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June 11th, 2011
If you are involved in the production of films, stage shows and other such things, you might well get to work alongside some of the most talented and creative people around. Indeed, careers like yours can be extremely interesting and rewarding.
For instance, there is something captivating about watching top-class actors doing their thing in front of a camera lens or a live audience. Such individuals have the ability to draw in those watching them and make them believe the words they are saying.
However, even the very finest actors struggle to look good if they are given inappropriate or substandard props. Such items can distract the audience and they detract from the performances, which is a great shame.
Often, when fantastic movie props and other such items are used, people watching are not particularly conscious of the objects because they are so life-like. Instead, they can concentrate fully on the words and actions of the characters. But when props are not of the necessary quality or look out of place, it is hard for individuals to avoid having their attention diverted.
So, if you have the privilege of working with great actors, make sure you do not let them down by supplying stage or movie props that do not fit the bill.
To get your hands on fantastic props, you can come here to Keeley Hire. We have been operating in the field for many decades and know exactly what is required by our customers. Also, we stock a vast array of items.
Tags: authentic props, film props, importance of props, prop hire company
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May 8th, 2011
Where would Andrew Lloyd-Webber be without really great theatrical props! The Phantom of the Opera created the Music of the Night, but he’d be hard pushed to pull it together without brilliant period musical prop hire and theatre sets!
We love getting our big, scary, pointy, Halloween prop teeth into new projects (otherwise they might just sit in hygienic storage for the rest of the year, and that seems such a waste!), and our prop theme of the day is…. drum roll….. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS!
We don’t stock the regular stuff like trumpets and pianos, but we do spend a lot of time listening out for the sound of more obscure instruments like tribal drums, gramophones, cow bells and period brass bells. Our musical props can whip theatre sets, movie locations and party events into an atmospheric musical frenzy!
Take the example of drums (because that way we get to play them a little as inspiration for this blog post), we can supply your production with scores of different drum styles, including ethnic themed, leather, military and tribal drums.
When it comes to really great theatrical and movie atmospheres, we reckon it’s the little details that add that priceless final touch. Take a look through our massive online catalogue of props and theatre sets and choose from our awesome props. If you’ve got something in mind we don’t stock, get in touch and we’ll see what we can do to get you fixed up.
Tags: authentic props, Prop Hire, Props, Theatre Sets
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April 27th, 2011
Hosting a medieval fair is a fun way to bring together the community, raise money for a school or event, or exercise your talent for the dramatic. Here are some tips for setting the stage for a successful medieval fair.
First you are going to need a wide, open space, preferably a field or a park rather than a car park or other modern setting. This will make your fair feel more authentic.
Now you will need to hire some tents or stalls for vendors, activities, etc. You can hire circus tents, wedding tents, or anything else that you think will do the job, but that looks like it could belong in a medieval fair.
Now you need to look into prop hire. You should have some tables for people to sit at while eating. Why not use frame wood tables from Keeley Hire? People can share a bench and eat together, for a chance to talk and make new friends.
People you field with authentic looking medieval items like wood barrels, blacksmiths equipment, wood carts, and of course a pillory. You may also want some thrones if you intend to have a king and queen at your medieval fair. You can get all of these and more from Keeley Hire. Prop hire allows you to save time you would otherwise have spent making your own medieval props or trying to track down individual items. Instead, use this time to work on other aspects.
When your backdrop is ready, now all you need are people to run events and stalls, and people to enjoy the fair!
Tags: authentic props, medieval props, Prop Hire, prop hire company, Props
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April 23rd, 2011
Choosing period movie props can be a complex process. And, depending on the budget and profile of your film, you may want to be extremely careful that each piece is historically accurate. Here are some ideas for choosing period movie props.
First, whenever choosing furniture and backdrop or scenery items, make sure that these pieces add to the scene rather than making it look awkward or cluttered. Choose props that make your imaginary world look real, rather than like a stage.
For thousands of authentic looking period pieces, try hiring some props from Keeley Hire. Keeley Hire offers all kinds of different items including furniture, trade equipment, household items, personal belongings, and much more.
Many of Keeley Hires props have been used in high profile fantasy and historical films such as one of the Harry Potter movies, Band of Brothers, Gladiator, A Knight’s Tale, and Saving Private Ryan.
If you’re unsure if items will fit into your movie’s timeline, try looking at old photographs or paintings from that period. Do some research online or at your local library to find out what life was like then. You can also talk to people who remember those times.
Antique shops are great places to find period pieces, and chances are the owners of the shop will know something about the pieces. Ask them what period they are or how old they are, and ask them if they know anything else about the piece.
Only use an item or prop if you know it fits well in that period. You don’t want to be embarrassed later when viewers notice that it’s not historically accurate.
Tags: authentic props, importance of props, Movie Props, prop hire company
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February 8th, 2011
Fire is instantly evocative. Even in modern times when central heating is almost everywhere, there is a kind of romance that can only be conjured up by a roaring wood fire. When it comes to creating an air of mystery, there’s no doubt that candles make better props than battery powered torches ever could.
Using fire with stage props can be very effective. For medieval castle scenes there is nothing quite like a burning brazier or two to set the tone and conjure up exactly the right feel for a dark and gloomy night. They make even a poorly painted backdrop look like ancient stone walls studded with oak and iron.
We have a selection of fiery stage props. There are braziers, candelabra, and both wall-mounted and hand-held flaming torches in the range along with a variety of oil burners and lamps, all of which can be used to lend an authentic feel to medieval and fantasy scenes and add a touch of spectacle to a production. They do particularly well in outdoor performances – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, for example, can be wonderful when staged under the stars.
Fire does always raise safety issues. Plan exactly where the props will be placed and ensure they’ll be easily extinguishable and fully stable at all times. Do consider the regulations before hiring any fire-related props and make sure that all necessary permissions are obtained well in advance. There is nothing worse than having to make fake fire with orange and red tissue paper at the last minute, except perhaps for having the fire alarms go off mid-performance.
Tags: authentic props, Props, Stage Props, Theatrical Props
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January 30th, 2011
Props and theatre sets can make an incredibly important contribution to a piece of art. Of course, it makes sense fo us to say that, but sometimes we like to talk about just how versatile, effective and powerful the right props can be in your production. Here are a few examples of films we believe were made even better thanks to finding the right props.
Stardust (2007)
The fabulous fantasy of Stardust was intrinsically linked to excellent props. Set in a surreal Victorian England, accurately representing familiar aspects the audience would naturally associate with the real version of that period (e.g. weapons, costume, dining tools etc) helped suspension of disbelief no end.
Band of Brothers (2001)
Historical accuracy of prop details in any production is important. When that production is set during the lifetime of a living audience member, the right props are crucial. The wrong weapon or flawed set design could have severely damaged the production’s context and authenticity.
Braveheart (1995)
The depiction of history is rarely more important than when conveying the story of a national hero. Can you imagine Braveheart with the wrong sword? The despicable King Edward eating from a modern plate?
Harry Potter (2001)
To die-hard Harry Potter fans (us included) the faithful representation of Diagon Alley – its shops, carts and buildings – was crucial for a loyal depiction of J.K.Rowling’s creation.
The Wicker Man (1973)
This one’s easy – what would the movie have been without our wicker man?
The right theatre sets, props and costumes can create worlds, set context, allow us to glimpse far-off history and – most importantly – help us visualise fantasy.
Tags: authentic props, film props, Movie Props, Props, props suppliers
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January 8th, 2011
The modern audience is made up some pretty sceptical tough cookies. Visual entertainment such as movies, theatre productions, art photography and TV shows rely heavily upon the audience’s willingness to suspend their disbelief. In the worlds of fiction, audiences are urged to accept proposed realities which would perhaps never arise in the real world. TV/movie props and theatre sets play massive roles in this mutually engaged fantasy.
Continuation within the created world is incredibly important in the industry of fantasy entertainment. Although the semi-conscious decision of the audience to accept specious premises can take you a long way, it’s important to enhance this effect with great acting and believable props.
Screen Fantasy
On screen, you’re up for much tougher scrutiny than on stage. Success is based more innately upon visuals. For example, what would World War 2 representation be without authentic-looking weapons on screen? As powerful as suspension of disbelief can be, it’ll only go so far when movie props and atmosphere are lacklustre and lazily composed.
Theatrical Illusion
Theatre sets can be far more conceptualised than their film counterparts. Theatre audiences are less there for the special effects, and more for the overall atmosphere of a play. Nonetheless, effective props and set design are powerful weapons in the battle for your audience’s attention, imagination and ability to believe.
Screen and theatre audiences can be won and lost based on props and sets. Effective, authentically representational props are the bread and butter of believable production.
Tags: authentic props, hiring props, Stage Props, Theatrical Props
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November 11th, 2010
Stage props are generally pieces of equipment which, because of their nature, are harmless. They are fakes which are used by actors to enhance a scene, but there have been occasions when these fakes have proved dangerous. Twelve years ago, during a performance of I Pagliacci the opera singer David Rendall accidentally stabbed another singer in the stomach with a flick knife. The blade was supposed to be retractable but the mechanism failed and plunged three inches into the abdomen of the hapless actor, who required emergency surgery. The production continued with a replacement baritone and a toy knife.
It seems that when it comes to stage props, actors have to be careful when using knives. In Vienna two years ago, an actor was required to slit his own throat. It was only when he ran the blade across his throat that he discovered the knife he was using was not one of the props, but real and razor sharp. Apparently the audience were impressed by the reality of the blood, which they mistook for one of the stage props. Thankfully the actor survived.
Actors also have to be careful when they are using guns as stage props. Last year, rehearsals for an amateur production of Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ in Florida ended when an actor shot off the ear of another actor. It seems that the director had assumed the gun used was one of the many stage props on the set. So be careful when using stage props in your production.
Tags: authentic props, Props, Stage Props, Theatrical Props
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October 11th, 2010
Props are used to recreate reality and to give productions a genuine sense of authenticity. If used as background detail in a house set, for example, they can give clues to aspects of the character which would not be aparent through dialogue. Props can also work on a more fundamental level, creating an attractive aesthetic that can make a scene seem truer. This makes props useful for photography. Rather than trying to recreate a sense of reality, the photographer may want to use props in a more stylized or symbolic role.
Thematic Shots
A lot of photographs attempt to incorporate a theme. In this sense, props are fundamental and can give a photograph a certain aesthetic. For example, if a photographer wants to recreate a famous portrait as a photograph, then not only will they have to attune the lighting accordingly, but they will also have to ensure that they have the appropriate props. Sourcing these props could be difficult, which is why a professional prop hire company such as Keeley Hire could be so helpful for photographers.
Shot Enhancers
Even when there isn’t a thematic focus, a few props could still enhance an image by creating visual cues. So, if you want to create a glamorous portrait, then you would decorate the set accordingly. Similarly, just as the old masters used to refer to their subject’s personality through the use of props, e.g. a skull might determine a philosopher, a quill a poet, then a photographer might use props to signify their subject’s personality.
Tags: authentic props, Prop Hire, prop suppliers, Props, Stage Props
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September 14th, 2010
When staging any production for film, TV or theatre, it is essential to avoid anachronisms, unless they are an intentional part of the plot or story. For example, if you were filming a Victorian period drama and a character walked past a post box from the 1950s, this anachronism would make the audience question the authenticity of the piece, the whole concept of suspension of disbelief would be shattered, the entire dramatic contract between author, actor and audience would be broken and the tone of the piece immediately becomes comical or farcical.
By choosing Keeley Hire for all of your movie props and theatre sets, embarrassing scenarios such as this can easily be avoided. We can advise you of the most authentic props which are contemporary to the setting of your production and our expertise enables us to perfect your production down to the last minute detail. The next time that you notice a Ferrari whooshing past a horse and cart during a medieval drama, or a World War Two era tank trundling into action over the battlegrounds of World War One, you can rest assured that the production companies were not wise enough to seek advice from Keeley Hire.
Subtle details often set the best theatre sets apart from poorly planned productions and at Keeley Hire, we take pride in ensuring that all of your theatre props and movie props are authentic and original. We want to you to rest assured that the audience is only bamboozled, surprised and confused at the appropriate moments, not throughout the entire production. We do not want your serious thriller to become slapstick, surrealist comedy because of a lack of foresight, so please ensure that you always put your trust in our prop specialists.
Tags: authentic props, Movie Props, theatre props, Theatre Sets, TV props
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