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December 11th, 2010
A trip to the cinema is pure escapism. You probably get too caught up in the movie to notice all of the background details that go into setting up that shot or scene. Have you ever stopped to wonder just how much time, effort and attention to detail goes into creating the right look for a film, be it a mainstream blockbuster, or a budget art house effort?
Because it’s not all special effects. A lot of the detail is provided by good old fashioned props. That 1960s police car or that authentic top hat. Someone had to source them. Sometimes they are historical originals and sometimes they are copies.
Movie props are most often sourced from specialist providers. Can you imagine what it would like if you have to track down every single item from a hundred different suppliers? Luckily, a lot of the hard work has been done already. It’s just a case of making a call or ordering online and you get your hands on a whole host of movie props, ready to put your new film together.
Once you’ve identified the props you need, you can just hire them for the duration of the shoot. How many different films some of them have turned up in? Old traditions and methods live on as modern workers recreate historical practices to give our films the accuracy and period detail that we’ve come to expect.
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November 23rd, 2010
In the early days of film making, the crews responsible for movie props which had served their purpose would simply store them away in a warehouse until they would be used again. If there was no need for them, they would be thrown away, but all that has changed over the last fifty years or so. There is now a huge global industry which revolves around the sale of movie props and stage props.
This industry has grown out of the demand by collectors who want to get their hands on the lightsabres from Star Wars, or the helmet worn by Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan. These items are expensive to buy, of course, but there are many other less high profile props which are bought and sold by film buffs all over the world. While some of these collectors are in it purely to make money from what they see as an investment in movie props, there is also a section of buyers who just want to own something which has appeared in a major film and been seen by millions of people on the big screen.
The main reason why stage props and movie props are purchased is, of course, to use them in plays and films. It’s unlikely that the pioneers of movie props all those years ago ever thought that they would now be changing hands for vast sums of money when all they wanted to do was enhance a scene.
Tags: film props, Movie Props, prop suppliers, star wars props
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August 27th, 2010
If you have always dreamed of making your own films, you might be considering whether or not you should apply for a place at a film production school. Before applying, the first thing you should do is work out exactly where in the film industry you wish to work. Do you want to be a director, production manager or work with props?
One you have decided which area you would like to go into, you should start researching schools and colleges which offer appropriate courses. Look for a school with a good reputation in your required field.
When you actually get to film school, you will be required to work extremely hard. It is the job of a film crew to create beautiful, interesting films and you will get plenty of experience of this. The majority of film schools will require you to take the brunt of the cost of creating your own films, and this does not come cheap. Things like props, casts and film itself are all expensive. Of course, there are ways to save money – use friends as cast, hire props from us at Keeley Hire, but you are going to need considerable funds whilst attending school.
However, the cost of the course and the added extras is worth it for the skills, experience and opportunities you will gain. You are more likely to be successful in your field if you attend a film school. It is also more likely that you will obtain work in the film industry with some qualifications and experience behind you.
Tags: film props, filmmaking, Prop Hire, prop hire company, Props
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August 23rd, 2010
Special effects and props are both very important in any film or TV production, whether it’s a few simple props, or a full blown CGI explosion, having something visually interesting to look at is vital. Below are some examples of the various effects used in film and TV, in order to give the viewer a much more exciting visual experience.
Special effects are expensive to add to film. They are used to create sequences and images which either do not exist in reality, or those which it would be too dangerous, time consuming or inconvenient to produce solely for a movie. Today, one of the most popular means of creating special effects is to use computer generated images. A recent example of CGI in film is the blockbuster movie, ‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse’. The werewolves in this film have been created using CGI. Another popular form of creating special effects is to use animatronics, as seen in ‘The Thing’ or, stop motion animation such as in the classic ‘Jason and the Argonauts’.
Props are very important in film. They help to set the scene and give the actors something to work around. Props are not usually classified as special effects, unless they do something out of the ordinary. For example, in the short film ‘The Horse Hair Chair’ an ordinary household chair begins to grow hair, before enveloping the owner completely and pulling him into its depths. In this instance, a simple prop becomes a special effect. At Keeley Hire, we offer a huge selection of film, stage and TV props for hire, at affordable prices.
Tags: film props, filmmaking, Prop Hire, Props, science fiction props
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August 8th, 2010
If you are a horror movie junkie, there is nothing more fun than throwing a horror movie party for you and your friends. The great thing about a horror movie party is that it can be as extravagant or as low key as you wish.
If you are looking to throw a low key bash for you and a few friends, all you need to do is rent a few of your favourite horror films and buy some snacks, then settle yourselves down for a fun filled frightfest.
However, if you want to throw a more extravagant party for a special occasion, there are a few more things you will need to do. Below are a few ideas which could make your party perfect:
Send out spooky invitations. A horror movie party is always more fun if the guests wear fancy dress, so, put a request on the invitation.
Hire some horrifying props. No horror movie party would be complete without some seriously spooky props to scare your friends. At Keeley Hire, we have some great horror props, from spooky spiders to chilling coffins, which will definitely give your guests a scare.
Cook themed food. Vampire’s blood punch, marshmallow ghosts and devilish eggs will all go down a treat and will complement your theme perfectly.
Consider hiring a projector. You can then show some of your favourite horror films on a large screen. This will add to the spooky atmosphere and will hopefully give you and your guests a scare or two.
Tags: film props, hiring props, Movie Props, prop hire company
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July 23rd, 2010
Hollywood movie budgets might extend to millions of pounds, but it is possible to make a great movie on a much smaller budget. However, it will require some detailed planning in order to successfully pull it off. When making a movie on a budget, there are some things which you can save money on and some things which you should try not to scrimp on too much. Things which you should invest more money into include a decent camera and a great script. You can then afford to spend less on everything else.
Low budget movies rely on a strong script and a great cast. If you have friends who can act and are willing to help you out for free or for little pay, you should take full advantage of this. If not, you could always look for budding actors and actresses who would be willing to star in your movie to gain experience of working on a film set.
All good movies need props. Film props help to make your movie more visually dynamic and more believable. Getting good props on a budget can be difficult. But by hiring props from Keeley Hire, where we have a large supply, you can lower costs. Also, if you have any artistic friends or know any designers, you can always ask them to make props for you cheaply.
When it comes to the camera and sound equipment, it is always a good idea to use the best you can afford.
Tags: film props, hiring props, Movie Props, Prop Hire, Props
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July 14th, 2010
Making a movie is a challenge. There are many different elements which come into play, so it is vital that you are prepared with a plan before you begin shooting your film. Before you do anything else, you will need a script to work from. When it comes to film making, it is not really viable, in most circumstances, to work without a detailed screenplay. Having a finished script will not only ensure you and your actors know what to do but will also help you work out the likely cost of your production, allowing you to budget for essentials such as props.
Once you have a script, you should be able to work out a budget for your film. The budget should cover everything from props, actor’s wages and post production. Post production covers things such as special effects and editing. You should always aim to stick to your budget strictly, if possible. To save money, hiring props from prop hire specialists from Keeley Hire is a good idea. We can supply movie props at a competitive price. Also, look for friends who have experience with editing or effects and ask them to help you out. Try to keep a contingency fund which can be used in case of emergencies or set backs too, so you do not get caught out with no money left to finish a project.
When you have a budget and a rough idea of a schedule, you will need to audition for a cast. Advertise locally and on actor’s websites for cast members.
Tags: film props, filmmaking, Prop Hire, prop hire company, Props
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July 11th, 2010
These days, it is possible to make a decent movie using digital film equipment. In recent years, the cost of electronic devices such as digital cameras, laptops and even film editing software has fallen to such a level that it is affordable for lots of people. This has, in turn, led to the rise in amateur movies, which are now popping up all over the place on sites such as Youtube and Google Video. Now, anyone who wants to make their very own film can do so.
In order to make a digital movie, at the very least, you will need a competent computer, the best digital video camera you can afford, lighting equipment and some basic movie editing software. All of these electronics can be purchased at reasonable prices at most large electrical retail stores. It would also be desirable to have some decent props as these add an extra, and important, dimension to any film. Props and set designs also help to make your movie seem more realistic to the viewer. At Keeley Hire, we have a range of props available for hire at affordable prices.
Once you have arranged prop hire and equipment, you will need to recruit actors to star in your movie. You could ask, or bribe, your friends to star in your movie, or you could advertise for amateur actors to work for free. Local performing arts students, particularly graduates, are likely to be interested.
Once you have all of these elements in place, you can go ahead and shoot your movie.
Tags: film props, Movie Props, Prop Hire, Props
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July 8th, 2010
In today’s world, first impressions and perfect presentation are seen as being the key to success. This is particularly important when hosting a party or special event. People expect glitz and glamour now, more than ever. When they attend a party or social function, they will be scrutinizing the décor from the moment they arrive until they leave. A badly presented party can cause negative reactions in the guests from the off, whereas a glamorous, well-decorated event room can set the tone and increase enjoyment significantly.
One of the best ways to ensure your event goes off without a hitch and impresses your guests is to use props. Prop hire is becoming more and more common when throwing a party or special event. Items which were once confined to the movies or stage are now being used to decorate party venues across the UK. No matter what theme you have for your party, you can hire props from us, at Keeley Hire, which are sure to impress every one of your guests.
Using props at your venue will make your event stand out from the rest. We are all used to the usual, boring decorations at parties, so, when we turn up to an event to find it decked out with stage props that we would normally only see in one of our favourite films or TV shows, we are immediately impressed and excited. This creates a great buzz for the entire evening, and provides an excellent talking point for all of the attendees.
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June 14th, 2010
One of the props you will most often see used in the movies is the prop gun. When an actor uses a gun in a scene, it can be one of several types of gun which are commonly used on screen. These are: a real gun (which fires blanks), a replica gun (usually rubber), a ‘toy’ gun or, occasionally, an air gun. There are various advantages and disadvantages of each of these gun props, some of which are outlined below.
Using a real gun, which fires blanks, will give an authentic sound and look to the scene, but can be dangerous. One famous incident, in which a real gun proved fatal to an actor, is that of Brandon Lee. Whilst filming the popular comic book movie, The Crow, Lee was fatally wounded when a live bullet accidentally found its way into the gun. For this reason, the use of real guns is not recommended.
Replica guns are great for scenes which do not require the actor to actually fire any shots. A good replica prop gun will look just like the real thing, but will not fire or produce any sound at all. Rubber props guns are usually used when a scene requires many weapons in shot, where the actors will not pretend to fire them.
At Keeley Hire, we have a wide range of replica weapons, as well as a huge choice of other stage and movie props, which are available for hire at competitive prices.
Tags: film props, hiring props, Movie Props, Prop Hire, prop suppliers
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