The need for recognition or somesuch

[gilmore]

I don't know about buttons and badges, but organizational affiliations are prominently displayed in colors that contrast to the background----usually white on dark blue---in order to distinguish quickly and clearly who is with which agency, especially in confusing situations that involve large numbers of cops and criminals, such as raids.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

In screen writing clothing is rarely mentioned unless it is necessary to be shown for a specific reason...

Typically a script might look like this:

* * * * *

INT. Inside the Police Van. DAY.

Ted looks around, sees a vest with the word POLICE on the back and puts it on.

TED
(to himself)
I hope they understand this in the UK!

EXT. Looking at the Police Van. IMMEDIATELY

Ted slips out of the van wearing the Police Vest and moves through the swarm of cops without arousing suspicion. As he reaches the yellow tape at the perimeter of the crime scene a heavy hand grabs him by the shoulder. Ted turns around and looks into the face of MUSSANO, the toughest, meanest cop anyone has ever seen.

MUSSANO
You the new guy?

Ted, about to wet himself he's so frightened, nods in response.

MUSSANO
(tugging on Ted's vest)
Thought so. You new guys always wear these.

* * * * *

Here the Police Vest is described by the writer because it helps Ted escape, and it brings him into contact with another character who will become important later in the story. It also sets up Mussano, a bully, who likes to push around the new guys, and identifies them by their vests. So, in this particular scene only the vest needs to be described-- everything else is left to the creative imagination of the production team.

Once the script is turned in it's up to the production team to decide how the picture will look. The writer only supplies the necessary details, leaving things like costumes, and stage direction, and camera angles to be figured out by someone else.

(For all you film guys out there, I can't get this to format, but I'm sure you get the idea.)

[Bugbear]

In screen writing clothing is rarely mentioned unless it is necessary to be shown for a specific reason...

Typically a script might look like this:

* * * * *

INT. Inside the Police Van. DAY.

Ted looks around, sees a vest with the word POLICE on the back and puts it on.

TED
(to himself)
I hope they understand this in the UK!

EXT. Looking at the Police Van. IMMEDIATELY

Ted slips out of the van wearing the Police Vest and moves through the swarm of cops without arousing suspicion. As he reaches the yellow tape at the perimeter of the crime scene a heavy hand grabs him by the shoulder. Ted turns around and looks into the face of MUSSANO, the toughest, meanest cop anyone has ever seen.

MUSSANO
You the new guy?

Ted, about to wet himself he's so frightened, nods in response.

MUSSANO
(tugging on Ted's vest)
Thought so. You new guys always wear these.

* * * * *

Here the Police Vest is described by the writer because it helps Ted escape, and it brings him into contact with another character who will become important later in the story. It also sets up Mussano, a bully, who likes to push around the new guys, and identifies them by their vests. So, in this particular scene only the vest needs to be described-- everything else is left to the creative imagination of the production team.

Once the script is turned in it's up to the production team to decide how the picture will look. The writer only supplies the necessary details, leaving things like costumes, and stage direction, and camera angles to be figured out by someone else.

(For all you film guys out there, I can't get this to format, but I'm sure you get the idea.)

[Kett]

Ok, its not the writers, it's the costume department or whatever they are called. Regardless, it's overdone compared to real life IMO.

[Bugbear]

Who cares! I've had my fifteen seconds of fame!

I do remember from a screne writing course in college that the format was a bugbear, at least for me.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Ok, its not the writers, it's the costume department or whatever they are called. Regardless, it's overdone compared to real life IMO.

Yeah, it is. But that's what makes movies more exciting than real life. Most of the time.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Thank you, Ted.

[dowofbuchanan]

Ted

That's a side effect of having grown up primarily on a diet of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

I get the hint, I didn't mean to stereotype nor be disrespectful!

As for portrayal of outfits, I can imagine the movie/telly business always leans towards overkill. It's the same with the obligatory 'hand on the head' as the crook is pushed into the squad car.

Back to kilts, I suppose media portrayal of all things Scottish might lead some to some pretty weird conclusions as to what you're likely to find on a street in Aberdeen or Dunoon!

Slainte

Bruce

actually hand on the head thing happens to me most of the probably 20 times ive been in car in cuffs .. thats actually for help since you arent as flexible with your arms behind you they generally have one hand on your arm and one on your head guiding you into the car so you dont fall over and injure yourself. but thats just me. also our squad cars have moved to low profile invisible reflector decals

[kiltimabar]

I wouldn't say it's movie overkill. While most police and sheriffs wear uniforms (except detectives), most federal agents (of which I was one) do not. If we were doing a raid, even at a single family residence, it was necessary to have at least two teams, front and back, and often there were officers from more than one agency, plus local police; and in low-light conditions in fast-moving situations, identifying the good guys from all others was crucial--you just can't be too conspicuous. Also you don't want to have the bad guys shooting you by mistake thinking it's a home invasion by rival drug robbers. If they do shoot you, you want to be sure they can't claim self defense on that basis.

I had not only an armored vest with embroidered badge and MARSHAL on both sides, but also an inconspicuous jacket that had pull-down flaps with the ID, which could be pulled down, plus a light nylon jacket with neon yellow paint on both sides and down the arms that practically glowed in the dark for non-threatening situations.

[bigdad1]

Perhaps I have been looking at the wrong pictures but what I have seen of British uniforms and such are just as adorned as anything here in the U.S. is. Large sashes and huge rosettes and medals for everything from a good at bat in a cricket game to your ancestor helping sink the Spanish Armada. Did Prince Charles really earn all those medals? I think those of you being critical of the way we dress are taking what you see in the movies and on television and assuming it is reality. I don't think Mrs. Marple is true to life so why should you think CSI is? The British soldiers weren't called the Redcoats because they were so plainly dressed. I think appearances need to be put into proper perspective. We aren't British and you aren't American.