#1 In Coraline (2009) The Crew Spent 800 Hours Painting 250,000 Pieces Of Popcorn—Pink On The Outside, Red On The Kernel—To Stand In As Blossoms For The Nearly 70 Trees
#2 In An Episode Of Mutant X, Jesse Uses A Familiar Looking “Device.” It Looks Like A High Tech Gadget With Buttons, But I Recognized It As The Eyeshadow Compact I’ve Had Since High School
#3 In Dunkirk (2017), Christopher Nolan Used Eleven "Little Boats" That Actually Took Part In The Real-Life Dunkirk Evacuation In 1940, Saving The Lives Of Countless Soldiers
As mentioned, film props can easily feel insignificant in a scene. But those who work on them know the attention to detail involved. Veteran props coordinator Julian Weaver spoke with BAFTA to share some insight into how it all works.
“You have to keep on top of that to make sure they’re using the same pencil,” he said. “If they go off to lunch and take their props with them – that happens quite a lot – you have to go and get the props back if you’re using the same ones in the afternoon scene.”
#4 Giant Ring Used For Close-UPS In ‘Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring’ (2001)
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So what does it take to be a good and effective prop person? Weaver laid out the job requirements, and having good attention to detail is just one of them.
“You need to have a certain amount of practical skill, for example, how to hang a picture. You have to have a good eye, and you need to be able to carry things,” he said. “There’s a lot of unloading and loading lorries (delivery trucks).”
#7 This Transmitter That Cracks Access Codes In Resident Evil (2002) Is A Glucose Meter With An Antenna
#8 Prop: In Phantom Menace, Qui Gonn’s Comlink Is A Gillette Women’s Razor
#9 This Tool In The Book Of Boba Fett Is The Same Torch I Have
Weaver does standby work as a propsman, which means he is responsible for all the environments and action props that the actors use. As he explains, the job requires you to “have your foot on the accelerator” the entire time.
“You’re concentrating constantly,” he said. “It’s very intense. Some of the most difficult scenes are food scenes where you’re having to replenish plates.”
#10 The Chest Thing The First Order Officer Wears In The Kyle Ren Snl Sketch Is A Pack Of Gum
#11 The Muzzle On Max In The Opening Of “Fury Road” Is A Garden Fork Without The Handle. It Works For The Style Of The Wasteland, Where Everything Is Recycled
#12 The Expanse [2018]. The Cryo Chamber Used For Mei Is A Repurposed Thule 624 Cargo Box
Like film props, production design often goes unnoticed when people watch a movie. However, it plays a vital role in maintaining the film's overall visual look.
Production designer Michael Pickwood, who worked on notable titles like the Doctor Who TV series, also spoke with BAFTA to share insight into his job.
#13 I Present To You: Willrow Hoods AKA Ice Cream Man From Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back In The Background Of Cloud City. He Carries A Completely Undecorared Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker. This Previously Unnamed Character Has Spawned A Cult Following, Leading To Books, Comics, And Fan Lore
#14 60s Batman’s Utility Belt Pouches Were Sometimes Made From Kitchen Sponges
#15 That’s An Escalator
“It may be a nonsense story, but the better you make the setting, the more believable the nonsense is, and everyone will go with it,” Pickwood said, describing his work on Lost in Austen, a British TV fantasy-romance miniseries released in 2008.
#16 Long Lost Hungarian Masterpiece Was Accidentally Found In The Background Of The Movie Stewart Little. “Sleeping Lady With Black Vase” By Robert Bereny
#17 Wall Panels On The UK Game Show “Crystal Maze” Are Presswood Shipping Pallets Sprayed Silver
#18 Greef Kargas Buckle Is A Cheap Folding Knife
Being a production designer has its challenges, and Pickwood was kind enough to provide some tips for those who want to get into the business.
“The aim is to make sets and locations particular and pertinent,” he said. “You then add visual information by using wit and allegory, in detail and dressing. Have the courage of your convictions to carry out ideas. Keep up the momentum so you can react quickly to changes of plan.”
#19 Watchmens (TV) Interrogation Chamber Remote Is A Dyson Fan Controller
#20 In The End Credit Scene Of Guardians Of The Galaxy, Taneleer Tivan (The Collector) Drinks His Martini From An Alessi ‘Big Love’ Ice Cream Bowl
