I would, of course, rather have originals -- but who can afford them!
Originals for sure. I started out with replicas and then did a transition into original/screen used pieces after finding out it is possible to get that piece you saw in a film and have always wanted.
For me it's an easy choice, mostly because my interest is very limited so there is not much else I wanna collect. There is nothing better than owning your favorite screen used piece from your favorite film(s), to me it's more than just film used items; it's art, a beautiful sculpture, iconic, hollywood history and nostalgia.
What are some originals you have?
I don't have a lot, my favorites are:
Screen-Matched Batman Panther cowl from Batman Forever (This is my absolute favorite of the whole collection, my holy grail.)
Production Made Sonar cowl from Batman Forever
Screen-Used Clooney cowl from Batman & Robin
Screen-Used Sonar Ice cowl from Batman & Robin
General rule of thumb for me would be BUY screen-used, MAKE replicas
Oddly, every once in a while, I do get to make a "replica" that becomes screen used (like our Star Wars aliens for commercials and videos and such), which is a sorta nice blending of the two.
Before I bought my first real production-made/used prop, I had no idea of the power they would eventually have over me. A replica is great as a toy – you can hold it and be a kid again in the best sense of the term. But an actual prop from a film holds a special magic to me. It's not just a copy, but an ACTUAL PIECE OF THE FILM I LOVE. It was built for the film, was on-set, and could have been used by God-only-knows who. The dings and cracks it possesses might have come from the hero dropping it, or just from day-to-day on-set use. They are part of its DNA and mystique. They define it as having been used, rather than being an idealized copy. And because of that, no matter how simple or outlandish the prop is, I think of it as REAL. Far more real than any replica could possibly be.
For me, it is accuracy over quantity. If I can get the real thing (original prop) that is what I try to do. I don't need a lot of pieces in my collection, but I want the pieces I have to be the absolute best of the best. I know, for many, the appeal is in the satisfaction of building it yourself and creating something. My skillset is extremely limited, so that isn't necessarily my goal. It is more about obtaining that perfect representation of the piece I was amazed by when watching the movie. I would take one perfect original prop over a dozen replicas. This doesn't mean that originals are "better" than replicas, but originals satisfy my personal need for accuracy much better. I often finnd myself frustrated by my replicas because I tend to see their flaws. With original pieces, it is what it is and there is a level of satisfaction I get there that I don't get from many of my replicas.
I own both screen-used and replica pieces, but for me it's no contest. I love the actual movie props. Any replicas I have are of items that I could never get or afford the real things of.
Btw, since you own some original props, how do you go about identifying which scene it was used in? Propmakers normally make several ones or several different versions, so unless it was stated in the description or on the COA, do you ever try to identify which scene your prop was used in? (I'm getting some screen used props, but unfortunately, the exact scene isn't specified.)
Same question for you too. "Btw, since you own some original props, how do you go about identifying which scene it was used in? Propmakers normally make several ones or several different versions, so unless it was stated in the description or on the COA, do you ever try to identify which scene your prop was used in? (I'm getting some screen used props, but unfortunately, the exact scene isn't specified.)"
Wow! Nice Batman stuff!! I'm a huge fan of Batman. Do you have any pictures?? I'd like to see all of them!
Thanks. You can see them on YourProps or PropBay under the username Proximo.
Thanks! I just looked at your props! I was wondering, how much did it cost for you to get some of the cowl's? For instance, the Sonar Ice Cowl that you got directly from Warner Bros. And awesome that you were able to screen-match some of them too!
Also, I noticed that you also had The Riddler's mask. You stated that you got it directly from the makeup artist. Did you contact her directly or did she have some of her stuff up for auction?
Sorry, I'm not willing to disclose that. The value fluctuate all the time, if you were to buy one I'd recommend to try and find one privately instead of auction. A company called Theme Park Connection obtained a bunch of pieces directly from Ve during the production of an episode of the Syfy TV show, "Hollywood Treasure".
Thanks for the tips, and I'll definitely check out that company. Why do you recommend private over auction?
Also, when you say privately, what do you mean? Contact the propmaker or studio directly?
Silent Hill- Dark Nurse Uniform (Screen Matched!)
That Silent Hill Nurse outfit is a personal Grail of mine. I grew up playing the Silent Hill Franchise and never in my wildest dreams would I ever have believed I'd be able to own an actual creature costume ripped straight from that frightening world. A nurse no less!!!
So yeah, original all the way baby!