Questions for Seema.

During today's seminar we watched The Cabaret (Bob Fosse 1972) we were asked to complete a series f questions to help us consider why our character was chosen to be portrayed in this particular way. 

What characteristics define your choice of character?

In the movie Cabaret Sally Bowles is portrayed as being charming,playful and childlike. This is shown by her colourful clothing and extreme makeup. As the film develops so does Sallys character. We start to notice other traits that she holds such as being selfish, perhaps uneducated of her political surroundings or maybe she choices to ignore them?  We also discover that perhaps Sally is not as confident  when she is not performing. She appears to have rather low self esteem and self worth in the scene where she gets rejected by her father.

What knowledge of the period did the designer consider?

I can defiantly see the 20's influence with the short beaded dresses, feathers in the hair. However it also looks as though it was inspired by the late 60s-70s fashion. The colours and floral prints. It also looks as though it was inspired by other countries fashion as Sally is seen wearing a kimono of which is traditionally a Japanese piece. This could be inspired by the designers background, or personal interest it may of also been a fad for the time. I understand that the clothing was referenced to the time the film was created t appeal to a contemporary audience. He also made the woman look very androgynous the politics f the time was when women started to become more independent and the battle of the sexes began; this is also referenced.

According to your research so far do you feel that the character designs in the film are appropriate?

Considering the film is very Hollywood having the iconic Illzia Minnelli as the main character  yes! Her bright aura when performing shows her character well. Although due to research I feel as though the character portrayed was not the character that the script and book painted in my mind. I imagine her to be classy looking, attractive, with a wild side but this Sally is too much when comparing to research.

If I could improve her character design, I would of made her British as being British especially in that era you were thought of as being classy and charming. I would of toned down the makeup but gone for a dark lip and softer hair. As I associate the 20s with dark lips,bobs, and the Charleston.

Looking at the makeup the brows were blocked out and drawn on which was very 20s! There were false lashes used I am not sure if they would of had them then. I love the kiss curls. The hair looks as though it is all wigs on the females. Wigs are probably easier for continuity.