This project required creating numerous props for a vampire movie set in 1871, and involved historically accurate research in order to immerse the audience into the scene.
An aged map; a locket containing a picture of a deceased loved one and an invitation to the party of adventurers were the props created for this project.
Locket Design
The locket design was based on this one from the British Museum that was made around the right time period. The construction process involved attaching and painting wooden beads, plastic pearls and resin flowers in a way so as to appear worn but carefully looked after.
Adventurer’s map
The process for the adventurer’s map involved experimenting with aging paper, using methods mentioned in Annie Atkin’s book [. ]. My favourite method involved scrunching up plain printer paper, painting it with balsamic vinegar and then baking it for 10 minutes produced old, ancient looking parchment.
A period accurate map of Romania was found and landmarks such as mountains, and large cities were traced in photoshop, and a symbols based on alchemical signs were used to provide a rough shorthand for its users. The map was then printed to fit the dimensions of some scrap leather I had. After it was aged, it was glued to the leather and the project was done!
Invitation to join adventuring party
This invitation was designed to be one of the character’s possessions and seen only in the background. It is a letter written to one of the characters inviting them to the tavern on the night that the described scene is taking place and explains the alchemical symbols on the map. After the initial letter was written in Illustrator, care was made to alter attributes of the text so that it appeared more like it was written by a human. A drop shadow behind the text added depth.
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