This document provides details on costumes and props for characters in a short film about a family mistreating their dog. It describes outfits for each character in their scenes that aim to convey information about the season, family traditions, and foreshadow later events. The director will provide most props and some clothing items to reduce costs and sharing responsibilities. Actors will provide some own clothes that their characters would realistically wear. Permission is needed for the underage actress and sizes are provided for costumes.
Costumes and Props in Short Film About Pet Abandonment
1. Costumes and Props report
Props
The Christmastree
A cardboardbox wrappedinChristmaspaper
A plainpiece of A4paper
A saltand pepperschnauzertoy
A blackM&S coat
[All propswill be providedbyme,the director,inordertominimise shared responsibilities]
Characters:
Chloe
- In scene 1 she will be wearingaredChristmasjumperwithareindeerface onthe front
as well as blue trousers anda colourful hairtie whichwill be providedfrom the actor’s
home to helpsave moneyonthe budget.Thiswill be accurate tothe contextof scene 1
whichisbasedaroundChristmastime andthus the Christmasjumperwouldfurther
presenttothe audience thatthe characters inscene 1 are a regularfamilywhoenjoy
celebratingthe Christmasholiday.Additionally,bypromotingthisimage tothe audience
it wouldhelpincorporate the message behindmyfilmwhichfocuseson how easyitis
for a familytomistreattheirpet.Moreover,the colourredonthe Christmasjumper
connotesviolence whichforeshadowsthe treatmentof the dog,revealedatthe endof
scene 8 whenPepper(the dog) ispresentedtohave beenmistreatedasaresultof the
inconsiderate choiceof the familytohave adog.
- In scene 2 and scene 4 Chloe iswearinganoversizedwhitecoat (provided byme;the
director),the colourful hairtie andblue trousers (providedbythe actress) which isto
presentthatChristmasisnow overand helptoimplythatthe familyisbackto their
regularbusyroutine whichdoesnotconsiderthe toy.Iwill provide the whitecoatand
the actor will providethe jeanssothatitsavesmoneyonthe budget.The white coat
contraststhe previousoutfitinscene 1whichincludedaredjumperwithconnotations
of violence.Whereasthe white coatreflectsthe innocence of the characterdue to her
youthmakingherignorantto the severityof whatittakesto care for a dog,highlighting
thisdecision isthe faultof the parentsandforeshadowingthe latereventswhere Paul
losesthe ‘toy’.
- I have chosenBeatrice Dawsonasmy actressfor Chloe asshe has a youngappearance
and portraysthe innocentlookthatI wantedtopresentwithinmyfilm.AsBeatrice is
under18 I will needtoreceive apermissionslipfromone of herparents.Moreoverher
sizing’sforclotheswillbe inchildren’swearaged10-12.
- [INSERT IMAGES OF BEATRICE INOUTFIT – HEAD SHOT AND FULL BODY SHOT]
Beth
- In scene 7 and 8 Bethwill wearawhite jumperwithagreencoat overthe top (both
providedbyme;the director),aswell asdenimjeans,pinkshoes andfluffysocks
(providedbythe actress).The decisionof usingagreencoat isto presentBeth’s
close relationshipwithnature whichhelpsforeshadow hercharismaticcharacter
wholooksafterthe dog. Additionally,the coathelpspresentthatnotverymuch
time haspassedthroughoutmyshort filmdue tothe warm coat indicatingitisstill
winter,alsoemphasisingthe awfulnessof the abandonment.The whitejumper
2. representsBethasthe successful beginningof the dog’slife,thusshowingthatthis
positivityisdirectedtowardsthe dogasshownbythe connotationsof the coat
linkingtoa love of nature.The denimjeanspresentheryouthfulnesswhichisakey
aspectas it showsthat itdoesn’ttake experiencetorecognise the issue of
abandonment,displayingthe ignorance of the previousfamily. Finally,the fluffy
sockspresentherrelaxedpersonality,whichisamuchhealthierlifestylewhen
lookingafterapet.
- I have chosenMorgan Long as my actressfor Bethas she is 18 yearsoldand looks
quite mature whichhelpstoportraythe message thatshe will be a responsible pet
owner. Inaddition,she iscurrentlytakingaDrama A level,meaningshe will bringa
professionalaspecttomyfilmwithherexperience andskillatacting. Morgan’s
clothessize will be adult8inwoman’s sizing’s.
[INSERT IMAGE OF MORGANIN OUTFIT – FULL BODY SHOT]
Paul
- In scene 1 Paul will be wearingablue jumperwithpicturesof variousChristmas
relateditemsstitchedontoitwhichwillbe providedbythe actorto save moneyon
the budgetand save confusionwithsizing’s.Thisfurtherpresentsthatthe familyis
alike toany otherwithintheirhouseholdtraditions,toshow how easily
abandonmentcango unnoticed.The tracksuittrousersfurthersuggestthatthe
character islaidback whichiscontrasted/diminishedinscene 3whenitis revealed
that theyare losingtheirjob,arguablyactingasa catalystfor the laterevents.
- In scene 2, 5 and 6 Paul will be wearingformalweartoimplyhe isgoingtowork,
specificallyhe iswearing ablue stripedshirt,smartblue jeans andhe will be carrying
a black coat. Thisisto helpreflecthisstressedandoccupiedmoodwhichhelps
foreshadowthe latereventswhere he doesn’tnotice the toyhasfallenoutof the
car.
- In scene 3 Paul will be wearingthe same tracksuittrousersasscene 1 but witha
white longsleevedtopinsteadof aChristmasjumpertoforeshadow thatthe letter
he is readingwill resultinacleanslate for Paul as he isgoingto get fired.
- I have chosenPaul McQuillanasmy actor for Paul as he lookslike the typical middle
classand middle agedparentwhichhelpsexplainthatthe issue of abandonmentis
3. more commonthan some people maybelieve.Paul’ssize will be adultLarge in
men’s sizing’s.
Jacqui
- In scene 1 Jacqui will be wearinganavycrew sweatshirt (andloose denimjeans)
whichconnotesherapproachabilityasaparentdue to blue connotingacalm
personality/atmosphere.Moreover,the incorporationof crew presentsthe classof
the family,beingmiddle aged,toportraythe message thatlife dedications(e.g.
occupation) can get inthe way of the commitmentthatcomeswithlookingaftera
pet. In scene 2, she will wearthe same outfitbutwithapurple coat overthe top to
portray the season,beingwinter,andtoironicallyreflecthertrustworthinesswhich
islatercontrasted by the abandonmentof the dog.
- I have chosenJacqui McQuillanasmy actor for Jacqui (Chloe’smother) due toher
appearance beingapproachable whichhelpsimplyshe isamother.Thishelps
furtherportraythe message thata ‘typical’familycanoftennot caterfor theirpetin
the right way,possiblybasedontheirlifestyle.