Character Research and Analysis of Ghostface from Scream (1996)
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| An iconic image of Ghostface (1996) |
The Killer from the 1996 edition of Scream is shown wearing a black cloak, a white mask and carrying a bloodied knife. The mask itself has become an extremely popular icon of horror culture, as many reproductions of it have been made and sold to the public. It features regularly in fancy dress outfits and is instantly recognisable as Ghostface.
Whilst researching the origins of the Ghostface mask, I found out that the mask was actually not designed by the costume designers of the film - in fact, it was found in a abandoned house when the film crew were scouting for a film location to use. After they found the mask they decided to trace it back to its source, Fun World - a costume company, and after intense negotiation they established an agreement to use the mask in the film.
Interestingly, while the negotiations were taking place the film crew manufactured their own mask which was similar enough to be recognisable but different enough to avoid the breach of copyright. This mask is actually used in the first few scenes in the film, and as you can see if you look closely, there are a few visible differences. The eyes and facial features of the mask are slightly more pronounced at the start of the film, and become less prominent after the first few scenes.
Whilst researching the origins of the Ghostface mask, I found out that the mask was actually not designed by the costume designers of the film - in fact, it was found in a abandoned house when the film crew were scouting for a film location to use. After they found the mask they decided to trace it back to its source, Fun World - a costume company, and after intense negotiation they established an agreement to use the mask in the film.
Interestingly, while the negotiations were taking place the film crew manufactured their own mask which was similar enough to be recognisable but different enough to avoid the breach of copyright. This mask is actually used in the first few scenes in the film, and as you can see if you look closely, there are a few visible differences. The eyes and facial features of the mask are slightly more pronounced at the start of the film, and become less prominent after the first few scenes.
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| Ghostface as he appears in the first scenes of the film |
Costume Analysis
Clothing
Ghostface wears a very simple black cloak, with black gloves. This prominent use of the colour black conceals the killer's identity, as well as contributing to the character's dark, concealed nature. The use of a long, dark cloak is a theme 'borrowed' from Gothic literature and culture, for example 'The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come' in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
The Mask
The mask is used for a number of reasons:
- dehumanises the killer
- removes the killer's identity, isolating him from the other characters
- fear-inducing facial expression
- the mask conceals the killer's hair, which again hides his identity as hair is often a personal feature that identifies everyone
-Anna Humphreys
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