Do you have any requirements when it comes to props?

[DARTH SABER]

When you sift through the pages of the RPF you'll find prop replica projects ranging from iconic movie props, to the most obscure props in films.
Some props are actually part of the story, and some appear for a brief second and are virtually unnoticed.

Example - The Maltese Falcon or the Ruby slippers are probably the most iconic props of all time. THey had plenty of screen time, and they were an integral part of the story.
These props would be instantly recognizable to even a basic film buff.


On the other hand, there are some props that merely appear in the background, out of focus or only for a few seconds....Maybe a vase, or a glass, lamp etc.
These props would most likely never be identified by hardcore film buffs.


With that being said - what are your requirements to inspire you to create a replica of a prop?


Does the prop need to be well known or instantly identifiable?
Does it need to have a certain amount of screen time?
Does it need to be important to the story?
Does it not matter what it is, as long as it's in the film?
Does it have to have to be a unique custom prop, not a found object?
Does the prop itself not matter, as long as it's from the classic film?


DS

 

[Darth Brass]

My requirement? Has to be awesome.

 

[propologist]

original and not done 50 times....I get tired of seeing the endless same old same old posted.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Must be Star Wars. That's about it for me.

 

[WinstonWolf359]

For most of the things I collect, I need to have some kind of personal connection to the film or TV show itself. Something I've watched again and again and enjoyed enough to want to own a piece of that particular show.

Second, the item needs to have some kind of strong connection or importance to the characters or film itself. It needs to go beyond a background piece or a once-handled item.

 

[Amish Trooper]

They gotta give me the warm and fuzzy feeling.

 

[Ozymandius]

I don't think that a prop's attractiveness can be summarized by any one quality, but there are certain properties that most, if not all, iconic props do share.

First there is the art and beauty of the piece itself, the craftsmanship. The Maltese Falcon, the Raiders golden idol, the Staff of Ra headpiece, Conan's sword, a Stormtrooper helmet; these are all original pieces of art that don't exist in the real world. They are truly unique objects of art in their own right.

Secondly is their signifigance to the story and how owning them connects you to that story. By seeking these objects out or recreating them, we are in essence trying to bring a touch of the fantastical and extraordinary into our otherwise ordinary lives.

Thirdly is the story behind the object as a prop. In researching these props we often uncover the fascinating stories that lie behind their creation. How many of us have catalogued all the different parts that went in to create the original lightsabers, blasters, ghost traps, and spaceships and then wondered at the imagination it took to throw all these disparate elements together into something new and amazing.

Personally I think that it is the absence of these elements in newer movies is the reason that they don't seem to hold the same appeal. CG may look cool, but it's still an intangible thing that exists only in a computer, and subconciously I think we all know that and dismiss those films as being somehow "less real".

That's my theory, or at least the abbreviated version of it.

Oz

 

[Garthok]

They just have to make me happy, and get me thinking back on the movie. That's about it. I don't collect anything to impress anyone else..most people just shake their heads anyway!

 

[Wes R]

It just has to catch my eye and/or fit in with something else i collect even if it is something obscure and even if its from a CGI file if it can be made real that works for me.

 

[defstartrooper]

Does the prop need to be well known or instantly identifiable?
Most people don't recognise the stuff we would class as instantly identifiable anyway so no.

Does it need to have a certain amount of screen time?
No

Does it need to be important to the story?
Not really

Does it not matter what it is, as long as it's in the film?
Yes it matters it has to be cool, case in point theres a ball of red wool for sale from some movie i cant remember what movie on Propstore of London, i think they wanted £35 for it that's just stupid it's not even a full ball of wool. :lol


Does it have to have to be a unique custom prop, not a found object?
Found objects are ok it depends on the item see above for example.

Does the prop itself not matter, as long as it's from the classic film?
Yes it matters see previous two answers.

 

[Wes R]

At least the ball of whool would be cheap to replicate lol. I agree some things just don't make good props to replicate.

 

[Frosteon]

I don't really have requirements. It just has to be interesting. Lore's borg suit from the TNG episode "Descent" is something I've been interested in, although it'll be a while before I attempt it. I'm not that experienced yet

 

[defstartrooper]

Prop Store - Ultimate Movie Collectables

My mistake it's £25 not £35 but even so.

 

[DARTH SABER]

For me - Aside from having to be from a film that I enjoy, it still needs to be somewhat iconic.
Enough screen time and clarity to identify it from a certain film, and it has to be unique enough that it doesn't apply as a generic item found in a broad range of films.

 

[jme3]

..most people just shake their heads anyway!

QFT.

But if it's SW, then it's pretty much prop-worthy.

 

[CB2001]

My requirements:

1. Quality
2. Construction Method
3. What Film/Movie/Comic/Book/TV Show/Video Game is it from (and whether I like the subject its from)

 

[Organic Mechanic]

It must be iconic. Not necessarily to film buffs at large, but to me. For example, Connor's sword definitely, but I feel no desire for say, his sweatshirt.

 

[kurtyboy]

For me, accuracy is an important consideration.

 

[monkeyracing]

It just has have that "neat-o" factor. I don't care about the who, what, when, where, why or how.

I suppose, for me, a 'prop' could be something I've built that's never been in a film.

I just like cool/shiny/interesting things. I must be part magpie.

 

[micdavis]

Must be Star Wars. That's about it for me.

That's so sad.