Video Project - The Snapshot (Set Design/Props) by

Week 1: First meeting of pre-production (26/02/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-04-30 14:10:11 UTC

We started off the meeting by reading through the script and familiarising ourselves with our roles. As we read through I took notes of each character and their potential makeup/hair for each scene. I also took notes of locations and how the set design team could dress each scene. I am feeling quite daunted about dressing each scene and sourcing the props due to the large presence of technology in the film. I also have had a conversation with the location manager about each scene and how I would dress the set once I know what locations we are using.

Week 2 - Set Design (04/03/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-04-30 14:28:56 UTC

We decided on a muted colour palette with greens and browns for Grace's flat/house. We want it to be a calming set with organised mess so as to demonstrate Grace artistic mind. Specifically magazines and books in each room so as to make the set really look like a photographer's home.

Week 3: Discovering Grace (11/03/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-04-30 16:38:35 UTC

In week 3 we discussed Grace as a person in order to properly design her house. This included discussing her interests, such as having photographs dotted on the walls to show that she is a photographer, along with film posters, as we decided she loves film.

We also decided to keep the messy room and throw around clothes as a representation for Grace's mind: creative yet unorganised.

Week 4: Organising and finalising before Easter Break (18/03/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-04-30 17:00:17 UTC

During the final week, whilst reading over the final draft, we organised the mood boards and paperwork necessary for the props/set design department to move forward with production.

Additionally we brainstormed extra props as we were unable to use the photography studio on campus for the first scene. Initially this was a setback, however it was easy to solve as we decided to book out a backdrop that we could use in any room instead.

Week 5, Pre-Production: Day 1 (15/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-01 14:33:15 UTC

On the first day back we began a full filmed run through of the film on campus in order to fully organise each scene as we rehearsed it.

I began by observing the first scene (the photography studio with Grace and Lily) and writing a full list of every prop needed:

Backdrop
Lights
Camera (Nikon)
Stool for Lily
Table for in scene props
Bag
Flashes for camera
Old tripod
Filters/diffusers
Shoes and clothes

This list was longer than initially planned as we were not able to film in a proper studio, and had to convert a room in the Bolton Magistrate's court to look like a photography Studio.

Day 1 Continued (15/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-01 14:34:45 UTC

For the rest of the day I continued to make lists for each scene and brainstorming with Vedad about new ideas for each set. This helped me yo organise my mind and decide on where to source any extra props, as I had gotten overwhelmed over the break and needed the support to organise the set and props list.

Week 5, Pre-Production Day 2 (16/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-01 14:44:58 UTC

On the second day the set design/ props team and I regrouped separate to the rest of the team in order to organise a final budget. This included figuring out where we could outsource props that were out of our budget or were not achievable in the time frame.

We specifically concentrated on the photography studio set in the first scene, as it was the first day of filming in which we would all be dressing a set and providing props. This is as opposed to the first day of filming (18/04/2024) which would be shots in the taxi and the props were already sorted out.

Week 5, Pre-Production Day 3 + 4 (17-18/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 17:52:50 UTC

I had two days off as I was not required for filming on the 18th. This is because the taxi scene did not have any set dressing and the only prop was her camera which was provided by Vedad on set. During these two days I have organised both departments and planned a day on the weekend in which Joe and I will go shopping for any extra props.

Week 5, Production Day 2 (19/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 18:02:45 UTC

On the second day of filming, which was my first day on set, we filmed in the Bolton Magistrate's Court filming the photography studio scene, the first scene in the script. We dressed the set with costumes on a coattail, shoes, makeup, a backdrop from the equipment store and broken light and camera equipment borrowed from the University. We also provided a chair as Olly (playing Lily) sits down at a point near the end of the scene. We felt very proud of the final set as it looked like a professional studio in the final result. We also attained a box light which we felt would fit the scene perfectly, but we could not use it in the end as it kept collapsing on itself.

Week 5, (20/04/2024) Shopping for Props

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 18:18:15 UTC

On the Saturday Joe and I went into Manchester to buy some props for the set. Most specifically we needed props for the interview scene (scene 13) and Grace's house (scenes 4-11). We bought three posters to decorate Grace's room as we wanted to make it more homely and like the house of an artist. We bought two Vogue posters which we thought fit the idea of Grace's home as she is a photographer. We also bought an old Science Fiction book to replace The Odyssey Through Multiverse as we could not find a copy of it.

For the interview scene we bought files for the Agents and a file briefcase to make them look more professional.

Overall we stayed well within budget whilst buying the props we needed for the next few filming days ahead.

Week 6, Production Day 3 (22/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 18:23:10 UTC

On the Monday we filmed in the University of Salford Podiatry Clinic, who let us film for a day for our hospital emergency room scene and the interview room scene.

The emergency room scene required terms of props:

Stethoscope
Blood pressure pump
Clipboard (that Joe and I bought on Saturday)
Some paper for the clipboard.

We also dressed the set by moving the bed away from the window to help to light the scene more easily and avoid glare from the windows in the scene.

Week 6, Production Day 3 (22/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 18:30:51 UTC

For the interview scene with the agents we isolated a desk in another of the Podiatry Clinic rooms to seat the Agents and Grace. Using this room made the scene seem as if the Agents had just escorted Grace to another room in the hospital which worked well with the timings in the film. We dressed the set by removing any University branded notices from the cork board in the background and replacing them with some NHS notices instead. We also kept a skeleton in the background to to emphasise the scene still took place in a hospital. The props required:

File with the confidential sticker
File briefcase
Pen for one of the Agents.
Tape recorder

We used the tape recorder provided by Vedad to up the tension in the scene and emphasise the Agents' importance in the story.

Week 6, Production Day 4 (23/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 18:47:07 UTC

On the fourth day of production I was not required on set as no set dressing was necessary only props. I spent the day organising further props and the budget. Prior to day 4 I had already leased with the people on set about the props needed for scenes 18 and 19:

Camera
Small tripod
Bag

This day off set helped my organisation and was better for my time management as I was not needed on set and I got a lot more done working from home. However, I did forget one prop which was Grace's watch, though the issue was resolved on set. This setback taught me that I need to make clearer props lists for the rest of the shooting days.

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 18:54:40 UTC

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 18:55:34 UTC

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 18:57:04 UTC

Week 6, Production Day 5 (24/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 19:07:55 UTC

On day 5 of production we were back filming in the Bolton Magistrate's Court for the last time. We had to cover scenes 21-23, the final few scenes of the film set in the Time Travel Agency.

For scene 21, in the prison cells the props required were as follows:

Camera
Briefcase bag

For scene 22, the receptionist's desk, the props required were:

Files
Fixed in time mug
Pens and pencils
Pencil box
Stapler

However, the set dressing for the receptionist's desk became more freelance as we had to fill up some more space on the desk.

Finally, the Senior Agent's office (scene 23):

Confidential File
Mission papers
Approved stamp
Quill
Ink
Briefcase
Agent's pen
Wax stamp
Time Travel Agency photo

The photo was found in the building and was a late addition to the Senior Agent's office, but added a nice personal touch in order to develop the character a bit.

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 19:09:11 UTC

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 19:11:43 UTC

Week 6, Production Day 6 (25/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 19:17:13 UTC

On the first of the two days filming in the flat we dressed the entire flat to look like a that of a photographer.

Full Props Breakdown for Grace's House (Scenes 4-11, 14-17, 20)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 19:22:28 UTC

Props for scene 4, Int. Garce's Home (Living room) - Evening

Unbranded soft drink
Cushions
Throws
Clothes to scatter around
Camera equipment
Magazines
Books
Black and White poster
Frankenstein poster
Old TV
Skull
Scooby Doo toy
Vogue Posters
Crystals

Scene 5: Int. Grace’s Home (Living Room) - Evening

Small towel

Scene 6: Int. Grace’s Home (Bathroom) - Evening

Towel
Toothbrush

Scene 7: Int. Grace’s Home (Bedroom) - Evening

Lamp
Wireless phone handset
Fairy Lights
Cat poster
Pulp Fiction poster
Depeche Mode Single
Phil Collins record
Dracula poster
Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon
Scooby Doo figurine
Blanket
Penguin toy
Alarm clock
Pencil
Notebook
Hairbrush
Earrings
Bag

Scene 8: Int. Grace’s Home - Evening

Dirty dishes
Magazines
Camera lenses
Mug
Photography Bag
Dream catcher

Scene 10: Int. Grace’s Home (Bedroom) - Evening

Wireless phone handset
Baseball bat

Scene 11: Grace’s Home (Hallways/Bathroom) - Evening

Baseball bat
Unbranded toiletries

Scene 14: Int. Grace’s Home (Kitchen) - Day

Unbranded juice
Key USB

Scene 15: Int. Grace’s Home (Living Room) - Day

iMac G3
Key USB
Camera

Scene 16: Int. Grace’s Home (Kitchen) - Day

Old camera
Letter with address

Scene 17: Int. Grace’s Home (Bedroom/Hallway) - Day

Mirror
Old camera
Letter with address
Bag
Back to the Future poster

Full Props Breakdown for Hospital (Scenes 12-13)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 21:21:33 UTC

Scene 12: Hospital Emergency Room - Dawn

Stethoscope
Blood pressure pump
Clipboard
Paper for the clipboard.

Scene 13: Int. Interview Room - Dawn

File with confidential sticker
File briefcase
Pen for one of the Agents.
Tape recorder

Full Props Breakdown for Bolton Magistrate's Court (Scenes 1, 18-23)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 21:23:29 UTC

Scene 1: Int. Grace’s Photography Studio - Day

Backdrop
Lights
Camera (Nikon)
Stool for Lily
Table for in scene props
Bag
Flashes for camera
Old tripod
Filters/diffusers
Shoes and clothes

Scene 18: Ext. Magistrate’s Court - Day

Bag
Camera

Scene 19: Int. Magistrate’s Court - Day

Camera
Bag
Watch

Scene 20: Int. Grace’s Home Bathroom - Night

Unbranded toiletries

Scene 21: Int. Prison Cells - Evening

Bag
Camera

Scene 22: Int. Time Travel Agency (Corridor/Receptionist Desk) - Morning

Files
Fixed in time mug
Pens and pencils
Pencil box
Stapler

Scene 23: Int. Time Travel Agency (Senior Agent’s Office) - Morning

Confidential File
Mission papers
Approved stamp
Quill
Ink
Briefcase
Agent's pen
Wax stamp
Time Travel Agency photo

Week 6, Production Day 7 (26/04/2024)

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 21:28:48 UTC

On the final day of filming we finished off the rest of the scene in Grace's house. We shot the montage with dishes in the sink, Grace's messy flat already set dressed and a dream catcher.

ClaudiaFawbert — 2024-05-02 22:19:25 UTC