The props I am going to talk about are all ones which have a key role in the plot of the story as they either delay the main character (Faith) causing her to be late or move the plot forward. Some of the props which I am going to be mentioning are ones which are vital to the main storyline of how she meets the other character (Olly).
A prop is an object that is present in a film, that is used by actors or as a way of conveying a message to an audience. These can be as simple as everyday objects to props generically associated with for e.g. signature weapons, or tools used by a character. Props can also be of great significance to the plot of the film. An example of this type of prop is the one which is used in the short 'The Black Hole'. The black hole is a piece of paper with a large black circle printed onto it which has mysterious properties, this acts as the plot device. A plot device being anything that moves a plot forward can emerge naturally from the setting or characters and have a significant part in the film but may even be unnoticed by the audience until the end.
The prop works alongside the set designer, costume designer and lighting designers, and on some occasions the sound designer. Over the course of film making the prop has developed a more important role and becomes as crucial as the sound and lighting as it can hold certain stereotypes alongside it or have a significant meaning.
In our film we do not have any props that are noticeable plot devices until they are interacted with the characters. With the only notable objects being Faiths pen at the interview, and the Glass in Faith's home that either smashes or is quickly caught in mid air depending on the sequence. The pen is significant because it is the reason why she bumps into Olly during the interview sequence and the glass is significant of her being late for the interview.
There is also a watch and phone that is a main prop as it is the reason why she bumps into Olly (Main male) during the train sequence as they are both late for the train but the way both are dressed hints that they are both attending similar things but it is not clearly recognisable.
Now that we have done prop research we can ensure that all props are accessible on the day of filming and we can make the plot devices a pivoting point in the short film.
Here is a list of all the props which have a form of significance to the movement and pace of the plot.
Prop Representations
- Hairdryer, hair-styler and brush - Shows that she cares about her appearance and that she is very much image conscious
- Jewellery - This will be used to show that the character is from a rich background; this is also shown by the larger than average house she is living in for her age. Having jewellery like a necklace with diamonds will show that the characters taste is 'expensive'
- Formal wear – this will be worn by both characters as it has a hidden ideology as the audience don’t have any idea as to what the male character is doing or where he is going. The way the characters dress is suited to a job interview
- Phone - This will be used as an alarm to wake up the protagonist (Faith) therefore this prop moves the plot forward.
- Glass – The glass is significant as it delays the protagonist, delaying the plot. When the glass smashed Faith is delayed and ends up missing the train that she is catching leading her to meeting the ‘person of her dreams’.
- Pen – The pen is significant as it creates tension, as this is the prop crucial to the two main characters crossing paths. This scene will be dragged out so the audience thing that the male character isn’t going to return the pen.
- Broom - This prop also delays the plot as she has to use this to clean up the glass that she previously smashed
- Other props - These will be those which distinguish both the bedroom and the kitchen for example, kitchen utensils.
The following is a props list, this is explaining the above props, showing the scenes and frames there in and which characters posses them or have them.
Now that i have created the prop research i can now move onto the next stage of my research which is the script where i will embed our own script and compare it to existing ones.
