How does character costuming play a role! (Research)

 Context

Now that I have finalized the script, I have to move onto storyboarding. But before that, I want to first plan out the character's costume. Costuming plays a large visual role in film.This is because film is a visual medium, so everything apart of mise en scene becomes a storytelling device.

Researching!

This video gives a brief introduction to the importance of character designs/costumes and how it can tell another story!

As stated in the video, many people often do not understand character design unless it is the main point of the film. 

One important thing I noted was: Costume designs mainly functions has a storytelling device rather than decoration. It tells a lot about a character's traits, social status, and emotional tone without any words. It can also be used as foreshadow!

Characters often wear colors that fit their characteristics/personalities or help convey it. Below is an example of what colors can mean.

By serenaarchetti.com 

Example!

In the Legally Blonde (2001), Elle Woods' design and costuming tells a large visual story of her identity. Her wardrobes remains consistently pink, feminine, and bright throughout the film. It strongly symbolizes and reinforces her confidence and refusal to obey the expectational/society norms placed on her.

Elle Woods' outfits in the movie

However, in the movie, when we do see Elle Woods try and fit in with the norms, her outfits also matched this. Of course, this does not work out and she goes back wearing the clothes she had always worn. Through costuming, Legally Blonde helps convey her journey and challenges stereotypes about appearance and intellligence,

My Incorporations!

I now believe everything a character wears should be intentional and carry meaning now, especially given how easy it is to. 

For my production, I want to mainly focus and use the color... red in the protagonist's costume. This is because red has such conflicting/contrasting emotions (ex. love and hate) which I believe suits her. For the other lead, I wanted to make the costuming simple and incorporate white into it. This is because white is often use to indicate purity and foreshadow future victims.