Props List in ‘The Employer’

By Jodie-Leigh Barnham

Crisp Packet

For the final shot on the title sequence we are using a crisp packet that a character will screw up and throw in a bin, where Kyle will pick it back out to eat what ever is left in it. We initially were going to use a sandwich but we felt that it would be better to use a crisp packet as we would then show the desperation of Kyle's character using this prop. This was because the character that screwed up the crisp packet could show their disregard for the food and by Kyle going back into the bin after them to pick it back out showed how inferior Kyle had become and how desperate.

Box

The box that we are using is a dark green\grey colour and is relatively small. The box being dark and small makes the role that it plays in the film a lot more mysterious and again adds the element of thrill to the film. The fact that the box is small shows that whatever is in this box is only small but still powerful. This shows how weak and vulnerable Kyle actually is as he is controlled by what is in this box.

Necklace

The necklace that we would like to use is going to be a small cross on a chain. We would like to use this in an ironic way as we feel that it could show Kyle's vulnerability and his reliance on religion as he has no one else to turn to. For the necklace to be ripped from Kyle's neck when he is going against the sixth commandment 'Thou shalt not kill' when he beats the client and leaves him for dead, as if his religion and his virtuousness is stripped from him.

LampThe lamp will only be used in the confrontation scene between Kyle and The Client and the lamp will be shining on The Client for the majority of the scene, especially when Kyle seems him for the first time. We are doing so because we are using the light in a metaphorical sense in which we are implying that The Client is a God-like figure to Kyle as his life does actually lie in the hands of The Client. The lamp will also be shown in an establishing shot and will be placed between both characters when The Client will tell Kyle that his life is in his hands. This will be used almost as foreshadowing to show Kyle going 'into the light’.

EnvelopesWe were rather conflicted in considering what type of envelope we were going to use for our film. Initially we decided on the typical industrial white envelope. This was because this type of envelope is used by businesses. As we are trying to imply that the Client has more power and is better off than the character of Kyle, we believed that this would be the most appropriate. After discussion and a look into the initial storyboard of the film and the costumes, we realised that the Client would have to slip the note into the pocket of Kyle. As the act was meant to be subtle and casual and after looking and considering the size of the envelopes and the pocket in which the note is put into, we decided to change the envelope. When looking at the different types of envelopes we found a small brown earthly looking envelope. It would definitely fit in the pocket of Kyle and therefore would make the scene in which the envelope is transferred a lot smoother and easier. We also found that the colour of envelope would relate to the overall juxtaposition between the natural and artificial imagery that we are wanting to portray between the Client and Kyle. The natural imagery in relation to Kyle was showing that he didn't have anything else apart from the bare essentials. The fact that Kyle trusts and relies on the letter given to him when it is completely anonymous shows how desperate he is and how he isn't in power or control of his life anymore, handing the power to the Client.

Bounty PostersThese are the 3 bounty posters we used. We decided that we would use posters in the setting that would be the Employer's office as they would be particularly effective in show how powerful and dangerous the Employer has become. Also, the use of the large red cross through all 3 posters shows that the Employer is ruthless and is insinuated that he has possibly killed these people. To add the element of threat implies an aspect of violence and thrill to the audience which would be particularly effective in the psychological thriller genre. The thrill itself comes from the possibility of danger and violence and the psychological element is derived from the audience having to consider how dangerous this man actually is.

Files, Folders, Computer and MugWe again decided that, again, in the setting of the Employer that we should include props that would make the setting seem a lot more industrial in comparison to Kyle's surroundings. We added these props to make the character of the Employer seem a lot more professional and in a state of higher power. We had plenty of folders so it may allude to the idea of the Employer killing a lot more people than just the 3 alluded to on the bounty posters. The mug was added to make the character seem almost ordinary. The character looks like an everyday person so we felt that we should insert a mug that would make the setting look like a typical office environment. The effect of making the Employer look like an ordinary every day person yet with so much power is thrilling as you could know or have seen a person like this. The thrill comes from the idea that a person that can look so ordinary in a setting that looks like an average office booth of any average businessman can actually be the place in which a murder and the plotting of a murder can take place. This is particularly effective in making this relatable to an audience which therefore makes their initial link with the plot of the film more powerful.To have the Employer come across this way, again, makes him seem dangerous and showing him in a different light to what he was in the flashbacks.