LinhCelluloid Scenery - A List With a Difference
August 9th 2008 13:22
Propping Up A Scene by Linh
When actors make a scene while not performing or acting on set, it's usually frowned upon. When stage or film prop decorators make a scene, they usually gain kudos and recognition for their efforts.
Hence, the following list of favourite (un-numbered and in no particular order) film props used universally to convey messages about a character, the setting, the era/period of the film and assist with the action/drama of the plot.
Props - not just an accessory but also a necessity.
There are many, but the following is a tiny taste of the massive smorgasbord of props used in films over the years.
TELEPHONE/ MOBILE PHONE:
Communication is vital in daily life and as films reflect society's growing love of connecting, networking and socialising, the telephone/mobile phone makes regular appearances on the big (and small) screen.
BEDS:
Images of beds conjure up many thoughts including sex, sleep/rest, comfort and support.
Beds in films are both decorative (background props) or practical (sleeping in or jumping on).
The best scenes are when beds become part of a character's personality, history or catalyst for change in the storyline.
AUTOMOBILES:
Whether it's the brand name or the model, the colour or the practical uses - automobiles certainly get your attention while they're onscreen.
FOOD AND DRINKS:
The ultimate advertising and product placement opportunities are found to rely on the edible and consumable props - food and drinks.
Bad publicity is better than no publicity. McDonalds should be happy Super size Me is not another McLibel.
Coca Cola attempts to spread the fizz around the world, even in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Although the bottle is empty, the trademark design of the Coke bottle still features as part of the storyline.
Retailer ezyDVD offers a free packet of Orange Tic Tacs if you pre-order the limited edition DVD of Juno in the Tic Tacs box packaging. Another advertising ploy from Ferrero, the makers of Tic Tacs.
When actors make a scene while not performing or acting on set, it's usually frowned upon. When stage or film prop decorators make a scene, they usually gain kudos and recognition for their efforts.
Hence, the following list of favourite (un-numbered and in no particular order) film props used universally to convey messages about a character, the setting, the era/period of the film and assist with the action/drama of the plot.
Props - not just an accessory but also a necessity.
There are many, but the following is a tiny taste of the massive smorgasbord of props used in films over the years.
TELEPHONE/ MOBILE PHONE:
Communication is vital in daily life and as films reflect society's growing love of connecting, networking and socialising, the telephone/mobile phone makes regular appearances on the big (and small) screen.
RECEIVING END: Joan Deerfield (Susan Sarandon) gets some distressing news in the film In The Valley of Elah. Image: Warner Independent Pictures.
MOTIVATIONAL: Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) hits a motivational high with 'Show me the money!' in Jerry Maguire. Image: TriStar Pictures.
TRENDSETTERS: Dionne (Stacey Dash) and Cher (Alicia Silverstone) make mobile phones the latest must-have accessory in Clueless. Image: Paramount Pictures.
THREATENING: Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell) fears for his life in Phone Booth. Image: Twentieth Century Fox Films
BEDS:
Images of beds conjure up many thoughts including sex, sleep/rest, comfort and support.
Beds in films are both decorative (background props) or practical (sleeping in or jumping on).
The best scenes are when beds become part of a character's personality, history or catalyst for change in the storyline.
BED OF CHAIRS: Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks) sleeps at the airport terminal as he waits for his immigration status to be fixed in The Terminal. Image: DreamWorks Distribution/ United International Pictures.
IMMOBILE: Jean-Dominique Bauby (Mathieu Amalric) hates being bedridden as Claude (Anne Consigny) translates his eyelid movements in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Image: Miramax Films.
PLAYFUL: Donna (Meryl Streep) jumps about on the bed as she and Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski) relive their youth in Mamma Mia! the Movie. Image: Universal Pictures.
AUTOMOBILES:
Whether it's the brand name or the model, the colour or the practical uses - automobiles certainly get your attention while they're onscreen.
TIME TRAVELLER: Doctor Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) created a time machine out of a 1981 De Lorean, installed with a flux capacitor, remote control, hover conversion in the trilogy Back To The Future. Image: Universal Pictures.
BEETLE MANIA: Herbie is a 1963 Model 117 Volkswagen Type 1 (Beetle) with a personality and a mind of its own from the classic Disney films, Herbie the Love Bug, Herbie Rides Again, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Herbie Goes Bananas, Herbie: Fully Loaded. Image: Walt Disney Productions.
COLOURFUL CAR-FU : The Mach 5 is a car built for speed with style and substance in Speed Racer. Image: Warner Brothers.
SHAGGIN' WAGON: Harry (Jeff Daniels) spends his life savings turning his van into a dog in the film Dumb and Dumber. Image: New Line Cinema.
FOOD AND DRINKS:
The ultimate advertising and product placement opportunities are found to rely on the edible and consumable props - food and drinks.
FAST FOOD FREAK: Morgan Spurlock subjects himself to a 'Mac attack' of nothing but McDonalds products for 30 days in the documentary Super Size Me. Image: Showtime Independent Films.
Bad publicity is better than no publicity. McDonalds should be happy Super size Me is not another McLibel.
CULTURE SHOCK: The bushman Xi (N!xau) discovers a Coke bottle, which he's never seen before and believes it must have come from the Gods in The Gods Must Be Crazy. Image: Twentieth Century Fox Films.
Coca Cola attempts to spread the fizz around the world, even in the middle of the Kalahari Desert. Although the bottle is empty, the trademark design of the Coke bottle still features as part of the storyline.
TANGY: Orange flavoured Tic Tacs are Bleeker's (Michael Cera) favourite obsession in Juno. Image: ezyDVD.com
Retailer ezyDVD offers a free packet of Orange Tic Tacs if you pre-order the limited edition DVD of Juno in the Tic Tacs box packaging. Another advertising ploy from Ferrero, the makers of Tic Tacs.
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Linh
Celluloid Fun
I like lists but I'm not a list addict. I thought it would be fun to do something different with a list.
It's really inspired by David Letterman's legendary Top Ten List. His lists are always topical and entertaining.
Cheers!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I like lists with a twist,
Tracy