Planning - Set Design Pieces

     Having created my mood boards, I now know what I want the three different sets in my film to look like. To bring this vision to life, I decided to explore the different objects that are located in my two actors' bedrooms that convey the time period as well as the characters' personalities. While searching, I came across numerous items that caught my eye, and I definitely want to integrate them into my film opening. 

Set Pieces: 

    Since my film illustrates the parallel lives of my characters, I wanted to highlight the differences between the characters' bedrooms as well as their daily routines. To do this, I focused on finding pieces that fit my female characters' clean-messy-chaotic aesthetic, while also finding pieces that fit my male characters' minimalistic but hyper-organized aesthetic. The items that I found include:

Overflowing Makeup Bag: 

                                 

                      

    An overflowing makeup bag is the perfect visual cue to establish Sophia's "curated chaos" the moment the film starts. An explosion of makeup brushes, lipsticks, mascara, and stranded hair clips suggests a life that is quick-paced, vibrant, and unapologetically lived-in. This single prop functions as a personal snapshot, contributing to a raw, unfiltered look at her expressive energy before she even steps foot out of her room. By highlighting this specific "mess," I can show the viewers that her character values personal flair and authentic living over rigid order.  

Bedside Table: 

                               

    To emphasize the contrast between the two characters, the opening scene of my film focuses on the different landscapes of their bedside tables as they wake up. Sophia's bedside table has three different layers, all crowded with random items such as flowers, a stray candle, books, ring holder, etc. On the other hand, Asher's bedside table will illustrate his very simple personality and lifestyle, having only his phone and watch placed on it. While this detail only appears briefly, it functions as a powerful visual cue that instantly establishes just how different their worlds truly are. 

A Purse: 

                              

    Although this purse is more of a costume design element than set design, I think it will be a perfect illustration of how Sophia follows the trends of modern-day accessories. By incorporating a trendy it-bag style, I can show that her curated chaos is ingrained in a contemporary, fashion-forward aesthetic. The bag serves as a status symbol that secures her character in the present moment. I plan on having Sophia grab and use this purse when she leaves to go to Target. This decision helps bridge her personal style with the film's overall aesthetic, verifying that even her most disorganized spaces are shaped by a calculated, modern flair. 

A Apple watch: 

    Similar to the purse, this watch is not a part of the set design, however it serves as a critical extension of Asher's disciplined environment. In a world where he clears away every unnecessary distraction, the watch represents his distinct routine and fixation with punctuality. In the film, the watch will be perfectly placed on his bedside table, allowing him to wake up and immediately put it on. It supports the idea that unlike Sophia, who moves with the flow of the moment, Asher consistently wears a watch to manage and measure time. 

Wallet and Keys:

    The use of the wallet and keys being carefully set on a table serves as an important visual cue for Asher's need for sequential order and predictability. By containing these everyday essentials within a particular location, the set design shows that he has a "home" for all of his objects, removing the friction of a panicked morning search. This tiny, deliberate detail emphasizes his disciplined mindset and functions as a sharp contrast to Sophia's more fluid, unscripted lifestyle, showing the viewers that his world is controlled by calculated order instead of impulse. 

Reflection: 

    Now that I have decided what all of the staple pieces for the set are going to be, I am very excited to incorporate them into my theatrical world. Seeing all of these pieces gives me a clear idea of what the setting and overall world of my film is going to look like. Although these set design items are all things that both the actors already had, I will place them in distinct and specific locations around each of their rooms which will help establish the personalities of the characters. The two costume design items will help me bring both characters to life and will help create their individual styles and vibes. All of these items have a meaning and purpose so I hope that my ideas and interpretations will come to life in my film. 

    The next task I want to complete is finalizing the locations for my film. Although I am already 100% set on utilizing my sister's room for the scene of Sophia's bedroom, I need to get permission to film in my sister's boyfriend's room for the scene of Asher's bedroom. It will be important to get his consent because if he says that I cannot film there, I will have to find another males bedroom to use. I am also going to go to the closest Target location to me so that I can make sure there is an aisle specifically for Legos, which will function as the meeting point of my two characters.