Costuming & Character Placement: Reflections on Social Issues

The use of costuming and character placement help to encourage the view to think of the wider effects of rioting and funding cuts to many of the working and un-employed areas of England. The effect produced by the use of costuming and production design is to elude to the ideas of dreams and ‘hero’s’ in such a violent town. For example, Costuming and the use of traditional navy and red colours are similar to the superhero’s superman, Spiderman and captain America, reflecting both the internal and external conflictions and choices that the youth of that day are caught up in. They themselves are not sure where they fit in. (plan B claims is because of the large closures to council centres and cuts for funding to housing). The use of costuming

would help stir up ideas of anger and discouragement from typically older people. “those dang kids again” when someone is walking on the grass or damaging property, is often something you hear the concerned older generations say a lot, and at first it appears a lot like the same situation. Looting became a more current occurrence than ever after the decision to shut down many community centres and funding was taken away from council housing and such. Looting is almost un-avoidable with nothing else for the kids to do, often they can only get themselves in trouble. In The second of the two shot is an over the shoulder alley way shot displaying the dark backsides of the jackets. Even though we see the kids as a symbol of work and freedom for the greater good, the actual truth is that the kids are government is the one manipulating them and forcing them out of control.

The second shot shows the kids in un-identified colourless hoods. The contrast in colours depicts again the idea of the two side the people view the youth’s role in the film. What the colours and actions of the kids are trying to represent is that the kids feel they are ‘hero’s’ on their side, but on the other side, people see them as vandals and criminals fighting to young. One key idea that Plan B and Shux are trying to put across is the effects of the cuts on the growing minds and youth, it’s not just the elderly, or the children or single parents that are effected, sometimes the most vulnerable to corruption are the teenagers. When the kids first stated looting at way an outlet for expression and independence from the families, rioters and government. Although the trend stated off as a side effect of the riots, the ages of those participating were getting younger and younger.’ The city councils of Manchester and Salford are reported to be investigating their powers for ways of evicting tenants if they, or their children, have been involved in violence or looting in their

cities’. "heart-breaking" was something the award winning Pearce (‘team London award in 2011) took to say about the state of the youngest vandalising and looting in their neighbourhood. Effectively, the youth are trapped to choose to obey the government and live in silence, still in poverty and a bystander. While if they chose to help the communities, they feel free- like they are making a difference. The director will also use over the shoulder and P.O.V shots of the characters others in the community to create suspension and a sense of power that he children feel. The use of children and particular dis-advantaged criminals can create a more emotional and invested attachment to the sides of the council kids. Many of the viewer will look at what has been impacting of the kids who grow up way to fast. The sure hero like colours bring up ideas of our childhood or our children. The group of friends and league of superhero’s turning into a gang of thieves and looters amongst the chaos.