Prop and Set Design

 Hello everyone! For today's blog post we will be discussing AND researching about props and set design! Props and set design will essentially provide an insight to the audience of how our characters are portrayed. For our portfolio project, the set design will have pencils, papers, calculators, and even more items to demonstrate Asher as the main character. But for now, lets research! 

Props are pretty much items or objects that actors may interact with on screen. As for set design, it refers to the overall setting or environment of where everything takes place. Like how it will be decorated or will any objects have meanings, does it mean something in the way we set it up, pretty much those kind things if that makes sense. 

Examples & Research:

In Get Out, everyday objects like the teacup become tools of control. What seems harmless at first slowly means something else.  This shift creates tension because the audience begins to see the ordinary items as something related to danger. I want to achieve that by showing the pencil in Asher's hand, and showing that it later becomes a weapon. Something as ordinary as a pencil, can be shown as something must worse. 

In Shutter Island, the asylum’s dark narrow hallways, and harsh stone textures create claustrophobia. The effect of set design that's doen here is exactly how I want to imitate in my portfolio. But of course, with a different kind of effect. 

But overall, in psychological thrillers especially, small details in the background often hints at what happens in the future. Like, a
cracked mirror or an unfinished drawing can show the secrecy. 

Now, for our portfolio project, we will use props and set design to display Asher’s character without directly stating who he is.

Our set design will include:

• Pencils scattered across the desk

• Papers filled with writings

• A calculator

• Possibly stacked textbooks

These items suggest that Asher is academic AND detail-oriented. However, I want the audience to see that the items are arranged in a certain way for a reason. In summary, these were our ideas as a group, and I believe these movies use props and set designs amazingly. :D  Hopefully, the vision that I'm aiming to show is understood in some way.