Introduction
This paper describes the costumes and make-up used in drama. The main purpose of this paper is to transform the whole characters of the film ‘Bread and Roses’ into drama. That is, the aim is to sort out how the characters acted in the film look like when they appear in the drama. What are all the differences between the characters when they appear in the drama? How the costumes of each character look like? What are all the makes-up required for the characters so as to transform the actors into the characters of the play?
Costume
Here, the discussion is about the costumes settings of the drama presentation of the movie ‘Bread and Roses’. The standard of the drama can be increased by using well-designed costumes. The costumes can give a professional touch to the drama. The drama has a legacy of many hundred years. In the olden time, the actors wore ordinary dress brought by the actors themselves. That style has changed in the new era. In recent days, the dress is designed by a single person. He is called a costume designer. The designer evaluates the actors and their roles in the drama. Different clothing shows various traditions. Kings, servants, beggars, ordinary people in the village, etc have different types of costumes. Here, the costume designer should first analyze the characters and how they should be presented on the stage. After analyzing the characters, the designer can find out that there are sixteen characters in the movie. All these characters in the movie should be shown in the drama also. So, there is a need for costumes for sixteen characters and their presentation may be in different costumes. Different characters have different costumes.
Act 1
In this story, Maya is the main character. In Act 1, Maya tries to cross the border with many others. All the people wear ordinary village dress because they are ordinary villagers who are trying to cross the border illegally. In the first act, Maya is working in a bar. So, in that section, she appears in the working uniform of the bar. In this section, there are her sister and others also in the same uniform. Maya gets a job in a cleaning company. In the next section, the situation in that company is on the stage.
Act 2
In this scene, the main characters are Maya, the union leader Sam. Other colleagues are also there. They appear in the uniform of workers of the cleaning company. They start a strike for increasing the wage. The scene of the strike is also included.
Act 3
Here the company manager also appears. The costume of the manager is entirely different from the costumes of others. In this scene, the strike becomes so unfair and vigorous. So, it is shown as such in the make-up and costumes.
Act 4
The strike is compromised in the last scene. All the workers are celebrating their victory. The happiness and their achievements are shown in their make-up and costume. In this scene, all the workers appear in good and fair uniforms. If the costumes are not fair and do not match the situation, character, and actor, the drama may even lose professionalism.
Makeup
Make-up is very important to create special effects on the stage. It has got a very important role in molding each character who acts in the drama. Both the male and female characters use make-up to create the appearance on the stage. “Make-up is usually used to compliment actors’ facial characteristics or to disguise them.” (Make-up, 2008).
Act 1
The act1 of the play presents Maya on the stage. She is a young Mexican woman. This scene shows many people crossing the border by any means. Maya has been represented as a strong character with a whitish face. The eye shadows and lips of Maya are highlighted. The color of Maya’s eye shadows is brown. Eyeliner pencil has been used to draw the eyeliner of the actress to make her according to the needs of the character. The face of Maya has been made slightly rosy by using cream. The hair of Maya has been neatly combed. Rosa also represented the same way in this stage.
Act 2
Here, the makeup of Maya is slightly less than what one has seen in act1. Here, she is shown as a worker in a company. So, there is no need for good makeup. Still, her face has been made slightly darker than in the earlier scene. This has been made to show that she is tired after working in the company for a long time. The eyeliner and lipstick used on the face are very light. The hair of Maya is not combed properly. Some are hanging in front of the forehead. Other workers appearing on the scene are also shown similarly.
Sam, a union representative appears on the stage as a very neat person with a cleanly shaved face. His hair is combed properly and put on at left side. A scar on the left cheek has been shown. The scar has been made by using latex and gums.
Act 3
Maya and co-workers used very little make up in act 3. Every character’s facial expression is in a very serious mood. Slight reddish color has been put on everyone’s face. This has been made with cream and paste. Many people are present on the stage at this time showing their angry expressions towards the management of the company.
Act 4
In this act, there is no spotlight on make up. Every character in the scene is shown in great enjoyment. The facial expression of each character is exposed in very happy mood.
It’s because of the make-up, the characters are visible even to the viewers sitting at the backsides of the theater. There are different techniques one should know while putting the make-up on the actors. It will vary with males and females acting in the play. Many types of shading are used on the face of the character to highlight the marks on the face of the actor. Not only this; to hide the scars, wounds, etc on the actor’s face, latex and gums are used. All the above-mentioned things will mold or blend the actors into the needs of the character. (How to apply stage makeup for plays and theatre, 2002)
Conclusion
The transformation of the actors in their costumes and make-up has been explained properly in this paper. Some changes are needed for the preparation of the characters of the drama while acting on the stage.
Reference List
How to apply stage makeup for plays and theatre. (2002). Essortment: Information And Advice You Want To Know.
Make-up. (2008). Drama InfoWeb.co.uk.