Props as Talismans

Scott Myers

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Go Into The Story

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1 min read

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Dec 14, 2016

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If movies are primarily a visual medium, then objects are a writer’s asset.

The other day @t8sh1 tweeted this:

Know what? The video is amazing. Check it out!

Props can be nifty objects which provide a nice visual kick. They can ALSO have emotional and psychological meaning to characters. That’s what I call a talisman. So many great examples in movie history. Here are a few:

• The letters of transit in Casablanca.
• Zuzu’s petals in It’s a Wonderful Life.
• Moths in The Silence of the Lambs.
• The bicycle in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
• Red roses in American Beauty.
• Cobb’s spinning top in Inception.
• Baxter’s key in The Apartment.
• Walt’s car in Gran Tourino.
• The grape soda badge in Up.

So when we write, be cognizant of objects and props which pop up into your imagination. They may just take on even greater significance as a talisman.