Video Prop Essentials
Producing a great video requires an impressive list of considerations. One of the largest tasks at hand is determining how to visually communicate information to the viewer. Selecting the right video prop is a fast and easy way to make an impact on the video message. In particular, a video prop does its job without anyone ever noticing it. We’ve put together a list of some of the most commonly-used and powerful video props that every good video production company uses.
Calendar
Few video props can convey as much meaning in a brief glance as a calendar. A calendar can establish a time of year with only a couple seconds in shot. From there, the viewer will quickly make associations with the time of year shown. For example, a calendar open to December invariably recalls the winter holiday season. On the other hand, a calendar open to August recalls the depths of summer, with hot and muggy weather.
The secondary value of this video prop is that a calendar provides an insight into what a person likes. While a cat lover may own a calendar with kittens on their wall, a racing fan may own a calendar with vintage cars. All of these messages can be conveyed with a simple calendar.
Clock
A clock in frame will establish the time of day for the setting of the video. However, it is important to note that a clock also poses significant risk with respect to continuity in a video. If the clock is left running across several takes, a viewer might notice the incongruity of the shots. As such, any highly professional video production agency will have at least one clock without batteries to keep time.
Personal Items
The items that a character “owns” will reveal an incredible amount of information in just a few seconds. Sports props such as a hockey stick or a basketball are typically associated with activity, youth, and energy. On the other end of the spectrum, a book reveals an impressive array of traits in a character. A book will show that a character values education, and the type of book will share more about their interests and personality.
Art Supplies
At the end of the day, no collection of pre-made video props can ever be complete. With new and original concepts for each and every video, it is impossible to predict which video props you will need. In the case that you find yourself wanting a video prop that isn’t in your collection, a good set of craft supplies can fill in the gaps. With ingenuity, duct tape, and some decent paint work, a coffee can and a paper towel roll can be transformed into Thor’s hammer. Or several cardboard boxes and air filters can be molded into the world’s first time machine. As such, a talented video producer always keeps well-stocked art supplies to suit their video prop needs.
What are some video prop creations you would like to see? What are some video prop creations you have made in the past?
Leave us a comment about your video prop experience to add to the conversation.