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October 14th, 2011
The idea of props is relatively simple. In order to fully engage film, TV and stage production audiences, it is important to make sets as realistic as possible and this involves the use of certain objects to help the actors convey their stories.
However, in reality there is a delicate art when it comes to creating and using the perfect movie and stage props. For example, as strange as it may seem, sometimes real items do not look correct when used in the bright lights of a studio or on stage and it is therefore necessary to exaggerate some of their features and play others down.
Creative experts are adept at coming up with new versions that seem more real than the real things.
Meanwhile, certain objects used by actors have to be altered from their true nature for safety reasons. For example, we have all watched scenes in films, soap operas and so on when characters smash glass objects, sometimes over the heads of fellow performers.
Of course, if this glass were real, serious physical harm would be caused.
But, with the magic of stage props, such problems can be overcome. Rather than glass, crystallized sugar is used to make the objects. This looks real but does not cause the same level of harm.
These are just two of the tricks of the trade. There are many more and so getting the perfect props means choosing providers that know their stuff.
Here at Keeley Hire we have decades of experience in the field and can provide a vast array of items that may be perfect for your needs. Our extensive selection includes everything from horror movie props to Star Trek props.
Tags: importance of props, organising props, Stage Props, star trek props
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June 30th, 2011
If you are involved in the creation of a film, you will no doubt be operating under considerable pressure. After all, a great deal of hard work, skill and experience is required in order to make such offerings a success.
One of the issues you have to contend with is getting your hands on the relevant props. Without such items, your production is unlikely to impress and all your efforts may be wasted.
By going around small firms to see whether they have the movie props you are after, you might find the process is long and frustrating. This is particularly likely to be the case if the objects you are after are unusual in some way.
However, there is a way to make your life easier and that is by coming here to us at Keeley Hire. Over many decades we have built up a vast array of props, meaning we have one of the best collections around. So, regardless of what it is you require, we might well have the ideal solutions for you.
By utilising a large and well-stocked supplier like us, you can cut down on the length of time it takes to get the items you need and also on the hassle involved. In many ways, you can see us as your one-stop-shop for movie props.
Of course, your work by no means ends at the sourcing of such offerings. However, by being savvy in your approach to this issue, you can provide yourself with more time to get on with the other important tasks facing you.
Tags: importance of props, Movie Props, prop hire company, Props
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June 20th, 2011
Creating a film can be a difficult process and often it involves a series of fine balancing acts when it comes to finances, meaning certain things have to be sacrificed in order for others to be saved.
However, there are certain elements of cinematic offerings that should not be compromised because of financial limits and one of these is props. Such items are vital as a mechanism for drawing viewers into the fictional world you have created and if they are substandard, they might well fail in this regard, which could have disastrous consequences for your production.
When it comes to movie props, it really does pay off to have a sufficient quantity of high-quality items for your various sets.
The good news is, by coming to firms such as us here at Keeley Hire to get your hands on the provisions, you can rest assured you are benefiting not only from the necessary high standard of object, but also that you are getting great value for money.
Thanks to our vast array of props, you should not struggle to find the perfect ones for your production.
On the other hand, if you fail to get your hands on a sufficient number of excellent movie props, you may be letting your film down, which would be a great shame.
So, if possible you might want to think about making efficiencies in certain other areas, rather than limiting the number of props you hire. To find out more about the range of such items on offer, simply take a look around our website.
Tags: authentic props, importance of props, Movie Props, prop suppliers
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June 14th, 2011
The range of props available these days is immense. This is great news as it means you should be able to find the perfect items for you, whether you are seeking movie props, objects for stage shows, corporate or civic events or anything else.
However, because of the number of options open to you, you might find the process of sourcing such provisions daunting. While the ideal objects may well be out there, you might find yourself engaging in long and frustrating searches for them.
But there is a way to avoid such hassle and that is by coming here to us at Keeley Hire. We have many years of experience in such matters and have a huge storage area in which to keep our offerings. This means that we might well have the props you want.
So, rather than going to a number of smaller providers, you may be able to get all you need from us, making the process far easier and more efficient. Even if we don’t have the necessary movie props or whatever else you are seeking, we might be able to create them for you.
Furthermore, our website has been designed for maximum ease of use, meaning you can look for the items you are after with the minimum of effort. All you need is a spare few moments and an internet connection.
So, don’t fret when it comes to getting your hands on props. Simply come to the experts and source what you need without any fuss.
Tags: hiring props, importance of props, Movie Props, prop suppliers
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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 17th, 2011
Props help to set the scene. It’s not just big budget productions we supply props to; we also spend a great deal of time helping amateur dramatic societies, educational programmes and private clients find the right props for their production. Perhaps one of our most prominent sectors of growth is in the field of short films. By short films we mean things like university projects, information shorts, website videos and so on.
Clients producing short films tend to be less interested in theatre set-sized props, and more in those vital basics that can make all the difference. For example, let’s say you’re shooting a ten-minute zombie movie short for a university project. Sets are no trouble – the woods, your university bedroom, you’ll figure something out! But the props can create a more dynamic story. Think along the lines of simple basics like severed limbs, authentic-looking weapons and so on.
Professional prop hire is a fantastic way to add priceless new dimensions to your short film. If you’re not 100% sure of the best props to invest in, get in touch with our prop-mad experts and have a chat about what we’ve got in stock or might be able to source for you. We take prop hire seriously (as seriously as you can take an industry that promotes the use of giant polystyrene dinosaur claws), so our guys really are experts in the field.
So, what props do you think your short film needs to take it from low-budget blunder to indie hit?
Tags: film props, filmmaking, importance of props, prop scenery, science fiction props
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May 14th, 2011
On every theatre set and for every screen production the world over, there are certain fundamentals in terms of manners and on-set behaviour that help things to run as smoothly as possible (although we’re fairly certainly Stanley Kubrick flouted them all in the name of his brilliant art!) Whatever the size of your production, here are a few basics to consider when mulling over prop hire on-set props-related behaviour!
• Respect the prop guys! If you ARE the prop guys, then we urge you to show this post to all the folks on set who have tendencies to do things like use the prop trishaw (a rickshaw with a bike on the front) to pop out for sandwiches, and other such frustrating behaviours that leave you running about the entire set/location/town/world trying to locate all the props on the inventory.
• Put safety first. Making sure everybody on set is a) aware of the dangers presented by a prop, and b) capable of handling the prop if required, is essential. We tend to advise clients that it’s better to slow production for a moment to explain how to use a prop, rather than for a month thanks to an accident!
• Don’t touch! Props are lots of fun; heck, we have an entire warehouse filled with them! Do you know how hard it is not to don a suit of prop armour at every opportunity? Our prop hire service is successful because we put human safety and prop care first.
Tags: importance of props, organising props, Prop Hire, 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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March 23rd, 2011
Props are often used by movie actors to help give their characters a little something extra. Aside from the costumes they wear, props are the main way to help lend a sense of identity to the character an actor is playing.
The extra sense of realism which movie props bring to a film can help actors get a much better feel for their role. When reading through a script about a heroic Viking warrior, an actor can only get in to their character so much. However, once the same actor gets a Viking broadsword in their hand, they are much further down the road to becoming that character. If a film script calls for a weapon like a sword to be used in anger then props can ensure actors remain safe while helping them to remain in character. Actors playing characters in big-budget films with lots of special affects also rely on the reassuring presence of their character’s key prop to ensure they can deliver a decent performance in the imagination-sapping confines of a green-screen studio.
Well-suited movie props can become central to a character’s personality and even become as identifiable as the character themselves. Classic examples of this are the Magnum revolver used by Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry movies and the bullwhip used by Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones series. The props used in both of these instances have become so synonymous with their respective characters that that they would simply seem incomplete without them.
Tags: importance of props, Movie Props, Prop Hire, Props, props suppliers
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March 20th, 2011
Stage props are often used by theatre actors to enhance their performances and add meaning to a scene.
Types
There are four distinct types of props used in the theatre. A ‘hand prop’ is small and so can be held by an actor. A ‘dress prop’ adds to a character’s costume without being worn. A ‘rehearsal prop’ is used in place of any real prop that is so delicate or valuable it can only be used for actual performances. ‘Set properties’ are functional items used by actors on the set, such as tables and chairs.
Role
Stage props can have many functions within a theatre performance. Aside from being obvious visual aids, they can also help to convey a story’s subtext and give the audience deeper perception of a character and their motives. For example, a man whose wife has died may carry a keepsake of hers with him at all times. Even though the audience are not informed of this sad event, the infatuation of the keepsake can allude to his great loss.
Significance
The inclusion of props in a theatre production can be invaluable. Not only can they make an audience believe more in the performance they are watching, they can also be used to help convey meaning. For example, if no props are used for the first hour of a performance and a box then suddenly appears, the audience can safely assume that the box will be significant to the story in some way later on.
Tags: hiring props, importance of props, prop hire company, Stage Props
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