Planning: Costumes + Props

 As Zunairah and I enter the final phases of planning our romcom, we’ve realized how crucial it is to finalize our costumes and props. These elements are a major part of the film’s mise-en-scène. Before a character even speaks, what they are wearing and the objects around them already communicate important information about their personality, motivations, and role in the story. Because of this, we had to be intentional about every visual detail. By carefully planning these elements, we ensure that our mise-en-scène supports the narrative and strengthens the overall impact of our film.

Costumes:

AUDREY:

We stated in our cast sheets that our actress, Nadia, was able to provide her own costume. After discussing Audrey’s character and the tone of the opening moment, we communicated about what would visually represent her best. We wanted something athletic, realistic, and true to who Audrey is at this point in the story. Together, we decided on an outfit that felt natural but still meaningful.

When we were planning Audrey’s costume in our heads, we really wanted her to look athletic because she is out on a run and actively working toward her birthday goal. But we also wanted a little hint of chic in her outfit, because Audrey is not just about being fit or focused. She is feisty, competitive, and determined. Her outfit needed to show that she is goal-driven and subtle yet confident. The white top with its slightly flowy babydoll shape and the fitted leggings were perfect for that balance.

Audrey’s look starts with a white spaghetti-strap athletic top. It has a slightly babydoll shape,  which makes it feel cute without being overly styled. It’s practical and something you would genuinely wear on a serious run, not just for appearance. 

We paired it with fitted blue leggings designed for actual workouts. The blue is a subtle detail to make her stand out compared to the other basic legging colors. Additionally, she would wear white athletic running shoes and her hair is pulled back with a blue scrunchie, keeping it secure and out of her face. This would hint to the audience that she is athletic instead of wearing comfortable clothing. 

This outfit matters because Audrey isn’t just going for a jog. Her birthday is coming up, and she made a personal goal to get fit. That detail shapes her introduction completely. Audrey is competitive and disciplined. The athletic outfit visually communicates that she is determined. She’s not dressed up to impress anyone because she’s training and pushing herself. Even though Audrey’s outfit is athletic and all about her running goals, it still lets a bit of her personality peek through. She can still cute and herself at the same time.

MATTHIAS:

For Matthias, we wanted his costume to reflect his personality in a different way. He does not need to be chic or stylish in the same way Audrey is, but we wanted him to look effortlessly cool. The oversized shirt and loose black shorts give him that relaxed vibe. He is athletic, capable, and playful, and his outfit was meant to show that without needing any flashy accessories. Even in a simple running outfit.

On our cast sheets, we noted that the actors could provide their own costumes, so we talked with Matthias’ actor about what he would wear for the scene. He was able to provide his outfit, and together we picked an oversized white shirt, loose black shorts, and white athletic shoes. The look was simple, practical, and perfectly in line with his character.

The oversized white shirt gives him a relaxed, easygoing vibe. It’s loose and comfortable, showing that Matthias doesn’t worry too much about looking perfect . He’s a confident, casual guy. The black shorts match that relaxed feel. It’s the kind of look that shows he’s focused on being active, yet still completely himself. Similar to Audrey. Matthias would subtly match with Audrey with his white athletic shoes. The whole outfit together communicates that Matthias is chill, sporty, confident. 

Even though it’s a basic training outfit, it perfectly shows his personality. He’s laid-back, athletic, and playful, the kind of guy who’s comfortable in his own skin.

INTENTIONS:

The costume and color choices for Audrey and Matthias were completely intentional, designed not only to reflect their individual personalities but also to subtly hint at their connection. Both characters wear white athletic shoes, which may seem like a small detail, but it creates a visual link between them. Even before they speak or interact, the audience can notice a subtle connections in their appearances.

Audrey’s athletic white top and fitted blue leggings highlight her determination and goal-oriented personality, while still keeping her cute and approachable. Matthias’ oversized white shirt and black shorts show his relaxed, easygoing vibe, but the inclusion of white shoes mirrors Audrey’s outfit in a subtle way. 

The use of similar tones also reinforces the theme of contrast and compatibility. Audrey’s look is more structured and goal-focused, while Matthias’ outfit is loose and casual. Yet the shared color elements create a visual connection, hinting at how their personalities might complement each other despite their differences. Even small costume details like these help tell the story, preparing the audience for their playful, slightly chaotic meet-cute.

The costumes communicate character, mood, and subtle storytelling cues. The deliberate choices in clothing and color coordination help set up the tension, chemistry, and potential romance between Audrey and Matthias, all before a single word of dialogue is spoken.

Props:

AUDREY"S PHONE:

For Audrey’s phone we planned to use Nadia’s own phone. It is pink with a lily design on the case, which gives it a personal and cute touch that really fits her character. It feels like something a teenage girl like Audrey would actually have. 

We decided the phone would be used to show a notification on the screen. We are not completely sure what the number will be, but we are thinking three. Three days until her birthday seems like a good number. It is short, easy to read, and immediately tells the audience why Audrey is running and why this moment matters to her.

Even though it is just a small prop, the phone communicates a lot about Audrey. The color and design show her personality while the notification helps explain her motivation. It is a simple way to visually show who she is and what her goal is, even before the scene really starts.

RANDOM SOCCER BALL:

For the soccer ball, we decided to use one from my own collection. I used to play soccer when I was younger, so I have a few soccer balls around the house. The one we are planning to use is yellow with blue and red designs because it would stand out.

At first, we thought about using a hockey ball because Matthias is a hockey player and he would naturally be training with one. But while planning, we realized that would cause a few problems. First, it would look really strange for him to practice hockey on grass instead of a rink. Second, the hockey ball is so small that it would be awkward for the physical interaction with Audrey. It would be hard to film them bumping into each other over such a tiny ball, and it would not create the playful chaos we wanted for the scene.

Using a soccer ball solved both of those issues. It is bigger, easy to see, and more natural for the kind of physical interaction we need. In the scene, a random kid will kick the ball toward Matthias and Audrey, and they will start arguing about who gets to kick it back. The size and bounce of the soccer ball make the encounter dynamic and fun, and it gives the actors room to react physically in a way that feels believable.