Practical Task - Props

Props/Mise-en-scene

Making a journal:
The first prop I made was based on the idea of an old book or journal, I made this by simply scribbling on crumpled paper and then stained it to give an old and worn look. I did this by boiling a kettle and brewing the teabags. Once the tea was slightly cool, I used them to stain the paper and left the pages to dry.

Once the pages were dry, I ripped some of the corners to enhance the old look, and sewed the pages together. To finalize the journal and give it a really unique and worn effect, using matches I slightly burnt the edges of some pages and a small through hole through one of them.

Book:
My second idea came after making the journal, and I decided to burn an old book to give it a deteriorated look. I thought this was a good idea because the burnt look not only makes it look old, but also creates a uneasy feeling of where the book has been before and it's owner, therefore being an effective prop for a horror. I simply did this by using a lighter to singe the edges of the book and blacken the front cover.

Weapons:
The journal and burnt book complimented each other, both working well as ghostly props with an eeriness about them. However I thought that these alone were not substantial and something more was needed to make these effective for a horror.

So I used some old weapons - daggers, knife and a gun, which I think ended up working really well with the other two props. Placing them out together, I managed to create what could possibly be items in a killer's hideout.

What went well?
I think the process burning pages of the journal and book was a really effective idea because it gave the props a mysterious appearance. I also liked the use of  real weapons to company these because they then gave the creepy and disturbing feel.

What would I do to improve?
I think the journal could be improved by adding more pages and giving it a proper front and back cover as this would make it a lot more realistic. Furthermore, I think I could have used the weapons more effectively by adding fake blood onto them which would have emphasised their use and enhanced their unsettling and creepy appearance.