Portfolio Project: Set, Lighting, and Props

For my film opening, The Seventh Lie, the scenes take place in two different sets. One being in a dining room of a family home, and the other being the upstairs hallway. Using such an average setting, we are adding a sense of realism to such a unique story. It is unimaginable for a family to accept a stranger under the veil of their grief, so the setting acts as another factor in the thriller aspect, as it instills discomfort and fear in the audience.

The lighting throughout the scenes will be more low key as the opening occurs during nighttime at dinner. But we will be including light that spotlights onto the family, specifically Janus and Verena as they are the protagonists of the story. In addition to not showing the faces of the parents, we are further spotlighting Janus and Verena with the lighting, showing Janus as the antagonist and Verena as the truthseeker.

The props will be average decor and furniture found in an everyday home, but we will add a few distinct props throughout the opening. During the credits scene we will have a sequence of shots of different framed family pictures, filmed over joyous classical music. And throughout the sequence we will add quick shots of unsettling pictures of Janus with dark music playing over it. These photos will be the first indication of danger. In addition, in the scene where the audience will see Janus painting a fake birthmark on his face, he will pass by another family portrait with the original son, staring at it menacingly. Janus's reaction will further add to the dark and menacing mood, giving the audience a look into the threat that his character is to the family.