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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Character Profile - Nigel

Image taken from: googleimages on 12/08/10

Versions of femininity/masculinity -

  • Seen to be feminine because of his love for fashion
  • The role he takes with Andy appears to be feminine rather than masculine
  • His concern for his appearance seems feminine
  • Kind and helpful
  • Can be condescending and sarcastic
  • Sharing
  • His actions and words - plus way of speaking - appear feminine
  • Switches between dependent on Miranda and independent in terms of the freedom is seems to have in their relationship - he is closer to being her equal than anyone else seems to be in the office
Actions - 
  • Helps Andy out with her wardrobe 
  • Plays a fairy godmother type role - turns Cinderella into a princess.
  • Helps Andy fit into her new environment
  • Takes Andy under his wing
  • Maternal type actions
  • Helps Andy develop her style - becomes her stylist
Appearance -
  • Well dressed
  • Well groomed
  • Wears glasses
  • Bold
Words - 
  • Not shy about making his point known
  • Determined
  • Has attitude
  • Can be 'bitchy'
  • "Wake up six"
  • "Yes, that's what this multi-million dollar industry is all about... inner beauty"
  • "There is nothing in this closet that will fit a size six"
  • "Sometimes I can't believe I talk about this crap all day"
  • "My work here is done"
  • Generally laid back but can become quite stressed
  • "Do you not get it?"
  • Usually gentle but can become rough
Changes - 
  • Doesn't get the job he thought he was being promoted into
  • Gains a new friend in Andy
  • Becomes less positive/optimistic about his job
  • Realises that Miranda may not be as wonderful as he previously was willing to believe
  • Doesn't trust Miranda as much

Character Profile - Emily


Version of femininity/masculinity -

  • Feminine - loves clothes, fashion, "Runway"
  • Is concerned with how people view her aesthetically
  • Always viewed as feminine - even with broken leg she wears high heeled boots!
  • Very dedicated to her job and her need to meet Miranda's needs - submissive
  • Working towards her goal of travelling to Fashion Week in Paris - dream aspect of job - to wear couture and meet designers, etc
  • Very feminine - dresses like the models, worries about her weight
  • "Bitchy"
  • Rude
  • Careless
  • Stylish
  • Dieting constantly - fad diets and quick fixes. 
  • Obsessed with weight - goal weight
  • Dresses in a way that makes her look as feminine as possible
Actions - 
  • Stubborn
  • Mean
  • Nasty
  • Admires Miranda
  • Self-conscious
  • "Runway" is her life
  • Follows the rules
  • Acts like she knows best
  • When Andy becomes fashionable she becomes jealous
  • Jealous when Andy gets to go to Paris and wear the clothes
  • Tells Andy what to do - pick on the person under her
  • Tries to intimidate Andy
  • Gets hit by car because she is so busy worrying about what she has to do for Miranda
  • Miranda depends on her initially
  • Stressed
  • Wants more than she can achieve
  • Over-reacts to things
Appearance - 
  • Fashionable
  • Self-conscious
  • Follows the trends
  • Thin
  • Sophisticated
  • Lots of make-up
  • Obsessed with her clothes and appearance
Words - 
  •   British accent
  • Easily and noticeably agitated
  • Speaks harshly when stressed
  • "Oh bloody hell!"
  • Very pushy
  • Snobby
  • Snooty
  • Tone of voice can be condescending and sarcastic
  • Speaks loudly when stressed
  • "You eat carbs for Christ's sake"
  • "I'm one stomach flu away from my goal weight"
  • "It's a new diet from Paris. You see. I don't eat anything and when I think I'm going to faint, I eat a cube of cheese"
  • "You have big shoes to fill"
  • "Some hideous skirt convention to attend?"
Changes - 
  • Forced to change back to an inferior assistant's role because of actions of Andy - wasn't her choice
  • Becomes friends with Andy in the end
  • Begins to treat Andy with respect
  • Grateful to Andy at the end
  • Realises what has been lost by Andy moving on
  • Starts to appreciate Andy
  • Weight changes as film progresses and she gets closer to Paris
  • Her attitude changes

Character Profile - Miranda

Image taken from: http://www.google.com/imgres?i on 12/08/10

Version of femininity/masculinity -

  • Seen to be feminine because she is the Editor in Chief of the most influential fashion magazine "Runway"
  • In the fashion industry must mean feminine
  • Yet, because she is in charge she is seen to have more masculine traits in terms of her managerial style
  • At home, with kids, seen to be more feminine - maternal role equals feminine
  • Feminine in the way she presents herself aesthetically but masculine in terms of seniority and controlling nature - not submissive to anyone else. Makes her own decisions and pathways
  • Artistic element of fashion is seen to be feminine
  • Demanding and impatient manner is seen to be masculine
  • Fiery
  • Scary
  • Demanding
  • Posh 
  • High standards
  • Masculine - when in control
Actions - 
  • Puts career before everything else
  • Rarely appears to care about anyone else
  • She never loses her way - dismisses people before she can be questioned
  • Has her own way of telling people what is good and bad - body language and facial expression, tone of voice, etc. 
  • Doesn't feel the need to explain herself or her emotions
  • Shows her emotions briefly to Andy in Paris
  • Makes the list of associates who will not support a new editor
  • Smiles at the end when she sees Andy
  • Straight forward
  • Blunt
  • Her actions are significant because she is the boss of everyone - the whole fashion industry is at her beck and call
  • Keeps everyone in line
  • Pushy
  • Goes too far at times
  • Gestures - indicate how she is feeling
  • Heartless
  • Cruel
  • Control Freak
  • Independent
  • Doesn't play by the rules/Makes up her own rules
  • Acts fake at gala events to gain more contacts
  • Facials
Appearance -
  • Well dressed
  • Stylish
  • Intimidating
  • Bossy
  • Centre of attention
  • Has to be noticed
  • Always seen by the public to be fashionable because it's her job and her life
  • High Fashion - Couture
  • Mature
  • Well groomed
  • Clearly cares about her appearance
  • Sophisticated
  • Has an individual style
  • Always wears high heels
  • Doesn't dye her hair - comfortable with her age?
  • Chic
  • Always 'put together'
Words - 
  • The way she talks is posh and impatient
  • Straight to the point
  • Dismissive of those who she sees as beneath her - pretty much everybody
  • Harsh - tells Andy to get the Harry Potter book even though it seems impossible
  • "That's all"
  • "Take a chance, hire the smart, fat girl"
  • "You can do anything, right?"
  • "Anything else I can use? Anti-bacterial wipes perhaps?"
  • "By all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me"
  • "Emily"
  • Speaks calmly but not respectfully
  • Often speaks in a monotone
  • Strict
  • "Don't be silly Andrea, everyone wants to be us"
Changes - 
  • By the end we see that if you do right by her, she'll do right by you
  • There is a vulnerable side - mother, loving family woman
  • Her opinion of Andy changes as the film progresses - unsuitable to the best she has dealt with
  • Changes from a maniacal 'dragon woman' boss to a 'normal' person who has feelings - lets her guard down
  • Starts to care about Andy
  • Begins to be more sympathetic?
  • The 'mask' disappears very briefly and we see the 'real' Miranda
  • Divorce news - lets her guard down

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Character Profile - Andy

Image taken from: googleimages.com on 12/08/10

Applies for a job at ‘Runway’ to become Miranda’s assistant. She dresses in her own style of clothing oblivious to what others think. In the beginning her boyfriend is very supportive of her, but he begins to see her change her attitude and develop into someone she is not. In the beginning she says “I don’t see why I should change everything about myself just because I have this job”. Andy is very different from other girls in the office, she dresses to please herself and what she feels comfortable in. However, after she has a slip up she begins to change. She does this by giving herself a new look and changing her attitude. Her friends and loved ones begin to see the new Andy and realise that she is no longer the same person.

Version of femininity -

  • Before job she appears to be relatively masculine when compared with other girls on the screen - shown in particular through the way they all get ready for their day
  • Doesn't seem to have an interest in fashion and this is shown to mean that she is not feminine
  • With a makeover, she becomes feminine
  • Once she begins to demonstrate an interest in and understanding of the fashion industry and how she presents herself she is seen to be feminine
  • It is shown that through exposure to Miranda and the general environment of "Runway" she is influenced in a way that makes her feminine
  • The changes that happen throughout the film indicate that her femininity develops
  • Femininity appears to be linked to what she wears and whether she cares what others think about her appearance
  • Part of her femininity, particularly at the beginning and end of the film, seems to be linked to her personality - that she is nice to others, puts them before herself, cares about other people's needs and is respectful to them. She is also shown to be submissive to other people throughout the film
  • Nigel influences her to be more feminine - reminiscent of a traditional idea of femininity in that she needs to be transformed by the fairy god mother figure into a beautiful woman, also reflective of the ugly duckling to beautiful swan idea

Actions -

  • Runs her fingers through her hair at beginning instead of a brush
  • She does everything Miranda tells her to do - submissive and obedient
  • She tries to be nice and be friends with everyone. Wants everyone else to be happy - this can become quite stressful for her
  • Can't take control because she doesn't know how
  • Seems polite compared to other people in the work force
  • Clueless, naive, etc
  • Fashionable thanks to Nigel
  • Gains greater confidence as she becomes more fashionable
  • Persistent, stubborn in places
  • Becomes more independent but still being led by other people
  • Trapped, vulnerable
  • Uncaring/rude towards the idea of "Runway"
  • Appears stuck up and feels superior to those at "Runway" 
  • Told Emily she can't go to Paris
  • Laughs when the two belts are held up
  • Changes who she is to fit in
  • Does twins science project for them
  • Defends Miranda
  • Gets the Harry Potter books even though it seemed impossible
  • To survive in Miranda's office she has to do everything that she is told - even the things that seem impossible
  • Always prepared and on time
  • Obsessed/ruled by her job
Appearance - 
  • At first Andy doesn't care about her appearance because she doesn't think it is important
  • Once she settles into the job she changes her appearance
  • Starts to wear much more make-up
  • Towards the end is appreciative of high end fashion
  • At start not up to date with fashion, randomly selects what to wear
  • Becomes more concerned about how she presents herself to the world in terms of aesthetics - looks
  • Free at the beginning
  • The hair changes dramatically once she starts to care about fashion - particularly the bangs/fringe
  • Not like other girls
  • Size - she is seen as 'fat' because she is a size 6. Very happy and proud when she drops to a size 4
  • Scruffy at beginning - nicely groomed and stylish through middle - tends to revert back to opening style at end - indicates that in her life post-"Runway" she doesn't need fashion
Words - 
  • "I didn't have a choice"
  • "Yes" - to Miranda
  • Accent changes as she becomes more stylish - tone of voice also changes
  • Miranda Priestley's office, how may I help you?
  • I don't have a choice - it's not my fault! - Not her responsibility.
  • "The clackers"
  • "Andy, my name is Andy"
  • "She called me Andrea, she didn't call me Emily"
  • "I couldn't say no!"
Changes - 
  • Fashion
  • Work before Nate and friends
  • Becomes a fashionista and starts living in the fashion world
  • Not only does she change her appearance throughout the movie, she changes her attitude and morals
  • Changes the way she speaks
  • Changes her style
  • Starts to care about what she looks like
  • Starts to care more about her work than her friends
  • Changes from being a scruffy girl to resemble a fashion icon
  • Changes the way she views fashion
  • Wants to be one of 'those' girls
  • Changes from being more 'masculine' to 'feminine'
  • Personality
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships
  • Eventually goes back to being 'herself'

Monday, August 9, 2010

Film techniques and femininity in 'The Devil Wears Prada'

Film Techniques help to demonstrate the version(s) of femininity being portrayed by various characters:

Olivia: The way all the 'labels' worn by the other girls are as close ups so that they can be compared to what Andy is wearing.

Shelby: When Andy arrives at the interview the camera angle shows the buildings and then goes back to her saying she was less important. She is less fashionable.

Shauna: Andy asks who Miranda is, and every girl would know who she is. Everyone runs around crazy when they hear that Miranda is coming, and Andy just stands there looking around.

Madi: When Miranda was walking to the office the camera was tilted and slowing zooming and moving up to her face, this shows a lot of power. People move out of the way when Miranda is coming into the office.

Claudia: Andy meets Miranda and she thinks that she is very unfashionable, and lame but Andy says that she can do better than the other fashionable people so Miranda hires her. When everyone said that they will kill for that job Andy says that she is not one of them.

Shasha: Andy finally gets the job and she meets Emily which is the first assistant. The music makes the situation more interesting. Everyone was in a shock when Andy asks questions about Miranda.
Miranda doesn't acknowledge people just dumps them with her things
It seems as though Andy doesn't value her job or really care about what is coming to her in the future (not prepared)
Andy is always running around for Miranda!

Sasha- Miranda is always criticising Andy about the way she looks; body image

Mel: Andy says " I don't see why I have to change everything about me just because I have this job!" however she does in the end do this.
Nigel tells Andy that she isn't trying to fit into the magazine: "wake up six!"
When Andy comes crying to Nigel and he has no sympathy for her because she's horrible to everyone and when she changes her accent is different.
When Andy walks into the office after she changes, she does the typical girly hair flick.
Before stylish: camera follows her head to toe. After stylish: foot to head.

Mel: Andy's friends and loved ones begin to see her changing before she realises what she is becoming. All of a sudden her friends hate what she is becoming and crack, which leads her to realise she has changed her character.
"Fashion is not just about utility. Accessories are a piece of iconography used to express a persons identity" quote from Doug.

Sasha: in the film accessories are things that show who we are, our identity. After Andy changes to being stylish, Miranda seems to notice her more than usual and sees that she is making an effort to "fit in"

Olivia: now that Andy is stylish she is being noticed by famous people such as Christian Thompson. She is more confident, savvy.

Shelby: Miranda is still shown as superior to Andy by camera angles, although Andy is more confident and has gained more respect from Miranda. She still has a lot to learn.

Claudia: Andy always holds her phone in her hands just to take the phone call from Miranda. In order to be feminine you have to be sexy. The camera angle focuses on Miranda because she has more power.

shasha: MIranda favours Nigel the most. By representing femininity it shows that women have to like flowers, pretty things, and etc.
Miranda makes them learn the peoples names instead of doing it herself
The music helps enhance what is happening and the emotions going on
When outside Christian has greater power as the camera is tilted up at him.

Bella
: Nigel said that when your life goes up in smoke it's time for a promotion and when she misses Nate's party she gives him a cup cake with a candle on it and blows it out with the smoke rising - this shows her personal life has gone bad! Use of symbolism.

Olivia: the camera is tilted down on to Miranda as Andy has the power right now to choose if she will go to Paris or not. "I didn't have a choice" and the way Emily says "I don't have a choice is not an excuse". Femininity is described as women starving themselves to look like a perfectly sized woman and the stereotype of stuffing food down because they're 'upset'.

Sade: the camera is going around Andy, to show that Christian is flirting with her. Also as if he is looking at her as an object, he has the power in this.

Shoshuna: Miranda doesn't care about the way she looks while sitting on the couch because she has no make up on , her make up isn't looking the best as possible and she is in a grey dressing gown looking frumpy. The camera is slightly tilted down on her and you can tell she doesn't care because when she goes to work she dresses up and make sure she does look her best. Miranda isn't interested in what anyone else thinks in this scene, and there's an interesting juxtaposition because their is a Chanel bag behind her and she is sitting in front in a baggy gown.

Sasha: Andy went from a size 6 to a size 4 and is proud of it.

Mel: During the movie, she changes her priorities. What used to be seen as Nate, her one and only priority, now is her job, Christian and Miranda. Not only has her priorities changed, she has also lost respect, and let her guard down as she cheated on Nate, even though they were on a break, she knew it was wrong. Christian also states that you have to be young to be head at runway :)

Alison: Even though it's only been a day since Miranda has known about her divorce she's back in power and strong and acts like nothings wrong.
Body language at the end with Nate - Andy is submissive.
Facial expression at the end in her interview.
Emily struggling to keep from smiling,
Stiletto boots with crutches.
Miranda smiles at the end.
Even laughs