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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August 30th, 2010
Putting on a show is not an easy task. In order to succeed you will need to be patient, methodical, and organised. You will need to expect the unexpected and be able to think on your feet. No matter how many times you stage a dress rehearsal, or how many props you source, something will always go wrong. However, if you are up to the challenge, putting on a show can be very rewarding indeed.
Props are used in most stage plays, and are very important in most shows. They can be simple objects such as a basket or a book, or they can be more elaborate items, like a katana sword or a machine gun. As a props person, it will be your job to source all the props needed for the show. Most props people tend to make their own props, or hire them from a company like ours, Keeley Hire, because it is much cheaper than buying everything you will need. Many items can also be difficult to track down.
Sourcing props can sometimes be difficult because, you will need to ensure that they are exactly right for the show. If the show is set in, for example, the 17th century, you will need to find appropriate props which are either from that time period or replicate pieces from that period. If you do not get the right props, your show will be less believable, and much less enjoyable for the audience. Fictional worlds should allow the viewer to become immersed in them, and so the stage must be set properly if the illusion is to be maintained.
Tags: prop scenery, Props, props supplier, set design
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May 31st, 2010
Defining Props
Props are vital to any production, and theatre sets would not be the same without them. Here at Keeley Hire, we stock a vast array of props and set pieces which can be hired at reasonable prices to enhance your production without the hassle of hiring storage space. There are often arguments amongst some artistic directors and set designers as to what constitutes a prop. There seem to be many different opinions on which parts of a set are props and which are not. Most of us would agree that a book or a mobile phone used on the stage is a prop but disagreement occurs when a piece of furniture such as a shelf or a cabinet is referred to as a prop. Some people believe that furnishings are not props, but are in fact design settings.
In reality, it does not matter how we refer to these things. Each item in its own way is a prop. It does not matter whether the item in question can be picked up and used or whether it is a stationary piece of background furniture; it is still a prop which has been placed on stage with a purpose to either further the plot or make it more realistic. It does not matter much whether you would like to refer to them as props or part of the set; the objective remains the same. The props set the desired scene and help the actors and the audience to believe the drama unfolding before them.
Tags: Props, set design, Stage Props, Theatrical Props
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May 17th, 2010
The Importance Of Movie Props
Using props in a movie is absolutely essential if you wish to create an exciting, believable and vibrant setting for your characters. Movie props fulfil a wide range of roles on the screen; whether it be setting the scene for your characters or providing a subtle hint of things to come. Some of the best ever made are great not only because of the story they tell, but also because they are so richly designed. Directors like David Lynch uses subtly placed props or set design to give the viewer a clue about the plot. Each time you watch one of his movies, you will notice something new which helps with your understanding of the film. Alternatively, consider the movies of directors such as Steven Spielberg or George Lucas. Their films would be nothing without the use of good movie props. Can you imagine Star Wars without the light sabres or the spaceships?
When sourcing props for your movie, it is important to do some research. After all, you want your set to look authentic and using a 17th century table in a movie set in the 15th century does not do anything for its authenticity. One of the advantages of buying props nowadays is there are many available to you. At Keeley Hire, we have a great reputation built from years of dealing with the biggest names in the business and you’re now able to view everything we have to offer on our website.
Tags: hiring props, Movie Props, Props, set design
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April 15th, 2010
The theatre is a very visual experience. Audiences take a trip to the theatre to be challenged both mentally and physically, and – of course – to have a good time. Often when staging a play, people tend to focus on the actors and the scripts without taking enough time out to consider the look of the production. Badly designed theatre sets can be extremely detrimental to a stage show and can end up letting the whole production down, whereas a well designed set can vastly improve upon the audience’s experiences and perceptions of the show.
Theatre sets are an integral part of the story you are trying to tell. Think about all the things your actors do during the course of a show. Perhaps they read a newspaper or sit down at the table to have dinner with their family. These scenes would not be possible without well thought-out props and an excellent set design. Theatre sets help to move the story along or illustrate a point the actor is trying to make.
Theatre sets and props become particularly important when a production is set in a specific era or in a very specific location as they can transport both the actors and the audience into a different place and time, thus enabling them to invest more in the story which is being played out in front of them.
When hiring props, you should always use a reputable company such as ours at Keeley Hire, as we are able to source and supply some of the best movie props available in the UK.
Tags: Prop Hire, Props, set design, theatre props, Theatre Sets
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