I was drooling over my copy of Harry Potter ~ Page to Screen (I imported it from the US as it's out of print in the UK. This is a crime, btw) and I was caught by the attention to detail of the costumes. A little spark went off in my head about how the actors and the costume designers formed the characters from the clothes they wore. (Yes, the writer in me never switches off. It's quite sad, really... ;-) )
For instance, how Harry--who the costume designer Jany Temine saw as a loner and not happy in his skin--would wear greys, black whites, because he didn't want to be noticed. Or Hermione not really having the urge to be fashionable, or seen as a 'girl' as she thought her intelligence was her greatest asset. Or Snape, with his cloak that's split up the back so the two forks slither behind him. Also, apparently, Alan Rickman can really work a cape... *grin*
This idea has given me a new angle to think about as I create my characters. It's also serendipity as I'm creating a character who has the mask of a fop and a dandy and a man far too attached to his tailor. It's little touches, like Snape's cloak, or the numerous eyes that appear cover Professor Trelawney's tunic, that speak of the character's nature and occupation.
And there's body art too. Sirius Black is not tattooed in the books, but this incredible sketch from Rob Bliss of Sirius' runic prison tats is simply...whoa.
The reasons why he would carve all of these into his skin simply pushes too many ideas through my head. Or maybe that's just me. (This image is in the book too. That particular page is worn thin ;-) )
Now I'm away to look at Victorian tailoring--petting Sirius one last time *grin*--and fabrics. And I'm wondering how other writers tackle clothes...or you could simply join me for some Snape and Sirius love... <--so glad I'm not a fanfic writer, because...yum :D
*The title quote is from Alan Rickman, from his explanation of why he agreed to play Professor Snape.
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Kim Knox brews sex, magic, darkness and technology in a little corner of North West England. She writes erotic science fiction and fantasy romance for Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing, Cleis Press and others.
SYNTHETIC DREAMS and BITTER HARVEST are available now from Carina Press.
AT THE SORCERER'S COMMAND and DARK DEALINGS coming soon
6 comments:
I adore your post!!! The costumes are so fabulous. And he carved the runes into his own skin??
This is such an interesting blog today. So well done.
I had never thought too much about the clothing making the character in our books, but I LOVE the idea. It's just another layer to add to the dimensions we spend so much time creating. Thanks Kim!
Thanks, Dawn :) And yep, that was the concept they had behind all of his tats. I'm sure I read somewhere--and I can't find it now!--that they wanted to show what he took of Azkaban into himself. <-love this idea :D
Thanks, Rebecca :)
Thanks, Deena. I hadn't really thought about it, either. Though with writing we don't have the luxury of doing a thorough description, so we can take pieces, a single image, eg. a ring, the wearing of gloves, scuffed or polished boots to reveal character.
Thanks, Dawn :) And yep, that was the concept they had behind all of his tats. I'm sure I read somewhere--and I can't find it now!--that they wanted to show what he took of Azkaban into himself. <-love this idea :D
Thanks, Rebecca :)
Thanks, Deena. I hadn't really thought about it, either. Though with writing we don't have the luxury of doing a thorough description, so we can take pieces, a single image, eg. a ring, the wearing of gloves, scuffed or polished boots to reveal character.
I'm curious about the character you're developing now.
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