CHARACTERISATION
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Betty
Joe Gillis
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Costume Does a character's appearance change throughout the film? How? Why?Along with Joe's character development, his appearance changes. He is devoted to a career as a professional screenwriter and he wears suits, as his relationship with Norma progresses, he is gifted with many expensive clothes and Norma dresses him as if he were her son, parallel to his current position pursuing screenwriting
costume and physical appearance
Norma Desmond
costume
setting
symbols
dialogue
views and values
Views and values What is important to this character?& Dialogue Do their actions contradict their words?
To Joe, it is important that he is in contact with people his own age, we often find him telling Norma adamantly that he is going to leave and make a living on his own, but he never does (goes back on his word).
norma desmonds run down mansion is a reflection of her as a character, reflecting her psychological state, her past, and her relationship with Hollywood. The mansion embodies Norma's obsession with fame, and her inability to accept the present. normas mansion is physcially decaying, this mirrors norma who once was a celebrated star who is now run down living in the shadows of her former glory. the mansion is stuck in time, just like norma, its filled with artifacts and photos of her stardom. this environment shows ehr refusal to move forward with the times and move past her previous fame.
symbols
views and values
dialogue
setting
betty is ofetn seen in more modern and professional settings, such as the studio and office she workds in, highlighting her connection to the current hollywood movie industry and her driven approach to her career
Symbols and allusions Are there props or items that a character uses that gives insight into this character?
Items such as Joe's cigarette case, encasing the words "___" are symbolistic because Joe is often accepting gifts from Norma, but when asked about he denies his unconventional relationship with her. Highlighting his long-term unloyalty to Norma after all she has done
Betty is a young, aspirong screenwriter who is ambitious and idealistic. She is portrayed as hardworking, talented and honest with a genuine passion for writing and desire to succeed in Hollywood. She represents the fresh, hopeful and youthful side of the industry (stark contrast to Norma)
norma doesnt tend to interact with the unknown, she sticks to her house where she is celebrated and a star, still stuck in that era. she knows she is in control at her mansion and feels comfortable. when she ventures outside of her mansion she is struck with reality. when she went to paramount she got a shock of how far time and film has moved forward which she was unprepared for. orma's response to modern Hollywood is one of denial and rejection. She refuses to accept that the industry has moved on without her, and she clings to the belief that she is still a star.
Betty dresses in contempory clothing reflecting her working class backround and professional attitude. Her wardrobe is modest and functional compared to Norma's extravegant outfits
she is portrayed as a youthful, energetic, optimistic and ambitious young women
strong career aspirations symbolise the new generation of filmakers and the shifting dynamics of Hollywood to a fresh, new and original outlook
writing: represents her creative drive and the hope for success
betty values authenticity, hard work and potential for new and original stories in Hollywood. She is idealistic about the film industry and belives in its power to create meaningful content
Setting How does a character interact with familiar and unfamiliar settings?
Joe often embraces unfarmiliar situations with spontaneity, this is evident when he is being chased by the finance company and he turns into Norma's driveway and enters her house, never considering consequences
normas costume is a reflection of her inability to move past her silent film era, wearing older and extravagent clothing. Norma’s costumes are lavish and often over-the-top, featuring luxurious fabrics, intricate details, and dramatic silhouettes. This extravagance reflects her state of mind, showing her desire to relive her glory days as a silent film star. The excessive nature of her attire suggests a woman who is clinging to the past, unable to accept the passage of time or the changes in the world around her.
she values integrity and ambition, demonstrating strong commitment to her craft and a desire to break through barriers of industry
"im going to write a screenplay. I want it to be good, something that people will remember" - highlights ambition and desire to create meaningful work
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Gillis, but I just didn't think it was any good. I found it flat and trite."
"What's wrong with being on the other side of the cameras? It's really more fun."
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Betty: Of course I love him. I always will. I'm not in love with him any more, that's all. Joe: What happened? Betty: You did.
normas costumes are laden with symbolic connotations, revealing deeper layers of her character and the themes of the film. Each aspect of her wardrobe—its style, color, and extravagance—serves as a visual metaphor for her psychological state, her past, and her relationship with the world around her.
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