As you answer the question about costume in the film, be sure to read the PowerPoint slides first so that you are able to describe the costumes using proper historic costume terms. These are your class notes. I will be looking for information from the notes when I grade the assignments. You can also do some outside research in the Library and/or on the Internet for additional information.
In other words, your descriptions must be more than just your observations about the costumes and accessories from viewing the films. Your answer requires research as well as observations. You should also be able to compare the costumes in the films to those shown in costume history references to assess whether or not the costumes in the films were historically accurate or whether they were more the creative imagination of the costume designer with a bit of history thrown in. Be sure to include details about the costume that identifies it as part of a certain historical costume era. For example, men have been wearing suits with jackets, pants, and shirts for about 170 years. What details of construction, style, fabric, colors, make a “suit” from 1850 distinguishable from a suit worn by men in the current year?
Also, the summary of the story in the film is more than a brief overview of the plot. It is a detailed act-by-act summary of the storyline in the film, not the Wiki overview. You can take notes while you view the film or you can use one of the many complete summaries that can be found on-line.
Select the film that you wish to view in its entirety. These are not short film clips or trailers for films. Appropriate films will be listed each week. The list is not exhaustive and you can also search for films to use for each assignment. Films do not have to be Hollywood blockbuster films. They can be documentaries or films from the History Channel or National Geographic. Some are foreign films and may have subtitles. You can use films from YouTube, NetFlix, Hulu, rented films or films that you already own. AVOID animated films (cartoons) and comedies because these do not illustrate authentic historic costumes. The intent is to find a film that accurately depicts the historic costume of the era. The more recent films are usually more historically accurate as far as the costume designs are concerned. Be sure to check with me if you are not certain about the appropriateness of the film you are considering for each assignment.
Before you view the film, read the Power Point slides that pertain to each historical era. These are your notes for this class. I will be looking for information from the slides such as the use of proper historic costume terms in your Film Journals and Modern Design assignments. Refer to other references from the library, Internet, books, or other films for additional information about the historic era and clothing. By reading about the historic costume first, you will know what to look for in the film.
The following is a list of suggested films for the assignment about the the Romantic Period. It is not a complete list and you may include documentaries as well as films. If you discover other appropriate films, please forward them to me so that they can be added to this list. Remember to avoid animated, fantasy, or comedy films because the costumes are not accurate. It is up to you to find the source of the film that you choose.
The Young Victoria
Victoria (BBC series – started in January 2017 – excellent costumes from the Romantic Era)
Victoria and Albert
North and South (BBC series)
Little Dorritt (BBC series)
Great Expectations (1997 TV version NOT 1998 modern version with Gwyneth Paltrow)
Oliver Twist
The Old Curiosity Shop
A Christmas Carol (NOT the cartoon version)
Dickensian ( Romantic era to Bustle era) BBC series
Dombey and Son (BBC series)
Cranford (BBC series)
Return to Cranford (BBC series)
Middlemarch
Under the Greenwood Tree
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
The Governess
Jane Eyre
Copying Beethoven
Les Miserables (new version)
Include the following in your journal report:
FILM JOURNAL
Information about the film (film credits): (5 points)
The title of the film/appropriate for the era
The year the film was produced
The historic costume era in which the film took place
The name of the director
The names of the main actors and the characters they played.
Write a detailed 1 page summary (2 – 3 paragraphs) of the story from the film. This is a detailed summary of the storyline from the film. It is NOT a brief Wikipedia overview of the plot of the film. YES, you can use the summaries of the storyline in films found on Wiki or film reviews. I would rather that you took notes re: the clothing and accessories while you view the film rather than making notes about the story. (15 points)
Clothing and Accessories (hats, scarves, shawls, jewelry, shoes, canes, fans, watches, etc.)
Examples of research topics:
Select one head-to-toe outfit of a man, woman, or child from the film that you viewed. Describe the elements of the ensemble including the clothing and accessories using historic costume terms. Be sure to identify the details that make this costume different than modern costumes. See the PP slides for the specific details of the costume for the historic costume era. Use historic costume terms to describe the ensemble. If all of the elements of one outfit are not shown in the film (hats, shoes, etc.), add them by doing outside research from the PP slides and/or the Internet or textbooks.
OR, select one article of clothing or one accessory such as men’s/women’s hats for the historic costume era. Describe hats from the film. Research ALL hats from this era – see PP slides, the Internet, historic costume books, etc. for additional information. In this option you are adding to observations from the film.
OR, Select accessories such as jewelry, hairstyles, headpieces, shoes, etc. Describe accessories from the film. Research VARIOUS accessories from this era. See PP slides, the Internet, historic costume books, etc. for additional information.
OR, research the costume designer for the film. What is his/her background? Where did he/she get training in costume design? What are some of the designer’s accomplishments/awards/other movies in which they designed the costumes. Some considerations: what challenges did the designer encounter in producing costumes for this film and how were they overcome?; were the costumes historically accurate or were they “modernized”?; were the costumes borrowed or made specifically for this film?; describe and illustrate an example of one of the costumes; Other?
OR, select a topic of your choice that concerns historic costume such as military attire, religious attire, sportswear, textiles used in the clothing, embellishments used on the clothing, etc. *Check to make sure your topic is appropriate. (40 points)
Use appropriate historic costume terms – see PP slides and other sources of information. (10 points)
Download a picture(s) to illustrate your topic. (10 points)
Include your references in a bibliography at the end of your report. You should always include the film and the PP slides in your references. (5 points)
The total report should be approximately 1 -2 pages in length.
Film Journal Points:
A. Title, Year, Director, Era, Actors 5
B. Summary of the story 15
C. Clothing/Topic Summary 40
D. Historic Costume Terms 10
D. Illustration(s) 10
E. References (film and PP slides) 5
TOTAL: 85
