Portfolio Project: Props

 Props are the most essential part of our film opening, The Seventh Lie. They not only add to the visual aesthetic of the opening, but they also enhance the theme and throw clues to the audience watching. One of the two locations where we are filming the opening is the dining room. This area is where most of the opening occurs and is meant to appear normal and perfect to contrast with the thriller theme and the plot. 

When creating the props, my partner and I wanted to have very average props that could be found in the dining room of a family home. This is supposed to build the anticipation and fear in the audience with the contrast of the seemingly perfect setting, and the danger that lies underneath. So, to decorate the dining table we put together a white table cloth to symbolize innocence and perfection, alongside painted bowls, plates, glasses, and a large vase with flowers. This immediately establishes the 'normalness' of the home which will later be forgotten with the introduction of Janus and the dangers that follow. 

In addition to the dining room, another significant prop is the record player. This is what introduces the mother as a background character, and begins the uncanny music that is played through the first scene and the credit sequence. It is also where the production logo will appear as we will edit it onto the back of the record player. The classical music that is played on this prop will create an unsettling mood, especially paired with the sudden bursts of intense music during the credits.