03-20-2007, 08:02 PM
I think you are quite right Andy, and that is one reason why we keep seeing the same old 'Hollywood Romans' film after film after film.
It does not matter what the history books say, or what the researchers uncover, or even what the conscientious costume designer comes up with, if the director or the producer walk in and say "That doesn't look like an Ancient Roman...!"
In the old Jack Benny Film "To Be Or Not To Be" a stage actor makes his entrance dressed as Hitler. The play's director stops the rehearsal. "Who did this make up? He's all wrong. He doesn't look like Hitler."
The director then spots a painting of Hitler hanging on the set. "There," he points, "that's Hitler!"
"But Mr. Director," replies the exasperated actor, "that painting was made of me."
The director, not to be confounded by an actor, replies with finality, "Well, the picture's wrong too."
This is not to say that the idea of a Film/TV costume reference guide is a bad idea for it is not. It is in fact an excellent idea. Some directors do care and do try (as noted in previous posts in the thread) and having access to a ready reference like this might help. I doubt it could make the situation any worse.
Narukami
It does not matter what the history books say, or what the researchers uncover, or even what the conscientious costume designer comes up with, if the director or the producer walk in and say "That doesn't look like an Ancient Roman...!"
In the old Jack Benny Film "To Be Or Not To Be" a stage actor makes his entrance dressed as Hitler. The play's director stops the rehearsal. "Who did this make up? He's all wrong. He doesn't look like Hitler."
The director then spots a painting of Hitler hanging on the set. "There," he points, "that's Hitler!"
"But Mr. Director," replies the exasperated actor, "that painting was made of me."
The director, not to be confounded by an actor, replies with finality, "Well, the picture's wrong too."
This is not to say that the idea of a Film/TV costume reference guide is a bad idea for it is not. It is in fact an excellent idea. Some directors do care and do try (as noted in previous posts in the thread) and having access to a ready reference like this might help. I doubt it could make the situation any worse.
Narukami
David Reinke
Burbank CA
Burbank CA
