Misfit's Deconstruction (Focusing On The Character Nikki)

Misfits is a British television drama (urban/scifi/teen) which breaks stereotypes through using unruly teenagers on probation. It has the same gritty type of feel as our film aims for. This deconstruction looks at an episode involving Nikki,  who our group chose to focus on as she is similar to our main character. This is due to her involvement with the group of probation seems unlikely at first and is slightly similar to the storyline in our film.

Nikki is an un-likely member of the Misfits group. Originally seen in a flash-forward during episode two she enters into this scene when the Misfits break into her flat. Unlike the 'asbo' gang, Nikki  has committed no crimes but becomes involved in their adventures through Curtis. She has a heart condition and needs a heart transplant. This sad storyline is not typical of most teen dramas and gives Nikki’s character an alternate dimension.

Nikki’s costumes  in this episode are neutral colored and casual wear: jeans and an ordinary T-shirt.  Her clothing is low-key and typical of a young woman. Her clothing is a good use of inspiration as we want to dress our character in stereotypical casual clothing creating a bit of enigma when she decides to join the riots.

Like the other characters she has attitude and seems rude when she first meets the group but she also seems more mature and less likely to make trouble. In this way she’s similar to the main character (played by Cally) in our film.

The non diegetic narrative at the opening of the scene showed that Nikki’s character  is straight speaking  and stubborn. She confronts the group asking “what are you doing here?”

The moment it dawns on Curtis that this is the girl from his flash forward the jump cuts to Nikki. The use of this technique suggests a relationship between the two is about to begin as they become the focus of that section of the episode. A medium shot of Nikki shows that she is an ordinary woman; casually dressed making her seem unassuming and contrasting with the vision Curtis had of her dressed as a super human on the edge of a roof.

In the episode there are connotations of her super hero outfit in contrast to her everyday clothing. In her super hero outfit she seems strong as though she also has a power, similarly to the other Misfits. Perhaps she’s there to help Curtis? The outfit is tight and shiny showing her sexuality.   Whereas in her everyday clothes she is represented so she appears unremarkable; the plain, simple style of her clothes suggesting she’s not outgoing. Her clothes are in dull colors such as beige and grey perhaps reflecting how she doesn’t take risks and her illness. It’s improbable she’ll become part of the gang. This where she is similar to our main character; her clothing and upbringing challenges the stereotype of the rioters.
.

Above is a fan video made of Nikki, it shows sides of her character which we are not trying to portray in our protagonist i.e. being overtly sexual. However it also shows her looking doubtful and how her social choices have put her into difficult and sometimes dangerous situations.