Props are particularly important for creating a sense of verisimilitude, especially for soap operas as they tend to be set in a very realistic environment.
Each character has their own props that are associated with their personalities and lifestyle. For example, Ryan Parker the local mechanic will usually be seen carrying a spanner or some form of tool.
There are 11 confirmed props that will be used in the trailer of our soap opera, and 4 props that will potentially be used.
Confirmed Props
Bench: This prop is associated with Jennifer Ward, Mill Lane's pregnant resident. In the trailer, she is seen sitting on a bench at the Broomfield Mill and is watching Barry Brooker and Charlie Collins return from their hunt in the distance.
It is important that the bench is wooden and aged to reflect the rural countryside around her. Because this prop is not of any visual importance, it is essential that it blends into the scenery and does not stand out or draw attention to itself.
Broken Down Car: This prop is associated with Harriet Collins, daughter of farm owners Charlie and Sue Collins. In the trailer, she is seen standing beside it as local mechanic Ryan Parker attempts to repair the vehicle. The prop is used to gain Ryan's attention, and is symbolic of how destructive and broken down their relationship is.
Cleaning Cloth & Agent: This prop is associated with Barry Brooker and Marcus Brooker, and is used in the last scenes of the soap trailer. Barry angrily slams the props on the table before Marcus, which reflects Barry's thoughts of Marcus needing to get his act together.
Walking Stick: This prop is associated with Edith Jones, Mill Lane's eldest resident. In the trailer, she is seen clutching the walking stick by her side and leaning on it for support. This connotes the vulnerability and fragility of her age, and implies that she needs constant support.
This view of elderly people is very stereotypical, but generally realistic and true. The walking stick is used to exaggerate the contrast in age between Edith and the younger residents of Mill Lane to show that several generations live and coincide with each other in one location.
Newspaper/Magazine: This prop is associated with Marcus Brooker, adopted son of local pub owner Barry Brooker. This prop is particularly important as it expresses Marcus' interests and career aspirations, and introduces his personality and beliefs through the fact that he is reading a women's magazine. The implication that Marcus is homosexual is evident, and therefore informs the audience of what type of story lines our soap opera entails.
The magazine will be obviously a women's magazine, and will advertise on the front cover a story about the life of a hairdresser and why the reader should consider it as a career choice. Although there is no evidence that Marcus will be reading that particular article, the cover line will attract so much attention that the viewer's first impression would be that Marcus is intently reading about that story.
Pub Table & Chair: This prop is also associated with Marcus Brooker, but belongs to the pub in which Barry Brooker owns. Like the bench, the table and chair hold no significant visual importance, but add to the casual and laid back atmosphere of the Kings Arms pub and general rural lifestyle.
It is important that these props are wooden and old-fashioned to reflect the age and style of the pub. Because this prop is not of any visual importance, it is important it blends into the environment around it and does not stand out or draw attention to itself.
Rachel's Car: This prop belongs to Rachel Mannings, Mill Lane's newest resident. As Rachel is the character that creates conflict in Mill Lane, it is important her props hold connotations of danger, destruction and even death.
Rachel Mannings' is not a wealthy character and is considered to be of a lower social class than the other residents of 'Mill Lane'. This is portrayed through her vehicle, as it is very common and affordable as opposed to a more expensive car like a Lincoln or BMW. The colour of her car is black, and holds strong connotations of death and danger.
Sun Glasses: This prop also belongs to Rachel Mannings, and is considered a prop as opposed to costume. This is because during the trailer, she removes the glasses to reveal a particular facial expression, which in turn sends a message to the audience about the important role of her glasses.
The glasses are black and darkly shaded, making them difficult to see her eyes. Relating to the saying 'the eyes are the window to the soul', wearing sun glasses gives the audience the impression that she is intentionally hiding something, and creates a sense of mystery. The dark black shades also hold connotations of danger.
Toolkit/Spanner: This prop is associated with Ryan Parker, local mechanic of 'Mill Lane'. The spanner or toolkit he will possess in the trailer shows the audience that he is a mechanic as is very capable of fixing things, which is associated with the traditional male figure who would be in charge of house repairs and DIY. Therefore, the tools denote his masculinity.
Potential Props
Shooting Guns: These props are associated with Barry Brooker and Charlie Collins. When they return from their hunt in the trailer, they may or may not be possessing a shooting gun in their hands.
The reason this is a potential prop and is not confirmed is because we are filming in a public place, and if the guns look realistic, they could concern or upset members of the public and small children. One reason why we should confirm these props to be used in the trailer of our soap is because without them, there is no implication that the characters have been hunting.
Styrofoam Cup of Coffee/Tea: This prop is associated with either Edith Jones, Simon Claude or both of these characters. It will be used in the trailer when the couple are seen casually chattng over a garden wall.
The reason this is a potential prop and is not confirmed is because holding a cup of coffee or tea outdoors usually implies that the weather is cold. If we want to film in natural sunlight, this prop would contradict the lighting and give the impression that the weather is much colder than it looks. One reason why we should confirm this prop to be used in the trailer of our soap is because it creates a casual and laid-back atmosphere, which reflects the rural setting around them.
