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July 30th, 2010
We have been telling stories for thousands of years. The simple story was the chief source of entertainment for a long time, that is, until some great person came up with the idea of staging a play. The play simply improved upon the art of storytelling by making it a much more visual and exciting experience. No longer did you have to imagine how the beautiful heroine would look or wonder how the hero looked as he saved the day, you could see it all. Of course, when the play was first invented, it was in a much more primitive state than the huge productions we see in the West End today, where props and expensive theatre sets are the order of the day. Back then, there would have been few props, and actors would supply their own garments for their parts. Back then, there was still a lot of imagination involved.
Today, however, theatre is an amazing spectacle. Theatre sets are so detailed that you could almost believe you had been transported to another time and place and the actors wear expensive costumes which have been painstakingly created for the role. The actors now use authentic props which look realistic, no matter what time period they are representing. We at Keeley Hire have props ranging from the futuristic to the primitive, available for hire. No expense is spared in creating a new world for the audience to relish and revel in, before coming back down to reality. But, at the heart of this entire spectacle, is still the simple story.
Tags: Prop Hire, Props, Stage Props, Theatre Sets
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July 27th, 2010
Both props and costumes play a very important role in any film. A good costume will look great in the print and will give the audience an enjoyable viewing experience. It will also tell them something about the character, and will contribute to the opinion of the character before they know too much about them. Film makers use this trick to good effect all the time. Often, they do not have the time to fully establish every aspect of the character, and so they give the viewer information about the person. The clothes they wear add to their personality, and round them off much more quickly than could be done otherwise. Think about movies you have seen where the bad guy wears black leather; we know he is bad from the second he arrives on screen, or the typical ‘damsel in distress’ who appears in a flowing white gown, immediately telling us she is pure.
Props work in much the same way. They give us a little extra insight into the person using them. A good example of this would be that of the character Dale Cooper in the 90’s TV show Twin Peaks. His main prop was a tape recorder, on which he would regularly record his thoughts. Not only did this serve as a way of getting into his head and hearing what he was thinking, but it also showed us a little of his methodical personality.
At Keeley Hire, we have a huge supply of props for use in the TV and film industry, which can be hired at reasonable prices.
Tags: Movie Props, Prop Hire, Props, Stage Props
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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 20th, 2010
Stage properties, or props for short, are very important in both film and theatre. They can also be used with great effect in the photography world. Any object which can be moved around the set and used by an actor in the course of a show, are considered to be props. Many things are used as props including books, pipes, guns and even teddy bears.
All props used in a production must be carefully sourced by a prop manager, who will spend much time looking for just the right piece for their production. Props can be bought, hired or made by hand but, in these difficult financial times, it is more common for most major props to be hired from a prop hire company such as us at Keeley Hire. Hiring props helps to keep the costs of the company down, which is vital, today more than ever, if they wish to make a decent profit. It also means that you can get good, authentic props much cheaper than you could if you had to buy them outright.
Props are so important in any production because they add to the richness and believability of any show. In real life, we use objects all the time, so, it would seem a bit odd if we saw a stage show or watched a film where no props were present and, of course, props are sometimes vital to a story. For example, you could not stage a production like Romeo and Juliet without the swords used in the many fight scenes.
Tags: hiring props, Prop Hire, prop hire company, Props
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July 17th, 2010
When putting on a show in the theatre, there are many things to be considered if you wish it to be successful. Of course, you will need great actors and a strong script, but you will also need a convincing theatre set, great props and excellent costumes.
Theatre sets are very important, because they set the scene and paint a picture of the world that the characters inhabit. There are many different variations of theatre sets, some simpler than others, which are used to create a whole new world for theatre goers. They can be futuristic or dark and gothic, but without them, the stage would lack atmosphere and the play’s impact would be lessened as a result.
Similarly, props and costumes are very important aspects of any stage play. The clothes people wear show us a lot about them. The outfits worn on stage can tell us so much; they tell us if a character is rich or poor, conservative or outgoing, and they can also give us a good idea of the time period in which a piece is set.
Props can enrich a character and help the actors to play their roles convincingly. They can show us little quirks a character may have, further the plot, and are often central to the proceedings on stage.
At Keeley Hire, we offer an exciting range of props and theatre sets for hire. Our stock will help to enrich and maximise the audience’s immersion in your production, helping you on your way to success.
Tags: Prop Hire, prop hire company, Props, Theatre Sets
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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 5th, 2010
Modern life can be hectic and stressful. If the daily strain is getting to you, it can be fun to sit back, relax and spend some time in the past, when gadgets and gizmos didn’t rule our life. Historical movies and period dramas are great for watching on a lazy Sunday afternoon. They have the ability to transport us to another period in time, when life was simpler and the pace of life was much slower.
Period movies, by definition, are set somewhere in the past. Most period films are set in one specific time period, which they aim to encapsulate perfectly during the 90 minutes of screen time. When making period movies, it is important to ensure that the audience can suspend their belief for the entire runtime, and feel as though they are actually living in the time period they can see on screen.
In order to achieve this successfully, authentic props must be used. Whether you are filming a sepia-hued western or an extravagant Bronte novel, you must have the correct props and costumes on show at all times. Vintage shops, antique stores and prop hire stores, like ours at Keeley Hire, are great places to seek out period pieces which will give your period film a touch of ambition and authenticity, and be believable in the modern world. Bad, ill-fitting props can ruin the illusion generated by a period film, as chronological inaccuracies can be very distracting for the viewer, leaving them unable to truly believe in the film they are watching.
Tags: authentic props, Movie Props, Prop Hire, Props
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July 2nd, 2010
There are few places more glamorous and exciting than Hollywood. Most of us grow up fascinated with American movies and the many celebrities who grace the silver screen. The glamour and intrigue of Hollywood is so exciting and has touched most of our lives at some point. For this reason, a Hollywood themed party is one of the best ways to make a big impact for your special occasion.
There are many different themes you could cover when throwing a Hollywood party. For example, you could base your party on one particular movie or base it around your favourite actor; you could even throw an academy awards ceremony type bash. Once you have decided on a theme, you can start assembling props.
Props are probably the most important thing when throwing a Hollywood party. They will help you to transform the party area into the perfect Hollywood setting to wow your friends and family. At Keeley Hire, we have a vast range of props for hire which will help you recreate the glitz and glamour of Hollywood perfectly, without breaking out of your budget. Props you could use include replica awards, cardboard cut outs, signs and extravagant furniture.
Once you have the theme and prop design sorted, you should think about sending invitations. Buy some thick card or paper, and handwrite all your invites in the neatest style you can manage, perhaps in gold or silver ink.
Finally, you will need a killer outfit for the night. Depending on your theme, you will either need black tie and evening gowns, or film character costumes. These can be hired for a modest sum if money is tight. All that’s left to do is party.
Tags: Movie Props, Prop Hire, prop hire company, Props
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June 30th, 2010
It is the job of a prop master to take responsibility for all of the props used on stage or set. Props are any item used on stage which is moveable. Actors use props for a variety of reasons whilst on stage. They can be used to further the plot. For instance, a mobile phone used for an important phone call in a play, or a newspaper which reveals some new and important information to the actor, are both good examples of the ways in which props can be used. If the script requires props to be used, it is up to the prop master to source them and ensure they are ready and waiting to be used.
The prop master will source props from many different places. Props can be hired from a company, such as here at Keeley Hire, they can be bought outright, or, they can be made by the production design team. The prop master will usually work very closely with the production designer, to ensure that they have the same vision for how the set will look. Creating the right atmosphere is a very important part of staging any play, or producing any film. It can be the difference between an average production and a great one; this is why the job of prop master is an important one.
If you are interested in becoming a prop master, it is wise to study art or work in an art and design based industry. This will give you a good background knowledge, which will help you succeed in the field.
Tags: organising props, Prop Hire, prop hire company, Props, props supplier
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