Comparisons

For this task I have been asked to research and compare two versions of our chosen production, in order to understand the creative angle that the director wishes to communicate.

I must analyse and compare the makeup and hair elements of each character, from both versions in order to identify the intended audience responses for each character.

The production we have chosen to take inspiration from is The nightmare before christmas.

The nightmare before christmas is originally a Disney film, by Tim Burton, that was released in 1993.

The nightmare before christmas is an animated, family film that combines the holidays of christmas and halloween.

The main character, Jack Skellington – also known as the pumpkin king, becomes tired of living the same routine, scaring humans on October 31st. He craves something new so devises a plan to kidnap Santa Claus and take over christmas. However, Jack’s girlfriend Sally tries to prevent these plans, and save the day, as she has an awful feeling of what’s to come.

Disney is yet to produce a sequel, or live action movie, however many schools and theatre groups have created stage versions of this movie.

Therefore, I will be comparing the original movie to multiple stage versions I have viewed online.

Jack Skellington

In the movie:

In the movie, Jack has a rounded, clip-art like skeleton face.

Even Though he plays a skeleton, in Halloween town, Jack is a kind hearted character, shown by his characteristics throughout the film. 

Skeletons usually represent death and darkness, but Jack is a very smiley and happy character.

 His facial expressions, and his rounded face help to portray this positivity.

The fact that he is a skeleton, sometimes makes the audience second guess his intentions, however, Jack is overall a very positive character who’s downfall is that often acts before thinking about the consequences.

On stage:

In on stage versions, Jack’s character wears quite heavy and dark makeup.

 It is harder to see the positive aspects of Jack at a first glance, as you can’t create the rounded shape face like the animation in the film. 

It is more important to show the darker aspects in the makeup, as his characteristics will be shown through the acting, but it is important to remember that Jack is a skeleton, and someone from halloween town. 

This acts as a constant reminder to the audience even though his intentions were harmless, something could still go wrong, as he is portraying a negative image.

Sally

In the film:

Sally plays a rag-doll who has been created as an experiment by Dr.Finkelstein. 

The relationship between Sally and Dr.Finkelstein could be compared to the story of Frankenstein and his monster, therefore people may immediately be weary of Sallys character, and think she may bring negativity throughout the film.

However, Sally is the opposite, she plays a very gentle, and kind character who tries her hardest to keep everyone out of harm’s way.

Eventually, Sally ends up risking herself to save the day.

Personally, I think the very feminine features, such as the eyelashes, long hair and red lips are meant to show that she is a caring character.

I also think the colours through her dress are intended to represent the hope that she brings into the story.

On stage:

I think that the character makeup for Sally on stage is very similar to her appearance in the movie.

The biggest difference is that on stage the colours of sallys skin, and outfit look much brighter than they do in the movie.

This is due to the bright lights on stage, compared to the gloomy atmosphere created in the animation.

However, I think this works as an advantage, as the brighter colours help to represent the positivity of Sally’s character.

Mayor

In the film:

In the movie, the Mayor’s personality is shown through his double sided face.

The mayor often has dramatic mood swings, and when his mood switches from happy to angry, his head twists 180 degrees to show the mood at the time.

Many theories suggest that this was used to give the impression that the mayor is bi-polar.

On stage:

In the stage adaptations that I watched for this task, both production companies used two people to play the mayor. 

Both actors would have one face painted on them, and stand back to back.Then, when the mood switched they would roate.

This helps emphasise the importance of the mayor’s mood swings. 

If this trait wasn’t something that the director wished the audience to pick up on, then the mayor would have just pulled different faces, rather than switching his head.

Dr Finkelstein

In the movie:

Dr Finkelstein is a wheelchair bound, mad scientist.

His outfit, including a lab coat, gloves and goggles helps show his profession, and his facial features such as his long snout, wide mouth and detachable head help to show that he’s a bit mad.

He also has a very eerie voice, which helps portray his character throughout the film.

On stage:

In the stage version, Dr Finkelstein’s character was wearing a bald cap to replicate his open head, and a mask around the mouth to imitate the large, beak-like snout.

This character makeup is very effective and looks much like Dr Finkelstein’s appearance in the movie, however the costume also massively helps support this look.

Lock

In the movie:

In the film, Lock plays part of a trouble-making tio, known as ‘boogies boys.’

The three characters are children, dressed in halloween costumes. 

I think the costume is the most important part of portraying the trio’s characteristics as they wear masks, which could help indicate they are not as innocent as they seem.

Lock is pale faced, with black eyes and blue lips, which could be used to help show how he died.

 Many people believe that this is used to show that Lock froze to death, and got his name as this happened because he was locked out of his house after coming home from trick or treating.

On stage:

Lock’s stage makeup is usually made up of a combination of his usual face and his mask. 

Many people create the pale base, purple eyes and blue lips, but add in the evil gin from the mask.

Then, rather than having a mask, props like a devil’s wand ,and devil horns are used.

This, again, helps to show they are not as innocent as it first seems.

Shock

In the movie:

Shock is another part of the trouble making trio.

Her character resembles a witch.

 Many believe, just like Lock, her appearance and name are used to present how she died.

 It’s believed she died of some sort of shock, hense her name.

Shocks’ character is slightly older than the boys. This is suggested by her attitude towards them, which is used to create the idea of her being a teenager.

The witch costume is used as this is what she was dressed up as, on the halloween that she passed, just like Lock.

On stage:

Shocks stage makeup is a basic witch makeup, with the same menacing grin, that is shown in Locks character.

Once again, letting the audience know these children are not as innocent as they seem.

Barrel

In the movie:

Barrel is the third member of Boogies boys.

His costume and mask are a skeleton, making him appear like a zombie when he has no mask on.

Many believe  Barrel died of drowning due to his blue lips. It could be that he was playing in a barrel that then fell into some water, which is how he got his name.

Furthermore, Barrel is the shortest, and most childish of the group, which could suggest he is the youngest.

On stage:

On stage, the eye bags were emphasised to help show the skeleton appearance without using a mask.

Also, Barrels teeth are much less pointed than the others, in the film and on stage makeup.

This helps further suggest that he is younger, and maybe even more innocent than the others.

Oogie Boogie

In the film:

Oogie Boogie is the main villain in the story of a nightmare before christmas.

His initial appearance doesn’t seem too frightening, he actually looks quite sweet compared to some of the other characters, however, you soon learn that not all is as good as it seems.

Oogie Boogie is a sack of bugs that terrorizes the town of Halloween, until he is eventually sent away.

However, Oogie sends out his troublesome trio, Lock, Shock and Barrel to help ensure he still leaves his mark on the town.

On stage:

Oogie Boogie is a sack, so in the film he is a sandy colour. 

However, in many stage adaptations, Oogie Boogie’s character is painted green to emphasize his villainous nature.

Unfortunately, a human cannot rip themselves open to reveal a pile of bugs like Oogie Boogie does in the film, therefore his not so nice temperament must be shown in other ways.

Sandy claws

In the film:

Sandy Claws’ character is very much self explanatory.

Sandy Claws is in charge of Christmas Town, and looks very much like the typical father Christmas that we see everywhere during the Christmas months.

He is completing last minute preparations for Christmas, when he is kidnapped by ‘boogie boys’ and taken to halloween town.

Sandy Claus’ appearance shows he is a very happy, innocent being, helping to strongly portray his confusion throughout the film.

On stage:

In the on stage adaptations, the actor playing Sandy claws is just wearing a normal santa costume.

This character is very simple, everyone knows who Father Christmas is and what he stands for, therefore there is no need for dramatic makeup and costumes to help portray this character.

Zero

In the movie:

Zero is Jack Skellington’s ghost dog, and his trusted sidekick.

Like many dogs, Zero can sense the good and bad in things to come.

Therefore, Zero is used to foreshadow things to come throughout the film.

On stage:

In on stage adaptations, the actor playing zero is usually just wearing a sheet, to replicate the ghostly, flowing movement that is shown in the film. 

A mask is also used to create a dog-like appearance, to show that this actor is playing a ghost dog, not just any ghost.

Villagers

Below are some of the background characters, the villagers of halloween town.

I have added photos of the character in the film, and how they could be presented in an on stage version, with a brief description.

I have found images of how these characters may be shown in the stage version, as you can’t really see these characters in the version I watched.

Just like a film, all of the up close shots are of the main characters (above), so I used my imagination and took inspiration from what I did see to show how these characters could be presented on stage.

Witch

There are two witches in the village, one grey and one green. 

In the on stage versions basic witch makeup was created just like in the fim, one was green and the other had a light base with dark, smokey eyes and contour, like the photos above.

Wolf man

In the on stage version, accentuated eyes, bushy eyebrows and a painted nose can be used to represent the wolf man. 

A mask could also be worn.

Underwater sea gal

In the stage versions, masks or prosthetic pieces could be used to create this look.

For a more simple makeup, scales could be added around the face to show the underwater theme, without creating a direct replica of the character from the film.

Mummy boy

A pale base, with dark eyes and tissue or bandages wrapped around the face, is what is commonly used to create this character in on stage versions.

Melting man

A similar melting face makeup could be created to convey the idea of this character. 

It would be hard to create a direct copy of the movie character without using lots of special effects.

Mr Hyde

Bold eyes and a wide malicious grin could be used to poetry the Mr Hyde’s character in an on stage performance.

Bat kid

Bat kid could be represented with a simple bat face paint on stage.

Cyclops

The cyclops can be easily created using basic makeup, however a copy of the movie character would be hard to create without using a mask or prosthetic pieces.

Devil

A devil makeup is easy to create for on stage, just use red face paint and dark eyeshadows.

Then a headband or prosthetics can be used for the horns.

Igor

Igor can be replicated by creating a mad scientist type look.

Behemoth

Behemoth has a very pale appearance, much like a simple corpse makeup.

Clown (with a tear away face)

Any type of clown makeup could be used to portrey this character.

Creature under the stairs

The creature under the stairs is a long, snake-like creature, therefore a reptilian inspired makeup could be used to portray this aspect.

Easter bunny

The Easter bunny is an easy character to create on stage, as a full costume can be worn.

Harlequin demon

The Harlequin demon is a fairly easy character to recreate with makeup, when using paints and shadows.