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January 10th, 2012
Are you looking for a fun theme for a birthday party? How about a medieval party? No matter the age of the birthday girl or boy, guests will enjoy dressing as knights and ladies or kings and queens.
For more than forty years, Keeley Hire has been providing prop hire for films, television, theatre, and themed events throughout the UK. We have one of the widest ranges of realistic props available for public hire. We have made a selection of our finest middle ages props for you so that you can easily find what you want. Why not start with one of our long tussle tables for the birthday feast? Decorate the table with some of our branched candelabras, and don’t forget a throne for the birthday boy or girl.
We even have dishes you can use on the feast table including pewter plates, jugs, flagons, and goblets. Hang a background tapestry behind the table, and add some of our coffers or chests to the room for added detail. Use our wooden dresser with arched decorations to place your food dishes on, or the birthday gifts. And how about standing a suit of medieval armour by the door for when guests arrive?
To view these props and more, visit the main web page and click on the Themes tab. Then select the Medieval link. For assistance, or if you just want some help choosing what you want, feel free to get in touch. We’re happy to help you with your party ideas.
Tags: medieval props, Prop Hire, themed party ideas, themed props
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November 2nd, 2011
With the festive season coming soon, throwing a good themed party is on many people’s minds. Going for a traditional Christmas party is fun, but maybe you want to try something different. Well, we are here to help, as every party needs good props. We can also help you with the ideas, not just the prop hire.
Bring the sunshine home with a Caribbean themed party. You could use props such as palm trees, maybe even implementing some sand and a blue sky backdrop for that sunny beach look! Perhaps play some good old Bob Marley in the background, and maybe throw a few coconuts around! If you have invited some friends around, make sure to get some good Malibu rum cocktail recipes. You could even serve the cocktails in coconut shells for an authentic natural feel.
If this is not your style, why not try a wine and/or beer tasting theme. You could either take it seriously or just for laughs. Nonetheless, you could be seen to dress up in posh frocks, and indulge in some fine dark reds, discover the undertones of a rustic berry flavoured red, or just pretend to! Feature some good props like beer kegs or even have some prop hire regarding old-world style cabinets and chairs. All of these could get you in the mood. However, remember to serve with some good bread, and even cheese and crackers if you fancy. Who knows what you could achieve with such good props? You can try anything you desire – why not try a space-themed party, or take your inspiration from classic horror-movies?
Tags: pirate props, Props, themed parties, themed party ideas, themed props
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September 24th, 2011
Mention the word “props” and you may instantly think of those used in film or TV productions. You may also think of those seen on stage. However, props have many more uses than you may initially imagine. They can make a fantastic addition to parties or special events, no matter what the theme or occasion. You no longer have to have your name in lights to get the benefits, and if you invest in event prop hire you could soon see just how true this is.
If you have a party on the horizon, you may want to set the scene perfectly. If you have a particular theme in mind, then props could be the ideal solution. Halloween parties, for example, could benefit from cauldrons, coffins or gothic candelabras for added impact. Meanwhile, a Hollywood-themed party might need the addition of a red carpet or golden statue. The right items can be used to great effect, often being central to creating an atmosphere which would otherwise be difficult to achieve.
So, don’t think that props are reserved for stage or screen only– arranging event prop hire could be just what you need to make an occasion truly memorable. You’ll be throwing the event of the year and people won’t be able to stop talking about it, because when it comes to parties half the battle is creating the right ambiance. With a few carefully chosen additions you’ll have the perfect setting, so take a look around and you’ll soon find just what you’re looking for to set your party alight.
Tags: Prop Hire, Props, themed parties, themed props
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May 27th, 2011
If there’s something we get a kick out of down here in the bowels of Keeley Hire HQ, it’s a really bizarre prop request. We try to keep our entire online catalogue as up to date as we can, but if you’re after a bunch of weird movie props or unusual additions to theatre sets, we’d love to hear from you!
We’ve had some pretty weird and wonderful requests in the past (giant polystyrene teacup anyone?) so the odds are good we may already have what you’re looking for in stock (“These ARE the droids you are looking for!” – sorry, can’t help but get a Star Wars joke in every now and then!) We even keep a happy (and very quiet!) menagerie of taxidermy animals on hand for those productions that simply MUST have an angry fox head in them (not body, just head).
Screen productions and theatre sets often require bespoke or custom props. Our team thoroughly enjoys their job of sourcing every stage and movie prop imaginable to add to our immense catalogue of products (remember the Wicker Man? He was ours!) Our current catalogue stands at almost 3500 products, so you can imagine how much fun our 50,000 square foot warehouse is! Only kidding, we don’t play with the props … much!
If you want to chat to one of our warehouse experts or customer service reps, get in touch today and we’ll do our best to fill your obscure props brief!
Tags: film props, Props, props suppliers, science fiction props, themed props
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May 11th, 2011
Although many of our clients are theatre types and movie maniacs, we also spend a lot of time dealing with non-industry related folks who are just looking for props to add a little extra magic to various events and celebrations.
Civic Events
Local council events like parades, fairs, street gatherings etc. offer some brilliant opportunities for really great props and set ideas. If you’re not quite sure what’s best for your civic event, do a little research online or get in touch with us for some more personal advice.
Education
Learning through really fun things like role plays and theatrical productions is one of our favourite educational tools (we might be a little biased though!). Keeley prop hire can help create an authentic atmosphere conducive to maximum learning AND maximum fun!
Props can also be used very effectively to illustrate non-animated scenes, depict historical events, demonstrate principles and help students to understand particular events.
Private Parties and Events
Our themed props are particularly popular with party enthusiasts looking to add a little extra life to their parties! Our website is very easy to use, and we’ve gone quite far in trying to make everything as user-friendly as we can to layman prop clients.
Basically, we want all of our clients to feel like they can use our website and services simply and easily. Party props like sci-fi themed bits and bobs, Western items and Halloween specials number amongst our most popular private event and party products.
Tags: hiring props, Prop Hire, prop suppliers, Stage Props, themed props
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April 30th, 2011
If you love Halloween, hosting an elaborate Halloween party is probably a dream come true for you. Maybe you’ve always wanted to go all out, but this is the first chance you’ve had to really put all your effort into a great party. Here are some ideas for decorating for an elaborate Halloween party, sure to spook even the most stoic guest.
Use realistic-looking props to decorate your party and you’ll create a creepy, Halloween atmosphere sure to be remembered for years to come. The Halloween section of movie props at Keeley Hire offers a wide variety of props that will be perfect for the occasion.
Movie props, such as those from Keeley Hire, can make great Halloween decorations. You’ll find everything from coffins and skulls to gravestones and mummies.
Add creepy gargoyles, statues, and gravestones to your front lawn, and pose a Jack the Ripper or witch statue just inside your front door to scare guests when they arrive. Fake skulls can be used as centre pieces on the tables, or hide a few in a corner in the hallway to startle guests when they head for the restroom.
From Keeley Hire, you’ll also find props like tombs, torture chairs, skull poles, fancy candelabras, pumpkins, cauldrons, and more.
Once you have chosen your props, all that remains for a perfect party is to choose your menu, music, costumes, and start inviting your friends. Remember to warn them that it will be a scary party—or, if you prefer, don’t warn them!
Tags: hiring props, Movie Props, party props, themed props
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January 27th, 2011
The UK is certainly a nation of period drama nuts. And to be honest, we’re exactly the same. Prop hire and period drama go hand in hand like Jane and Mr Rochester.
Period dramas (particularly serialised productions) are representations of a real historical period. Events may be fictional, yet historical details (e.g. farm equipment, beds, kitchen utensils, weapons, tapestries, books, carts etc) are factual and recognisable. Audiences tend to feel insulted and let down by inaccurate historical details. Here are just of few of the period dramas and historical adaptations we’ve put our hand to over the past years.
Larkrise to Candleford (2008-2011)
Set in the late 1800’s, we had a fantastic time creating the semi-autobiographical world of Flora Thomson’s novels. The BBC have returned to our experienced prop hire services repeatedly on this project – don’t forget to watch season four, which airs during early 2011.
Cranford (2007)
The 1840’s setting of the Cranford series fit our props selection perfectly. Cranford’s bustling village streets and sets had to accommodate constant use, close inspection and 100% visual continuity throughout the series.
Bleak House (2005)
Charles Dickens adaptations for the BBC are amongst our favourite TV productions. Dickens didn’t make the date setting of Bleak House clear, however noted legal historian Sir William Holdsworth identified the year as most likely 1827. The intrinsic legal framework of the novel made accurate props crucial, as did the intense scrutiny of Bleak House fans. Bleak House was nominated for 10 Emmys (including Best Art Direction)
Tags: Prop Hire, Props, themed props, TV props
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January 20th, 2011
Photography, particularly art photography, can be incredibly difficult to define. We see photography in the form of family snaps, magazine prints, newspapers and so on, which only goes to show the fantastic versatility of photography.
The context of a photograph is incredibly important. Meanings can be lost, altered, heightened, subdued or created using the same image under varying context.
Take the work we did some time ago with Glamour magazine and Jane Goldman on a Stardust-themed magazine photo shoot. The premise was to create a photo shoot tying Jane in with the movie she so tirelessly worked on. Since we worked on the Stardust set in 2007, Keeley Hire was the ideal choice for authentic movie props that added vital context to the set of images. Glamour didn’t simply want a series of shots of Jane amongst historical props; the context of the images was added using genuine movie props from the Stardust set and Glamour’s concurrent interview and feature piece.
Magazine photo shoots are only a small part of what can be accomplished using our props. Our photography clients typically (or atypically depending on how you look at it) hire props for unique portraits, fan events (e.g. sci-fi conventions, fantasy fairs), and artificial additions to point-and-shoot photography projects (e.g. social photography experiments like placing unusual objects in public places and photographing the free interaction of individuals).
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Make sure your images speak clearly using our quality props and setting tools.
Tags: Prop Hire, prop hire company, prop scenery, themed props
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May 24th, 2010
How To Ace Your Audition
If you are an aspiring actor or actress, you will probably attend several auditions each year. As you will know, competition for acting roles are fierce and getting the part you have set your heart on is not easy. One of the ways to get yourself noticed by casting directors and increase your chances of securing that all important role is to turn up to the audition appropriately dressed and equipped with useful props.
Casting directors and producers are always amazed by the sheer number of actors and actresses who turn up to their auditions dressed in the wrong outfit for the role they are hoping to win. Dressing inappropriately for an audition is often viewed by some directors as disrespectful and unprofessional and is likely to hamper your chances of winning the part.
If you wish to impress the casting director, you should take some time to read the role and research the part you wish to play. You should think about the kind of things the character would wear and how they would present themselves to the world. You should then look for an outfit which you think would be suitable for the role. If you are auditioning for a period piece, you may even want to consider hiring props and costumes for an authentic look. At Keeley Hire we have a wide range of props, and we can provide a cost effective way for you to get yourself noticed and impress casting directors.
Tags: authentic props, hiring props, Props, themed props
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May 20th, 2010
Props Can Make Your Party Memorable
‘Keeping up with the neighbours’ has always been an aspect of modern life. Whether it’s the car you drive or the clothes you wear, it seems like everyone is trying to outdo each other. Shows like My Super Sweet Sixteen are perfect examples of the lengths people will go to ensure their party is remembered for years to come. If you want your party to go with a bang, there is a sure fire tactic you can employ: hire some movie props.
Using stage or movie props to decorate your party venue is a great way to add the wow factor to your party. If you decide to use props for your special event, it is a good idea to have a theme which will pull your décor together and inspire your guests to get into the spirit of it. Fancy dress parties are always popular and by using movie props at your venue, you will take your party to a whole new level.
Choosing a theme for your party will be your first task. There are many to choose from and here at Keeley Hire, we have props for whatever ideas you may have. If you want to throw a classy and sophisticated roaring twenties party, we can supply you with feather boa’s, flapper dresses and some period furniture or if you are looking for something a little different you could throw a New York themed party complete with street signs, cocktails and gangsters.
Tags: Movie Props, Prop Hire, Props, themed props
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