather short, however the long socks show some sense of innocence. Even from her first single, her innocence was slowly being "stripped" from her.