Analyzing Characters

 Hey guys! After having discussed the specific outfits and costumes of our characters in the film opener, it is now time to go in-depth with analyzing each character in terms of both their physical and mental characteristics. 

Raina (Me) (The "Party Friend" who puts on a facade)

Physical Characteristics: For my physical characteristics in the opener, I am an Asian American around the age of 16 in my sophomore year of high school, who is dedicated to sports. I portray an energetic personality with performative smiles and chattiness. I am in a stage of denial and thus using a bubbly persona to distract myself from the grief. 

Costuming: As for my outfits, in the flashback of when Jahzara was still alive, I wore pastel colors, such as a pastel blue floral crop top and jean shorts. This outfit gives a trendy and sweet look to my character. This is essentially my true self "before." However, after Jahzara's death, my new look (facade) is still similar, just a bit more performative in that I am now wearing a pastel button-up and a white tennis skirt to give a look of preppiness and overly put-together. This costume choice is to give me an exaggerated sense of normality in that the coordinated outfit is kind of like armor. Its perfection reveals my desperation to be seen as okay. 

Prop: My prop, while subtle, is my phone with a bedazzled phone case (which eventually changes to pure black). Since I am the energetic friend, I always have my phone and am constantly using it. In a way, it symbolizes another distraction that my character uses to cope with grief. I constantly use social media for validation and to allow my mind to wander off about something else. 

Psychological state: Raina's mental state is in genuine chaos. She is in a constant battle between reality and delusion. She believes that if she acts unfazed, everything will be fine. Her internal conflict is the immense strain of the facade she puts up, which, rather than benefiting her in the long run, it isolates her more than the grief itself. This chaotic mental state causes her to distance herself from the overall friend group, as hanging around them makes her feelings more intense. Essentially, she is avoidant of issues and suffers from hyper-independence. 

Emijola: The depressed friend

Physical Characteristics: In the movie opener, Emi is portrayed as an African American around the age of 15 in her sophomore year of high school. She has a studious and nerdy look to her, in that she is an academic weapon. She loves reading and writing, the stereotypical bookworm. In terms of her personality, she is quite an introvert. She is rather quiet and emotionally overwhelmed. Since she loves writing, she expresses herself and deals with her sadness through it. 

Costuming: Before Jahzara's death, she typically wore pastel colors and patterned clothing, such as a sunny yellow halter top and jeans. After Jahzara's death, she switches to a baggy black hoodie and sweatpants outfit combination. This is a sharp contrast and helps symbolize her desire to disappear from the world ever since her bestfriend passed away. The complete elimination of color in her outfit shows how the grief has completely consumed her. 

Prop: Emi will carry no specific prop, as this signifies she has no energy to even hold onto anything left that the world has to offer. This shows the true depression that she is in.

Psychological state: Emi is in a mental state of despair and withdrawal. She is trying to heal and be better, but the grief is swallowing her no matter how hard she tries. She represents the people in the world who suffer from grief so much that they end up self-destructing. In a way, she has attachment issues; once she gets attached (such as to Jahzara), it is really hard for her to let go. 

Ngoc: The Mediator

Physical Characteristics: In the movie opener, Ngoc is also an Asian American around the age of 15 in her sophomore year of high school. She is also very studious, but in subjects such as math and science rather than reading/writing. She is a mix between an extrovert and an introvert. She loves being chatty but only with those she cherishes. In a way, she is the "mom" friend of the group. She is super communicative and tries to avoid deflection.

Costuming: Before Jahzara's death, she wears a clean white quarter-zip and jeans, with white signifying her pure intentions as the nurturer/peacekeeper. After Jahzara's death, she switches to a beige crewneck and darker jeans. Her once hopeful persona has been soiled by exhaustion (white to beige). She has not changed her style, but a bit of the color in her life has been drained away. This shows how the burden of keeping the friend group together is draining her. 

Prop: Ngoc carries a plush keychain on her backpack all the time (it's from Jahzara). It represents a wholesome token of their past closeness/friendship. The fact that she carries it every day shows her loyalty and devotion to the friendship. It symbolizes her motivation to hold onto the past and her role as the mediator in the friend group. 

Psychological State: Ngoc's mental state is one of constant exhaustion. She is drowning not only in her own grief but in the responsibility of holding together everyone else's emotions. Her internal conflict is the coming realization that some things cannot be fixed and that she will have to accept it for what it is. Essentially, Ngoc is very communicative and open to discussing issues. She is the opposite of Raina, as in she is never avoidant of problems. 

Jahzara: The friend who passed away

Since Jahzara is the friend who passed away, there is not too much insight into her as a person, but she is portrayed as an African American around the age of 16. She has passed away before making it to her sophomore year of high school. She had an extroverted personality and was the "leader" of the group. The main feature of her is that she is bald and wears a plain black t-shirt and grey sweatpants. This look makes her look sick and allows the audience to view her as essentially a patient at a hospital. Jahzara is the silence at the center of the story. Her loss is what propels the different effects of grief on Raina, Emi, and Ngoc.