Planning: Props

Sets and props help to create the background and helps to develop subtexts within productions, but it's usually best to keep them simple. Shakespeare's stage used little in the way of set, and the modern trend is also to keep things simple and easily visual. In our two minute film opening we have decided to limit the amount of props used on our set but also in the same instance make sure we have the essentials to give a full background and subtext to our characters and the scenes. Below i have listed some of the key essential props we are going to use in our productions.

Whiskey:
Using the whiskey as a prop was essential as it helped to develop and extend the characterisation of John Wayne as it does not subvert the stereotypes of his onscreen character.. The whiskey supported the rough edge to the character as the film is going to open with John passed out holding a bottle of whiskey, which conveys an unstable feature.

Glass:
The glass we used was so it could represent his messy, unclean lifestyle as on the table it would be left full whilst he has a different drink, showing he is to lazy to clean up.

Candle:
The use of the candle as a prop is very interesting. The candle has religious connotations of good and evil. This is conveyed through the flame. When it is lit it portrays a sense of good and when it is put out there is a sense of evil. We also implemented this as our narrative structure would fit this in really well by having a lit candle blow out and then the bad things from the narrative would begin to appear.

Manual printed photograph:
The manual printed photograph was a picture of the victim from the film opening with crosses over her eyes and mouth. We developed and printed our photo manually to give a different edge that a normal digital print wouldn't have. As well as this in the picture the girl fulfils all female stereotypes to clearly show she is the spoken about girl in the opening without a label.

Phone:
The phone was a keep prop for our narrative as it would call as John arises from passing out and then creates a sense of urgency for himself and also develops the angry persona of the Chief Inspector as he has a reason to be mad with John.

Cigarette:
Using the cigarettes were important to show the stressful lifestyles that John and the Inspector have and also conveys Johns unclean, messy persona as he smokes as soon as he wakes from his drunken sleep.

Match:
I added the prop of a match instead of a normal lighter as I knew the flame could be used to capture some interesting cinematic shots.

Police Tape:
The police tape was a key feature for the visuals in one scene to create an obvious visual narrative of a crime scene.

Wallet:
The wallet was added for the character of John as if it was an identification wallet so he can flash it and not have to have a badge or official police uniform to see his character. The wallet also creates an interesting entry scene between John and the police guard officer.