#75 Production: Props That Built Our Trailer

    Hey everyone! Today I’m talking about how the props played a huge role in shaping the look and feel of our trailer. Compared to my AS project, where we barely used any props at all, this time I really wanted them to be a big part of the storytelling. They helped make everything feel more intentional and gave the film a stronger sense of identity.

    The masks were definitely the standout prop. Ethan ordered a pack online, and even though they’re just plain white, they ended up being one of the most important visual elements in the whole project. The blank, clean look of the mask completely clashes with who the villain actually is, which makes it even creepier. It almost feels like he’s hiding behind this fake sense of innocence. The mask shows up throughout the trailer, sometimes on a character, sometimes just placed in the frame, and it becomes the symbol of the entire story. We even used multiple masks for the final twist, which made the reveal of the second Hollow Man way more dramatic.

The mask

    The caution tape ended up being one of the props that really helped sell the detective vibe. Ethan brought it in, and we used it to mark off the upstairs door, so it felt like part of an active case. Since Madison and I play detectives, it made sense to include something you’d actually expect to see in a real investigation. The only problem was that we didn’t have the right tape to hang it, just this bright blue tape that would’ve ruined the look. So, we folded it over until the color disappeared and used it to stick the caution tape in place. It actually turned out looking super clean on camera and added that “something serious happened here” energy we needed.

The caution tape

    For the next prop it was this crime game I believe from target or amazon that Madison had bought since her and I are detectives and the files tie into out rolls soooo good. I remember talking in class with Madison and we both came to a conclusion to get this game for the trailers because it would make it all look so bomb. Madison had a great idea to find this picture of a house burning down to tie it all up and we ended up looking for pictures together and finding one that looks close enough to her house and I was like this is perfect!!!

Evidence files

    The hammer was another piece we added in, and it came straight from Madison’s garage. Instead of treating it like some big dramatic weapon, we used it in a quick moment where Ethan comes up behind me and lifts it as if he’s about to strike. It’s all staged, but the visual of the hammer instantly raises the tension. It shows how easily the villain could overpower my character, especially since I’m one of the detectives in the story. Even though it’s a simple prop, it adds a sharp edge to the scene and makes the threat feel a lot more real.

The hammer:

    The last prop was the crime board and this one was my idea. I remember sitting in class and telling my group, “We NEED a crime board.” We found one on Amazon, and even though it was actually a tapestry, it looked exactly like a real board with strings, photos, and notes. It was super easy to hang up, and it honestly completed the detective aesthetic perfectly. It felt like the missing puzzle piece we didn’t know we needed. 

Crime board:

    All the props we used ended up giving the trailer so much more life. They added realism, personality, and clues about the story and characters. I love love love everything we used to the max because I feel a thousand times more confident than my AS level project, because my whole team truly helped out, and we all equally did work together, and it feels amazing to have such a great team :)