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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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March 17th, 2011
Stage props are items used by theatre actors to help convey drama and elaborate narrative in a particular scene. Props used in feature films serve much the same purpose, although frequently on a grander scale. Although often overlooked, these essential visual aids are an important element of feature films for several reasons.
Plot development
When used adeptly, movie props can be used to help a story unfold and develop. They can also be used in a narrative as metaphors or visual symbols in order to elaborate on the film’s overall theme or underlying message. Good examples of this kind of plot development can be seen in films like Forrest Gump, when Tom Hanks uses a box of chocolates to help illustrate his character’s thoughts on life, and in Ghostbusters, when Harold Ramis uses a Twinkie Bar to describe spooky goings-on in New York.
Authenticity
Movie props can be a great way to make an audience believe more in the time or location in which a film is set. Whether by using a guillotine in Revolutionary France or tommy-guns in prohibition America, the setting of a film can be brought to life far more effectively. Science fiction films which are set in the future often use shiny gadget-type props in order to illustrate the advanced technology of the time.
Sword-and-sorcery films also do much the same thing, bringing their fantasy worlds more vividly to life with familiar favourites such as magic wands and enchanted amulets.
Tags: importance of props, Movie Props, organising props, Prop Hire, Props
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February 28th, 2011
There is no reason not to be a perfectionist when it comes to stage props and theatre sets. If you let your guard down over just one or two items there’s bound to be someone in the audience who notices, and once they notice one thing that’s not perfect they’ll notice others. Unfortunately not everyone is content to sit back and watch the magic of the theatre unfold- there are always critics, and critics will be picky.
It is possible to make sure that every one of your stage props is perfect. We keep more than half a million items- almost any item you can think of will be represented in our range somewhere, and usually we’ve got at least two or three different kinds so you can choose the one that suits your play best. You can either browse the most popular items in the range through the web or make an appointment to come into our massive warehouse and pick up everything you need.
In the unlikely event that we haven’t got what you want (and if we haven’t got it, the chance that someone else does is limited), don’t despair. Our specialists can make props for movies and theatre sets to order, so it is possible to get the exact prop for the job. It is, of course, cheaper to hire something we already have but if you are really stuck we’ll do all we can to help, even if that means making custom props just for your play or movie.
Tags: importance of props, prop hire company, Props, Stage Props, Theatre Sets
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February 14th, 2011
The works of the great Charles Dickens are frequently adapted for film and television and even more frequently adapted for the stage. The musical based on Oliver Twist is one of the most popular of all time and A Christmas Carol is retold on television at least once every Christmas. Scrooge and Tiny Tim are icons, instantly recognisable even to those who have never read a word of Dickens.
His ability to conjure up images of a particular time and place was coupled with an outstanding talent for creating characters that are at once larger than life and perfectly believable. Once you have seen their play or read their book it is impossible to forget Miss Havisham, Little Nell, or Fagin. His works are inextricably entwined with our ideas about London in the 19th Century and when we think of the customs and manners of this period, it is Dickens who paints the most vivid picture for us.
Recreating Victorian London is simple – because Dickens is so popular we keep a huge range of stage props that are intended just for that purpose. It’s not just about the time period either. Many of Dickens’ stories are set against a backdrop of poverty and deprivation. The props must help build that theme and let the audience know both what time period they are looking at and the social circumstances the characters find themselves in.
If you are staging a Dickens play and need props, you’ve come to the right place. We have the perfect stage props to make any production of Little Dorrit, Oliver, Great Expectations, or A Christmas Carol look perfectly Dickensian.
Tags: importance of props, Prop Hire, Props, Stage Props
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January 23rd, 2011
It’s not just movie props and theatre sets we can sort out. Some of our clients are in the business of drama education. Of course, every performing company is different, but here’s a little information we’ve garnered over the years based around the fabulous services and benefits of educational theatre.
Theatre education generally takes the form of performance troupes visiting schools and community facilities with the aim of imaginatively informing and nurturing students through performance and interactive plays.
Delivering a Message
In general, education tends to end up being a lot of time spent sat at a desk wishing you were ANYWHERE else in the world. The idea of drama education is to inventively convey messages that perhaps sound trite or ineffective when delivered in a regular teaching fashion.
Chatting with our clients, it seems that theatrical education is largely about creating empathy, promoting tolerance and compassion. Props can play a pivotal role, adding an invaluable element of realism.
Developing Creativity
Imagination is a precious thing. Learning to make creative choices, develop new ideas and interpret concepts resourcefully could lead to a career that sees those same kids hiring our props and theatre sets for their own productions one day.
Opening a Door
Drama education is generally noted for developing empathy, creativity, confidence, communication skills, social awareness and a whole lovely bunch of worthwhile qualities in our kids. Opening the door to a wonderful world of boundless creation, immeasurable enjoyment and lifetime passion.
Tags: importance of props, prop suppliers, theatre, Theatrical Props
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January 11th, 2011
Without wanting to get bogged down in university film studies essays, we’ve done a little digging to help us outline a few dos and don’ts when it comes to horror props and production value. Basically, there’s no point investing a huge portion of your budget in authentic Dr Frankenstein-esque movie props when your audiences suspension of disbelief needs to be steered towards accepting a naturally occurring horror (think serial killers, the Saw movies etc).
Natural Terrors (it COULD happen to YOU!)
Realism is incredibly important in this case. You want your audience to be quaking in their seat that a rabies-addled Labrador or maniac serial killer could come careering through their patio window AT ANY MOMENT. Realistic props and effects are crucial.
Scientific Panic (genetic engineering gone bad!)
Plausibility is essential. Your regular Hammer Horror maniacal laugher and fluorescent bubbling lab equipment likely does nothing for the credibility of your production. The easiest example is perhaps the genetic engineering in the Jurassic Park trilogy. Deep down we know it’s not REALLY possible (at least, not for a good few decades) but the premise of the plot was real enough to terrify audiences and have folks the world over secretly wondering “What if….”
Supernatural Shock (monsters in the closet….)
Movie props and effects have come on a lot in the last twenty years. The age of CGI has made the authentic representation of props and sets into a complex and vital industry. Imagine if E.T came out now – we’d all expect MORE in terms of visuals. Supernatural horror is perhaps the least forgiving of the three sub-genres. Audiences are harder to fool these days, making your choice of props imperative to success.
Tags: filmmaking, importance of props, Movie Props, Props, set design
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June 5th, 2010
If you have written a stage play and would like to turn it into a production, there are many things to consider. Staging a play can be difficult, costly and time consuming. However, it can also be fun and exciting, allowing you to showcase your talents. Below is a list of steps to help you put on the perfect play.
1. Work out your budget and stick to it. At the very least, you will need to buy stage props and costumes. There are ways to minimize your costs. At Keeley Hire, we have a huge range of props for hire at reasonable prices, and you could lower costs further by making costumes yourself. There are always ways to save money, and it is important you find out what they are.
2. Make use of friends and family. If you have friends and family members who have special talents – whether it be acting, sewing or painting – get them involved.
3. Book a venue. Finding a venue to stage your play is one of the biggest obstacles you will encounter. Booking venues can be expensive, and you will never know beforehand if you will manage to sell enough tickets to cover the price. Try to be creative. Find interesting places to hold your play, which are less costly.
4. Casting. Finding the perfect cast, who will not only perform well but also look convinving alongside your props, is very important. Put up advertisements in your local community. You can hold auditions in a local church hall or community club at little cost.
Tags: hiring props, importance of props, Prop Hire, Props, theatre props
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June 2nd, 2010
If you are a professional photographer, it is essential that you use props in your work. Photo shoots would be boring and uninspiring if you did not. Every photographer knows that they must use a backdrop and good lighting, as well as a great subject to photograph, but all these things on their own do not make an amazing picture. Using props to enhance your photographs helps you to create unique photographs, which will set you apart from the competition.
Props can be used in a variety of ways when taking a picture. For example, you could hire stage props from us at Keeley Hire, and use them to create a whole new world for your subject to inhabit. You could create an atmospheric, Gothic picture simply by adding a few stage props, such as coffins and skulls. You could even change the way people see your subject, simply by giving them a specific prop to hold. Give them a sword and they will instantly appear more heroic, or a hairbrush and they will appear vain. Using props can make your job much easier, and can give you the look you need with minimum effort.
Of course, the quality of the pictures will depend on the quality of the props, just as much as your ability to shoot the scene skilfully. It is important that you source just the right props for your needs. They should be good quality pieces which fit the context of your pictures, and enhance the scene, without detracting from the subject.
Tags: hiring props, importance of props, props supplier, Stage Props
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April 22nd, 2010
Making a film without any movie props would be an almost impossible task which, if you managed it, would almost inevitably leave you with a boring and uninspiring piece of film at the end of the process. The fact is, movie props are as vital to a film as actors, actresses and directors are. They create the mood and set the scene perfectly. A film with no props would make any performance extremely uninspiring.
A film without any props would be subject to serious limitations. It would be impossible for many scenes to take place. For instance, without a telephone prop, no actor could call another on screen; or without a weapon, there could be no fight scene. This would leave you with films with little more than dialogue, leave only a dull and boring performance. However, cinema is a visual medium and any audience who turned up to see a film expects to see rich images, lots of action and a great story.
If you lose any of these things, your film will most likely be unsuccessful. It would not matter how good your script was nor how great your actors and direction were if you did not have good props and great theatre sets to fall back on. With the increasing number of props available for hire here at Keeley Hire, there really is no reason why your movie should not be furnished with all of the props you desire to make your production great.
Tags: importance of props, Movie Props, Prop Hire, Theatre Sets
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