GUEST EDITORIAL: Fascinating Facts Behind Movie Props

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Fascinating Facts Behind Movie Props

by Kevin Gardner

Movie properties, more commonly referred to as props, are any object that an actor handles or interacts with on screen. Props are crucially important as they add to the realism of the scene and sometimes have major significance to the plot. However, in many cases, audiences do not pay any attention to the props. This is one sign that the prop masters behind the scenes are doing their job right. A prop should not draw undue attention to itself, distract from the scene, or break the illusion.

Movie props include fanciful objects like magic wands and mundanities like beer bottles. A great deal of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure the props are there when needed and function appropriately in the scene.

Props Are Sometimes Built Specifically for the Production

Sometimes when the item is very unique or many of them are needed, props are built specifically for the production. When a high degree of authenticity is required, this means creating them using old techniques. For example, a movie set in the Middle Ages may have props created using authentic investment casting techniques or swords forged by real blacksmiths.

However, sometimes the budget doesn't allow for buying or making authentic props. If that's the case, prop masters become gadgets in the same vein as MacGyver to build a prop out of common building materials and found objects. It doesn't actually have to be true to life; it just has to look believable on camera.

Sometimes Props Have To Be Purchased

Not all props are built from scratch. Sometimes they are borrowed or rented, which can be a good way to save money. However, sometimes it is necessary to buy film props for sale. Since many props are ordinary materials, it is possible to purchase them from online sources, such as eBay or Amazon. This can be frustrating when the item is not in stock or there is a bidding war in an online auction. However, purchasing props isn't necessarily glamorous. In fact, prop masters often find what they need by searching in dollar stores or second-hand shops. This can be a great way to save money and to purchase props that are slightly distressed, which may be necessary for the scene. It is also a way to obtain raw materials to be built into a new prop.

Brand Names Can't Show

There is a downside to using found objects as props. In many cases, such materials bear branding, such as logos or company names. The owners of those trademarks have to give a license before you can show them on camera, and that can be expensive. Without the license, it is necessary to remove or cover up the branding. For example, if there is a scene in the movie in which the characters drink beer from bottles, and there is no licensing agreement with the trademark owner, it is necessary for prop crews to remove all the original labels and replace them with something more generic to avoid infringing anyone's intellectual property.

More Than One Prop Is Needed

To continue with the beer-drinking example, what happens if the bottle gets lost or broken on set? If there was only one bottle, production would have to stop until a new bottle was found and its branding removed. Because props are so important and accidents can happen all the time, it is common to have at least three extras of any prop on set. This is also necessary if a prop gets destroyed during the course of the scene because it is usually necessary to do multiple takes. For example, if the scene calls for burning a letter, there need to be multiple letters available to burn so they are ready to be replaced for each take.

This only begins to cover the wide duties performed by prop people on a movie set. If food is eaten in a scene, they may have to prepare it, and they also have responsibilities over live animals used in the production.