One of the overlooked elements in terms of making a movie (as far as most African movies are concerned) in its entirety is the WARDROBE. Though awards are handed out for doing an excellent job of finding or creating precisely the right clothes for the cast of a movie, it seems movie makers and actors still do not grasp the significant role a wardrobe plays in the overall quality of a movie. Why this article? It appears more and more newly released movies are becoming more centered on fashion taking away from the movie concept. The problem with this ongoing “Fashion Shows” is that, they are not complimentary to the movies.
Nowadays, when I watch movies I get the impression I am watching some fashion competition. It appears actresses and actors are hell bent on out shinning each other (in terms of outfits), and are determined to show viewers they are aware of recent trends. However, what most fail to understand is that, all trends do not work for everyone nor is every trend appropriate for all age groups. I get laughs out of watching grown adults make a spectacle of themselves showing off outfits that belong on teenagers.
Another place I get my laughs from is seeing actresses try to fit some hefty derriere and bulging tummy into skinny high waist or skirts-very unflattering. Matter of fact, so absurd is this that, on one occasion (there will be no name dropping); I watched a scene where an actress’s high waist shorts was half-way zipped because her bulgy tummy was crying out for release-ouch! Cringe worthy.
Another observation I have made from this nerve-racking “Fashion Shows” is that some of these actresses don’t want to look “ugly” for a role. They wouldn’t want to be at anything but their best onscreen even when playing a role that demands they look less glamorous. For example, once I a watched movie with an actress playing the role of a poor peasant with a perfectly polished nails and carefully lined lips. Another bad aspect of this circuit is the makeup, one look at some of these actresses and I can’t help but wonder if they own a mirror. I am usually barraged with images of lips heavily laden with lip gloss they are on the verge of literally dripping (would fry an egg if it were oil), glittering eye shadow in broad day light that practically outshines the sun, above all, facial features buried amid layers of makeup powder.
Are they aware that improper color tones can cause on-camera problems? What the camera sees is often very different from what is perceived by the human eye. Some types of light that looks fine to the eye can look greenish, golden or reddish to a camera. Makeup can work the same way. By applying makeup with the wrong base tones, you can conceivably make a shot that looks good to the naked eye yet look very wrong on camera. I guess they may or may not be familiar with the term “camera friendly tone.”
Additionally, wardrobe appropriate for a role not only enhances a character, it makes it easily relatable. How convincing can one be when one is diligently embodying a character, yet, his or her external feature just sucks the living daylight of the character? How can an actor or actress be believable when he or she chooses to run a free commercial for made in “china town” fake Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, Channel etc instead of committing a hundred percent to their roles? Care to admit it or not, Wardrobes are essential in interpreting a role and effectively transmitting it to viewers in a convincing manner. Please do not pull the” blame- the –costumer” card on me; I know for a fact most of these actors and actresses style themselves on set. No wonder most are yet to reach an admirable threshold.
By Cassie Johnson (Editor,Ghanacelebrities.com)