Year 13 Media students have enjoyed a fun session with The Auckland Project (TAP) to learn about set dressing and the use of appropriate props. The session was an excellent introduction to set design as students prepare for their forthcoming film making unit.

The session was specially designed by TAP representatives as a fun challenge to identify a number of anachronisms in each room around the palace. In a 90-minute session, students learned about the history of the Prince Bishops, Auckland Palace itself and the time period reflected in each of the dressed rooms, whilst looking for the item that was out of place.

The exercise demonstrated the importance of research when choosing props for a set, to ensure that they are era appropriate and communicate a message as intended. As part of the session, students discussed some of the well-known production errors made in hit shows such as Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey, where modern items were accidentally left on set. They also discussed how some shows such as Bridgerton incorporate elements like pop music and modern make-up into the production on purpose, to engage audiences and make products more relatable.