Hairspray

Cultural + Costume Design

Yes. Yes, Yes, YES. This movie, is one of my all time favourites. The music, the story, the attention to detail is something that is constantly bringing me back. In fact I'm certain I've watched this movie in excess of 20 times. The music in this movie is what initially grabbed my attention, however, the exact replica of 1950's/60's America is what keeps me entranced by this movie, and each time i watch it, I notice something new. 

Rita Ryack is the costume designer for the film, and boy oh boy, did that woman have her work cut out for her. She needed both time specific, gender specific and race specific clothing for a very large cast. Costumes range from the classic fit and flare of the 50's to the modern tight clothes of the 60's. The male costumes are how I wish men still dressed. #mattgetonit. 

Although the costumes are literally on point, its the unseen talent of the FX team that got me on this one. John Travolta plays the mother of our main character. I know, THE MOTHER. Below I've put a link to the behind the scenes action that takes place when creating the "fat suit" for John. 

All these costumes and fat suits, would be nothing without the compelling storyline. A g

group of white american students, choose to help their african-american counterparts become integrated into society. Running along side this story is one of acceptance, where the main character, Tracy, an overweight young lady, wishes to be treated equally and accepted by her peers.

through musical numbers, and a whole lot of dance numbers, the cast successfully make the "corny collins show" integrated. 

This film still makes me get up and dance, sing and cry every time. I love the story, and although it doesn't appeal to my exact life, everyone can appreciate a good sing along, and a story of acceptance.

Bella xx

Hairspray Production Design Review

Adam Shankman’s 2007 remake of Hairspray leaves you feeling happy, upbeat and ready to sing and dance for hours. Compared to John Waters’ 1988 film, Shankman’s feels more heightened in a way, especially with production design and costuming. The difference between the classes, or between Tracy and the people on the Corny Collins Show feels bigger. The colour and sound of the Corny Collins set are big and bright, larger than life. Of course, it’s quite obvious that this is because of the set not being real life, but the cast members of the show take on this air (Amber in particular) and even in their clothes, they don’t seem to fit into their ordinary school lives before they rush off to dance on the show. This only makes their status higher, and when Tracy attempts to audition for the show it’s obvious even from her clothes that being accepted in this elite group only happens when you’re very fortunate.

Tracy’s home is also quite dull in regards to colour – it feels normal, ordinary and familiar. The school does too, with colours and furniture that would be found in a typical high school. Colour is a big thing here – the brighter and bolder the colour, the more people in the story are drawn to the people in these environments. People feel compelled to look towards the people and places that seem better than their own lives. Production designer David Gropman and costume designer


Rita Ryack have worked together brilliantly on this film, the costumes fit the environment the sets create perfectly, as well as expressing the time period.

When Tracy is accepted into the show and starts to be accepted by the cast members (apart from Amber), she also receives an invitation for sponsorship. This results in new clothes for both her and her mother, making her feel better and more a part of the group, and elevating her to the status of the rest of the group.

At the end of the film, the Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant serves as the set for the showdown between Tracy and Amber, and the family and friends that have been pulled into the whole event. Bright, sparkly and full of life, the aerosol-filled show looks perfect for the stereotypical look we think of when the 1960s are mentioned.

Georgia x

Hairspray Music/Soundtrack Review

Can we all just admit that every time Hairspray is on TV or you hear one of the songs somewhere, you break into song and do some funky dance moves without a care in the world? Or is that just me?

Anyways- as you can tell Hairspray is the chosen movie for this week and I had a seriously hard time finding something wrong with the soundtrack to blab on about. This movie and soundtrack is pretty much perfect!!

Although I probably wouldn’t listen to the sound track during my free time for self-embarrassment issues/reasons (breaking out into a song ballad and dance routine in the middle of the street probably isn’t the best thing to do) I would 11/10 recommend that people watch the movie and memorise every lyric and dance move.

Be it through the catchy and relatable lyrics or the actual instrumental that is different in each song, this soundtrack is deffs a favourite.

It also helps when Zac Effron is in the movie (Link+Tracy=4eva) and Elijah Kelley (Seaweed) and John Travolta and every other cast member because they are all so talented and amazing.

By now I'm sure you’ve realised that I'm struggling to criticise this soundtrack since it’s so good! So I'm just going to leave you with a couple of my favourite songs and let you move on with your merry lives!

Enjoy!

'Run and Tell That'

'Ladies' Choice'

'You Can't Stop The Beat'

Stay tuned for next week as it’s our last movie *tear*.

Ta ta for now,

Micayla