THE EFFECTS OF COSTUME DESIGNING IN NIGERIAN FILM INDUSTRY (ENGLISH AND LINGUISTIC PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
Every culture evolved from a historical experience that distinguishes it from others and these historical accounts can be expressed through many media including films. Hence, film is a historical event, a cultural artefact and every culture has to evolve its own filmic image. On that note, Abone sees film as: “one of the most important weapons by which the character of a nation, its image, identity, its culture, its peculiar sounds, politics, economy, its aspirations and achievements are impressed on the popular mind throughout the world “(23). Essentially, the Nigerian video film industry rose from these same events, especially culture, myths, folklores, contemporary social issues, and chronicling of true life experiences. The emergence of video film into the Nigerian viewing culture did not just introduce a new form of narrative but has also increased viewership, landmark of achievements, widened international exposure and employment opportunities for actors and actresses, script writers, scene designers, costume and makeup artistes, etc. In many films, costumes are incorporated as a part of the film’s spectacle. Costumes are items of clothing that are worn by an actor in a movie or play to build up, emphasize or portray his character. Costume includes clothing, headgears, eye wears, foot wears and clothing accessories. Costume helps to depict the place and time setting of the story, the culture of the actor as well as determine the social class of the character being portrayed.
Costumes communicate an actor’s mood; for instance, a costume of bright colours or bold design may indicate happiness and such costume might even brighten the mood of the viewer seeing the movie. A costume is made to meet the needs of the actor. Actors’ costumes need to adequately suit the type of work they have to do in any video film production. Costumes should also meet the style of a production; whether it is a contemporary story or epic, costume helps the viewers figure out in which historical period a video film is set as well as the locale in which it occurs. Costume also helps to establish the relationship between characters. In Nigeria, many Nollywood directors use costumes for dramatic effects. Costumes help to depict the right mood in film as well as aid the arousal of suspense in the audience; additionally costumes help the audience to know the age of the character being portrayed and are also useful in the building of character’s trait. For instance, an affluent Yoruba actor wears an ‘Agbada’ with a cap to fit and a pair of shoes.
