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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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October 5th, 2010
Movie props are integral to creating a realistic environment on screen, and therefore they exist across all genres of film. However, it is in the science fiction genre in particular that props seem to become truly iconic and even become the stars of the show in their own right.
Star Wars
Perhaps the best loved series of films and certainly the most prolific in terms of iconic movie props, Star Wars was packed full of movie props that that have gone down in history. The most famous of these is obviously the lightsaber, yet there were plenty of others, from Han’s laser pistol to Darth Vader’s helmet.
Star Trek
Just like Star Wars, Star Trek was full of great movie props, which were not just there to create a sense of realism, but existed to show the viewer what the future of space travel could potentially look like. Some notable examples of Star Trek props include the phaser and the universal translator.
TV Sci Fi Props
Its not all about the big screen, as props have played an equally important role when it came to TV science fiction. Some familiar examples of these include the TARDIS from Doctor Who, and Rover from the Prisoner, which became one of the scariest villains in 60s science fiction despite being a giant balloon.
It is perhaps the nature of science fiction that makes it so dependent on props, as rather than creating sets that we recognise, Sci Fi props are made as suggestions for what may be in the future.
Tags: Movie Props, Props, star wars props, TV props
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September 27th, 2010
It is incredible what directors and others working behind the scenes in the production of films these days are capable of achieving and movie props are a big part of the process. Without them, the effects that audiences are treated to would simply not be possible and the industry would not be able to exist as we know it.
As technology advances, more and more options become available to people making films in terms of what effects they can create on screen. For example, prop weapons these days are so realistic that they are often indistinguishable from the real thing – although thankfully not to the actors who have to pretend to be injured by them.
Examples of these artificial weapons include using guns that fire blanks, swords that have been blunted sufficiently to render them safe for use (while also still retaining the appearance of a sharp blade), and knives which are made from plastic or rubber as opposed to more harmful alternatives.
Other props that help directors achieve their desired effect include those which break or smash when used in stunts as their real-life counterparts do, but under much less pressure – thus meaning actors and body-doubles are not subjected to potentially dangerous impacts. One example of such a movie prop is mock glassware that is made from crystallised sugar, which is often used for fight scenes, in which objects that look like real drinking glasses and mirrors are smashed over a character’s head or body.
Tags: Movie Props, prop hire company, Props, TV props
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September 14th, 2010
When staging any production for film, TV or theatre, it is essential to avoid anachronisms, unless they are an intentional part of the plot or story. For example, if you were filming a Victorian period drama and a character walked past a post box from the 1950s, this anachronism would make the audience question the authenticity of the piece, the whole concept of suspension of disbelief would be shattered, the entire dramatic contract between author, actor and audience would be broken and the tone of the piece immediately becomes comical or farcical.
By choosing Keeley Hire for all of your movie props and theatre sets, embarrassing scenarios such as this can easily be avoided. We can advise you of the most authentic props which are contemporary to the setting of your production and our expertise enables us to perfect your production down to the last minute detail. The next time that you notice a Ferrari whooshing past a horse and cart during a medieval drama, or a World War Two era tank trundling into action over the battlegrounds of World War One, you can rest assured that the production companies were not wise enough to seek advice from Keeley Hire.
Subtle details often set the best theatre sets apart from poorly planned productions and at Keeley Hire, we take pride in ensuring that all of your theatre props and movie props are authentic and original. We want to you to rest assured that the audience is only bamboozled, surprised and confused at the appropriate moments, not throughout the entire production. We do not want your serious thriller to become slapstick, surrealist comedy because of a lack of foresight, so please ensure that you always put your trust in our prop specialists.
Tags: authentic props, Movie Props, theatre props, Theatre Sets, TV props
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February 18th, 2010
Whenever you watch a television programme or film that is set in a particular time, you can be certain that the prop buyers on that production have gone to painstaking trouble to ensure that the props used are as authentic as possible. One of the most common comments for filmmakers to receive is that something was not correct.
For example, the lantern held by the Great Northern Railways porter was not issued to staff until 1946 whereas the film is quite clearly set in 1945. This might seem pedantic on the part of the viewer and most people suspend their disbelief so that they can enjoy the story being told, but props are a vital part of the film’s overall atmosphere.
The most difficult periods to get right are the more recent ones because many viewers will have their own memories of those times. However, there is nothing better than being transported to another time and place and the props team have a huge part to play in that. The everyday items such as bicycles, bags and telephones, whilst all relatively minor, add up to give a real flavour of a particular period.
At Keeley Hire we have over half a million props covering everything from mundane everyday articles to the positively exotic. Our premises are just outside London and you can arrange to collect your items or we can have them delivered to you if you prefer. Don’t let a lack of attention to detail spoil the reception of your production, especially when such an efficient prop hire company is at your disposal.
Tags: film props, Prop Hire, Props, props supplier, TV props
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February 4th, 2010
One of the most enjoyable programmes on television over the Christmas period was arguably Victoria Wood’s ‘Midlife Christmas.’ At its centre was a spoof of the BBC’s costume dramas. What made the comedy particularly effective was the setting. Because Victoria Wood was working for the BBC she was able to use the sets, costumes and props from the series ‘Larkrise to Candleford’ in her spoof ‘Lark Pies to Cranchesterford.’ The fact that we supplied props for the original television series only makes this slightly more interesting for us!
Whether you’re making a period drama, something very topical or a story set in the far future, it is vital that the props look like the real thing. Think how disappointing it would be if Doctor Who appeared on our screens with a sonic screwdriver that looked like it came out of a breakfast cereal packet.
At Keeley Hire, we have over half a million props which have been used in Hollywood blockbusters, popular television series and award winning advertisements. We have a selection of these items listed on our website but these are just the tip of the iceberg.
We have been supplying television, film and events with the perfect props for over forty years. Our personnel have a wealth of experience. In fact any problems you’re having with regard to sourcing props have probably been dealt with by our experts before. We have everything in our covered warehousing where you can collect your requirements or we can arrange to have them delivered.
Tags: Prop Hire, Props, props supplier, TV props
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