1. Characters
Each character should have its personal idiolect to create
iconic representations in which the characters will gain
the audiences feelings . Characters add to the narrative
creating a very strong cultural verisimilitude.

2. Dress code
One of the most important decisions about character
is the image the director is giving them. Their
appearance is the first thing that the viewer will be
concentrating on. It is important to create a theme
through the appearance of the character to give a
deeper meaning within the other aspects of media.
I’ve have done some research on the dress code for a
dancer in different locations.

3. On the beach
Dancers on the beach have
two main outfits. One of them
is a floaty dress which creates
a nice effect when the wind is
blowing and the dancer is
moving around. The dress
should be in a pale natural
colour to match the beach
location . This pragmatically
means the ‘pure’ of the dancer
meaning that it is only the
talent that matters. The
female audience visuals
themselves as being natural
and simple.

4. On the beach
The second outfit is a simple bikini or a leotard. This
outfit shows off the dancers body and clear
movements . Again giving the target audience what
they want to see .

5. Hair – usually mid length
When the character is dancing is should have its hair
down for two reasons.
1. It gives a natural look combined with the dress and
the beach look. It supposed to be messy to
emphasise on the purity of the character.
2. In dance classes it is unacceptable to not have the
hair tied up . It again gives the audience the ‘dream’
like image.

6. Make up
Dancers make up should be natural as again it is all
about the ordinary look of a female. This includes the
nails not being painted and no tattoos or big piercings
.

7. In the dance studio
Depending on the style of the
dance ,dancers there should be
wearing different outfits .
contemporary/lyrical dance
outfit can consist any form of
clothing like seen on the
picture..
¾ black leggins and a different
types sleeveless top ,bare feet
or ballet shoes.

8. In the dance studio
For ballet class female characters should wear ballet
tights, leotard ,ballet shoes or point shoes and often
for a warm up classes a top/cardigan leg warmers etc.

9. On the stage
When dancing on the stage the characters should be wearing
actual outfits that match to create the reality of a professional
dance showcase. Again this differs on the style of the dance.
For ballet it is crucial to wear tutus .

10. On the stage
Other styles of dance outfits depend on the story behind
the dance and the music that goes with it . Often it would
be a dress or shorts with a top and characters shoes or
dance shoes . There should be a representation behind
the clothing the characters are wearing. In my trailer for
the final performance I want to have two costumes.

11. Male dancer character appearance
Tank vest top or
topless depending
on the scene
jeans/joggers
High tops trainers

12. Tap dance outfit
Must be tap shoes as that’s
essential to do tap dance.
I will challenge my trailer by
not having typical tap dance
clothing such as the cane, hat
and a leotard and waistcoat or
a dress. As I mention I want
my trailer to be unique and by
combining tap with
contemporary I will also
change the costumes to be
more suitable for a
performance of the two dance
styles.

13. Representation
Often when it comes to the representation ,the characters are very
stereotyped so that the film/trailer appeals to a wider audience.
I will take on a Challenge of the representation by using ordinary
girls. In chorus line for example dancers are all the same height
and size. That’s really difficult to cast when being independent
film maker.
The appearance such as size (stereotypical skinny size 0)
Long nice hair , very pretty and toned
Black swan challenges such as the health metal issues
Boys are usually muscly (top off etc)
Aesthetics of dance/costumes
Gender and race stereotype.