JANE JOHNSTON ADDS DEPTH TO THE LOOK OF "THE GHOST AND THE WHALE"

Designer Jane Johnston and her work on the film The Ghost and the Whale.

  The 2017 release The Ghost and the Whale requires one to look at things differently…in a number of ways. Perhaps described as equal parts “who done it” mystery, psychological introspection, and reality suspension; it’s far from the normal thriller. Distributed by Marvista Entertainment, this character driven piece is the courtesy of writer/director/producer Anthony Gaudioso. This filmmaker had some lofty and far-fetched ideas and he approached costume designer Jane Johnston to help manifest the characters he saw in his head. The two had worked together previously on Gaudioso’s “Duke” so he was quite aware of Jane’s talent and skill. Johnston is widely known and respected for her work on productions like Macbeth (starring Sam Worthington), “A Deadly Adoption” (starring Will Ferrell & Kristen Wiig), and many others. Gaudioso required costuming that projected a sense of who the characters might be but would also keep the audience guessing at their true core and purpose. Costuming might seem simple to the unsavvy, it is however quite complex. Jane explains, “I begin with some very simple breakdowns of the script and find out how many days pass in the film and what seasons go by, what year it is set in, if there are any flashbacks, flash forwards, or fantasies. Next, I do a breakdown for each character and get to know them really well. I see who they are at the beginning of the story, how their journey affects them and how they change. I work out their arc. All of that information gives me the basis from which to work. Once I have these parameters, I start looking for clothing or fabrics which tell their story in a textural way. I start amassing clothing and putting it into the different characters being mindful that at some stage a number of these characters will be in the same scene and their costumes need to work together, whether it be in a complimentary way or to act as a contrast. Each character is an individual with a lifetime of experiences that can be expressed through their clothing.” A process like this is worthy of any director’s chair. Johnston is respected throughout the TV and film industry for her achievements in many lauded productions as well as the methodology with which she approaches every job.

 The Ghost and the Whale tells the story of Joseph Hawthorne (Maurice Benard), a bi-polar man who went off to sea with the love of his life and returned back to the sleepy town of Bodega alone. His wife’s [Annabel Lee] (played by Madeleine Hamer) disappearance and his subsequent exoneration creates a divided mystery among the town and moreover, her bloodthirsty family. A year after this event, acclaimed journalist Ed Hale (James Gaudioso) has been called to Bodega to cover Joseph’s mysterious and still untold story. Joseph’s ailment has returned, alternating between hysterical mania and crippling melancholia. Joseph frequently seeks respite down by the water with his only friend, a massive Gray Whale (voiced by Jonathan Pryce). With the help of wanna-be writer Mitch Captree (Bryan MckKinley), Ed hopes to navigate the terrain and local customs. After ten years of incarceration, Annabel’s brother, Jack Lee (portrayed by Anthony Gaudioso) returns home to exact his revenge. Both Ed and Joseph must survive long enough to unveil the truth before the Lee’s bury them both.

 Designing the costuming for this film (and all of her projects) may be a thought out process for Johnston but it is unique to every production and actor. She explains, “Once actors were chosen for the roles, I would study their body type and coloring and start to formulate ideas for them. I start by finding the silhouette and the weights and textures of the fabrics I think suitable, then the color or colors emerge. Once I have found the basis of the look, I expand within that same world, experimenting with added details to see if they advance the character. Then, if multiple costumes are required, I dance in that world developing on it until I have the required ‘closet’ of clothes to be worn for that character. I talk with the actors to see if they have any specific thoughts about what they should be wearing and why. Some of the male characters just seemed to show up like ’t-shirt wearers,’ or ‘thermals’, while others seemed to need a collar and wear button thru’s… some clothing should be more fitted, while others, loose.…I start looking for pieces of clothing that will ‘make’ the character, and from there I can build upon it. They all needed coats because it was cold, so often these coats became the key pieces. Before my fittings begin, I will have a pretty good idea of how each character could look and how they are differentiated from another character. I work out the palette of colors, making sure that they work for the actors own coloring to produce the desired effect. Then in the fitting I ‘pitch’ my ideas to the actors and illustrate their journey as I see it, through clothes. We then start the ‘try on’ process and see what comes out of it. This is a lot of fun, but also quite exhausting. I really enjoy the process of uncovering who the character is! Once shooting begins, I am always looking to see if my designs are working and will tweak them if necessary but mostly I feel confident I have captured the essence of what we are trying to achieve.”

  The Ghost and the Whale keeps the viewer constantly guessing about a number of people and events. While not “breaking the fourth wall” one amusing fact is that the film’s creator appears as the most menacing character onscreen. Yes, that’s Anthony Gaudioso as the frightening Jack Lee. The character gave both Gaudioso and Johnston a chance to have some “over the top” fun with this antagonist. Jane confesses, “When Anthony had created the character of Jack Lee, he came to me with some strong ideas…which I loved. Ant throws himself into his work and I knew his ideas would take Jack Lee in the right direction. My responsibility was for the outward signs of the character but if I can help an actor delve deeper into the psyche of who they are portraying then I have done my job well. Jack Lee was terrifying; someone you’d never want to mess with. Anthony had an almost childlike enthusiasm when he’d talk about Jack Lee. He was amazing. He gained lots of weight and shaved his head and grew a beard. He also wore an eye piece that gave his eye a milky quality and had a big scar down his face. When I’m presented with a character like that, I let it evolve. Jack’s intention was to intimidate and harm those he thinks responsible for the death of his sister. He had spent a long time behind bars and was able to plan his revenge; I needed to show that through his clothing.” Gaudioso seems to find the same qualities of exceptionalism and commitment in Johnston as she does in him as he states, “Jane is essential to me when I'm shooting and as I'm currently developing 3 projects, I look forward to another brilliant collaboration. I cannot emphasize more how talented, intelligent, and hardworking this woman is. I first met Jane in 2010 when I was prepping my Los Angeles based crime drama, Duke. Immediately, she became my most valued key position in production and an irreplaceable asset to the team. Jane amazes me in the fact that she is in the elite of her field and yet seems to find ways to outperform herself every time I get the opportunity to work with her.”