Prop List for 'Remember Me'

Props are an important part of film because they help to tell the story visually and give the audience information without needing dialogue. They are part of the mise-en-scène, meaning everything within the frame that helps create meaning. Props can be used to show character personality, relationships, and lifestyle, as well as hint at the narrative or future events. They also help make the setting feel more realistic and believable, allowing the audience to connect with the film. In many cases, props can create enigma by making the audience question what might happen, or symbolise key themes such as love, conflict, or identity.

In this post I will be making a list of what props i use for my opening sequence:

1. Towels and shower caps:

The pink and blue towels and shower caps hanging side by side clearly suggest a male and female couple living together. The colour coding helps the audience instantly understand gender without needing dialogue. The fact they are placed neatly next to each other also presents the relationship as balanced and equal, reinforcing the idea of a stable, domestic couple, which fits the rom-com genre.

2. Bedside tables:
 

The difference between the two bedside tables helps present the characters’ personalities. The man’s table is very minimal, with just a book and a tablet, suggesting he is calm, simple, and possibly more serious. In contrast, the girl’s table has tissues, lotion, a pink book, and lip balm, making her seem more emotional, expressive, and stereotypically feminine. This contrast creates a typical rom-com dynamic between characters. Showing the bedside tables also suggests a shared space reinforcing that the couple are in a relationship and live together creating a more realistic and domestic feel.

3. Shoes (heels, trainers, slippers):

 

The shoes clearly show differences in personality. The man’s side is messy with lots of trainers, suggesting he is laid-back, disorganised, and casual, while the girl’s side is neat with heels and boots, presenting her as more organised and put-together. Heels suggest femininity and dressing up, while trainers show comfort and normal daily life. The slippers also reinforce this contrast, his are plain and simple, while hers are fluffy and soft, linking to comfort and femininity. This helps create a relatable and slightly stereotypical couple dynamic often seen in rom-coms.

4. Feminine and masculine products:

The sink being split into two sides with clearly different products visually reinforces the idea of two individuals in a relationship. The girl’s pink, detailed products suggest she is more expressive, appearance-focused, and feminine, while the man’s darker, simpler products present him as more basic and low-maintenance. This contrast helps quickly establish character identity and fits common rom-com stereotypes.

5. Coats and scarfs:

The coats and scarves also reflect personality and style. The man’s longer, darker coat and simple scarf suggest he is more practical and reserved, while the girl’s cropped dark red jacket and fluffy pink/grey scarf make her seem more fashionable, bold, and expressive. This helps visually show their differences and reinforces the gender stereotype.

6. Keys/Wallets:

The tray split into two sides again reinforces the idea of a shared life but different personalities. The girl’s side, with colourful accessories like a lip gloss and teddy keychain, presents her as fun, playful, and expressive. In contrast, the man’s plain keys, black wallet, and simple sunglasses make him seem more serious and practical. This contrast is typical in rom-coms, where opposites often attract.

7. Apple Watch:

The Apple Watch is used when the man checks the time, showing that he is organised and aware of the importance of the moment, as they are about to leave. It also presents him as modern and relatable to a younger audience, fitting the target demographic of a rom-com.

8. Ring:

The ring is a key prop as it directly links to the narrative of the proposal. It symbolises love, commitment, and the relationship, making it central to the story. It also creates enigma, as the audience wonders when and how the proposal will happen.

9. Car:

The car is an important prop as it moves the narrative forward and is central to the turning point (the crash). It represents the couple’s journey, both physically and metaphorically, and helps introduce the conflict that drives the story.

In my film, the props are effective because they clearly establish the relationship between the two characters and present their personalities in a visual way. Items such as the colour-coded towels, separate products, and split spaces around the house help to show that a couple lives together, while also highlighting their differences in personality, such as the man being more simple and the girl being more expressive. This fits typical romantic comedy conventions where opposites attract. Props like the ring help to build anticipation and enigma, as the audience understands a proposal is going to happen, while the car helps move the narrative forward and introduces the main conflict. Overall the props make the story more realistic, engaging, and easy for the audience to understand, while also reinforcing the genre and tone of the film.