Research: Costume & Props

Detective Dress

I have included this type of costume in my plan for my documentary because I believe that it is something that is regularly featured in documentaries, most common when the documentary cuts away to have an interview with a superior police officer that finds themselves in a high role. This will show that they have a lot of authority and will know a lot about the case at hand. This is something that I will include because I believe that it will add a more realism to our production. I have gone against having a law enforcer in the typical police uniform, as I believe that it would be specialists working on a crime case. Also having my cast wearing something other than a police uniform will enforce their authority.

Smart Wear

The main presenters of most documentary type TV shows always seemed to be dressed in a smart and well presented way. Nine times out of ten they will be seen wearing a suit. A suit shows that they have professionalism and take their job very seriously, and in cases like a crime documentary, seriousness is a key element. I think that I will have the TV presenters dressed in suits in my documentary because I want to express these features that wearing a suit possesses.

Balaclava

A balaclava is used to hide the identity of an individual. This is why I see it logical for the criminal in my documentary to be wearing one during the attack. The balaclava can cover the mouth, but I am certain that I want the balaclava to show the criminals eyes. This is because I still want his identity to be able to be found out from the investigation. I also believe that having my attacker in a balaclava will make him more intimidating, both to the attacker, and to the audience watching the documentary.

Tracksuit

I am almost certain that I want my attacker to be featured wearing an all black tracksuit (or all black clothes). Because of the stereotype that is already placed upon tracksuits being “worn by antisocial individuals”, it will help to more so create the image of the attacker to be a negative one. Attackers wearing all black is also something that you see in a lot of crime documentaries, it is normally chosen, as at night time it makes them harder to be seen, and therefore, harder to be caught.

Car

The car will belong to our victim, but will end up being stolen during the attack and robbery. The attacker will use the car as the getaway vehicle. The reason that we chose this make and model of car is because it is one that we have in our use. It also fits well with the owner being the victim, as she is only young, this car is a typical “young drivers car”, which helps the whole documentary seem a bit more realistic.

Glass Bottle

The glass bottle will probably be used for the initial attack on the victim. The use of the glass beer bottle could mean a number for things, with one large factor being that the attacker had been drinking alcohol prior to the attack. It also makes the overall attack a lot more vicious and serious, which could in tern encourage the audience watching the documentary to get involved to try and help.