Short Film Preparation: Props I Need

I have decided to make a list of the props I will require when filming, so that I am prepared to follow the storyboard and the screenplay as exactly as I possibly can.

Scales

In the film, Jess will be shown to weigh herself during the first scene. I want the scales to be quite flat and modern looking as I want it to represent how accurate Jess likes to be with things regarding her weight and her eating.

Phone

Jess will be using her phone in the first scene to demonstrate her addiction and determination to be dangerously thin. Jess will be using her phone to look at images of dangerously thin and underweight girls, which will also help to portray how damaging social media and the internet can be for those with an eating disorder or a mental illness.

Nutritional Shake

In the second scene of the film, Jess' mum asks her to drink a nutritional shake to prove to her that she is is 'in control' of her eating disorder and isn't going backwards. In the final scene of the film, Jess is shown to be drinking the shake as she cooks her family dinner, representing that she is moving forward and fighting her eating disorder.

Memory Box

In the third scene of the film, Jess is shown in her bedroom looking into a memory box filled with her hopes and aspirations, along with some memories from before she got ill. The box is what drives Jess to recover, it subtly forebodes the things that Jess will do when she is fully recovered from her eating disorder.

Uni Prospectus

Inside the memory box is a uni prospectus/leaflet, which demonstrates Jess' determination to go university after she has recovered. This is one of her primary motivations to get better.

Concert Ticket

Inside the memory box is also a concert ticket from when Jess went to see her favourite band before she got sick. This is a reminder to her of how good life can be if she gets better and recovers from her eating disorder.

Photo's

The third and final item within the memory box is photographs of Jess and her friends. This represents the loneliness that can be caused by a mental illness, the isolation a sufferer can experience from their friends who may not understand their illness. This is another drive for Jess to recover as she wants to be reunited with her friends and be able to enjoy herself with them.

Notepad

During his session with Jess, Dr Ford will be writing notes on a clipboard or a notepad.

Saucepan

In the final scene of the film, Jess is shown to be cooking her family pasta for dinner. This is a critical plot point as it represents Jess' determination to move on from her past, and her determination to do all of the things in her memory box.