Props Planning

Harry Swaine

Suite (smart clothes)

In order to mislead the audience into believing the protagonist is living a happy and comfortable life, his clothing at the start of the film needs to have connotations of professionality and riches. The tie is important for the opening montage, as this exaggerates his excitement to get to work, which will develop the characters fantasy.

Alarm Clock

The alarm clock will importantly act as a sound cue for the music to start, acting as a visual link as the start of the film. I will do this by timing in with the second hand, and starting the non diegetic sound on the alarm noise. It also links with the homely fantasy, that will contrast with the morning he wakes up in his real home.

Newspaper/magazineThe purchase scene will introduce the theme of money, but by having Oscar buy an everyday item like a newspaper, it means the audience an instantly relate to the character. This is important for the following story, as they audience will sympathise with the character more when it's revealed that it’s all a fantasy; linking all importantly to Drama genre. Additionally the topic of the paper/magazine could hint to a profession or hobby, adding more character development.

Computer (keyboard)The computer will be used to create a transition with the help of the radio, as the typing will be slowed down to create a distorted effect in a close up of the keys. As well as this, the computer symbolises the everyday job that everyone has, reaching out to a wide target audience. The screen could also be used to create some dramatic lighting during the transition, as the main lights could be switched off, with only the characters face lit by the screen.

Portable Radio

Probably the most important prop in the short film is the radio, as it will act as a sound bridge between reality and fantasy, changing the music from non diegetic to diegetic music. The prop is also the only item that will stay consistent in both realities, to highlight the fact that they are the same characters perceptions of reality.

Cheap Baggy Clothes

For the second half of the film,(reality) Oscar needs to look casual and lived in, so his clothes won't be expensive or smart like his work clothes from before. Hoodies and baggy trousers have connotations of being affordable and even linked with crime, which helps show the desperate state of which the protagonist is in.

Bike

This prop will be used to contrast with the car in the first scene to highlight reality vs fantasy, but also for a comedic effect, as the front wheel will fall off, exaggerating that his day can’t get any worse. It could also lead on to the character dragging along the bike in order to slow down the journey.This could be viewed as a stereotypical slapstick gesture, that will help me relate to the comedy sub genre.

Jar of Money

This object represents a pinnacle point of the plot, as the character looks into the jar to inspire him to improve his financial situation, to achieve his fantasy. The money inside the jar will be purposely random and full of change, to represent how there is no steady income, however Oscar will still be very protective over the jar, as it’s everything he has.

Pencil and Paper

Oscar will have an old bit of paper and a pencil in order to begin writing a CV, representing the characters progress, and drive for improvement. Besides this it will also provide the climax of the film following the short credit roll, where oscar decides to carry on the way he his, and screws up the paper. This is where the character's true self is revealed.