Doing ORIGINAL Props for a SHORT FILM (Research / Help Thread)

[UnusualWizardry]

Hey guys, i'm going to be working on a Short Film in the coming months as a project, and as i've been getting really into making props, and more specifically PAPER props, the Director has made me in charge of props (in addition to my regular jobs for him as Cameraman and Editor) now, this is going to be my first large-scale (Well, large-scale compared to anything i've done before) prop making job.

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post it, if it's not then please move it, but i figured since this is about Props it'd fit.

The basic thing I need is reference and help finding some things for the props we need. Here are the props that I need to make (These need to be ORIGINAL props, just BASED on a general idea):
-I need to make 2, 3-Drawer filing cabinets worth of files done in the style of Police files.

The basic thing I need help with is not creating the content for the files (but if you'd like to help with creating content feel free to PM me) but rather their style, The director needs them to look like files that Police keep for Murder victims or files about crimes and murder, so if anyone has any good reference as to what Poilce files look like (Preferably the inside of the folders, the page layouts, etc.) so if anyone has any reference that they can share it would be VERY helpful.

Now I need to track down 1, preferrably 2 METAL, Filing Cabinets with THREE drawers, it HAS to be 3 drawers. So if anyone knows where i can find some 3 drawer metal filing cabinets for a decent price (the ones i've found have been over $1,000) they CAN be used as long as they are still in good shape (if they're extremely dinted or dirty then they will not work)

So, if anyone could lend a helping hand, it would be very well...helpful. Lol. Anyone that helps can have their name put in the end credits as well as a special thanks to the RPF Forums, of course it's not like its going to be seen by a TON of people, but still.

Thank you very much in advance to anyone who can help, and if you have any further questions please feel free to send me a PM!

-Shane
~Zeeky5678~

 

[Mike J.]

An important consideration is how many pages with content will be seen by the camera. If the director wants a montage of dozens of pages of text, that's one thing. If he just wants so see the actor open a file drawer full of files, pull out one folder, and open it up to reveal one or two pages of information, that's another.

As far as file cabinets themselves, start checking out yard sales, Craigslist used office furniture stores, etc. You may be able to borrow one from a friend or friend-of-a-friend. If all else fails, try asking a store if you could rent a file cabinet, with a refundable deposit or collateral.


-Mike J.

 

[epilepticsquirl]

+:thumbsup
for the Craigslist idea. With a little luck you can find exactly what you're looking for. I always keep an eye out for the curb alerts. If that's not your thing, you could find some great deals at your local thrift stores.

For the Police files, I recommend catching up on your Law and Order. I just know that a picture paper clipped to the binder is a must for any police file :lol Unfortunately they usually use those expensive Legal binders to hold everything. But this seems to be a pretty standard report, A similar report was filled out when my car got demolished.
http://www.jasmynecannick.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ga_policereport_01.jpg

and part of an actual murder police report.
JFK police report of the person who took Lee Harvey Oswald to work on the day of the murder

John Lennon's report
http://www.jfkmontreal.com/john_lennon/police_report/nypdpr_pg3.jpg

A full on report would be in there too I imagine
http://www.graphicwitness.com/carter/pix/homicide1.gif
http://www.graphicwitness.com/carter/pix/homicide2.gif

and don't forget the crime scene sketch!
http://www.benhammott.com/coustaussa-church-2/gelis-murder-plan.jpg

a supplementary report
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/nvdrs-implement/images/pg13.gif

another homicide report
http://www.naderlibrary.com/kingkill.4.jpg

and don't forget to highlight random things with handwritten notes. That always makes things look cooler,:cool hehe
http://www.graphicwitness.com/carter/pix/bullets.gif

and here is President John F. Kennedy's report too for good measure
http://www.godfreydykes.info/images/four_days_2.jpg

 

[Shylaah]

Don't know what you consider a 'decent' price, but wow! that $1000 one must have been from the vendor to the Pentagon!?!
You didn't mention style.....Ikea has a three drawer one for $99....

Fortunately I don't know what a real police file looks like as I've always managed to avoid the law!! But thinking back on TV and movie versions my general impression is a photo or two of the perp or victim and a paper of "information" clipped to the left side of the folder with thicker stack of paper "forms and reports" clipped on the right side......

Shylaah

 

[Mike J.]

FOIA releases from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies might make good 'filler.'


-Mike J.

 

[epilepticsquirl]

and pictures of the murder weapon with those measurement/scale sticks. and lot's of pics of the crime scene with the little yellow numbered cones. This actually sounds like a fun project now that I'm getting into it. Too bad I don't have my Silent Hill DVD with me at the moment. There was a scene that showed pretty good shots of an old school Police report.

 

[CB2001]

Zeekly- I don't know where you're broadcasting from. But when ti comes to folders, it depends on what kind of drawers they are. I mean, I've got a filing cabinet, two drawers, that require the folders with the hooks on them to "hang" in there. But if you're looking for the typical file folder, the ones without the hooks, try visiting places like Big Lots or Family Dollar (if you live in the U.S.), as you can get them on the cheap.

As for content in the folders, you can always print out novels in the public domain and break them up into folders that are not going to be opened in the scene and save the info that your script calls for for the "hero" folder.

 

[UnusualWizardry]

Hey guys, it's been awhile since i've posted back on this thread, but i'm proud to say that thanks to all of your help, I've gotten all of my graphics work done, and we're going to start filming in the coming weeks! So, i'd like to thank all of you for your help with this, and if you would lik to be credited in the credits, shoot me a PM. Again, thanks VERY much, and if you guys want to see updates on the film, i'll start a thread in the Off-Topic forum, and i'll post pictures of the finished props here in this thread! Again, thank you guys VERY VERY much for your help, it's greatly appriciated

 

[epilepticsquirl]

awesome, I was just thinking about this topic a couple of days ago and was wondering how you managed to complete your project.

Pictures are always welcome! lots of pictures!

 

[UnusualWizardry]

awesome, I was just thinking about this topic a couple of days ago and was wondering how you managed to complete your project.

Pictures are always welcome! lots of pictures!

Cool, cool, i'll post pictures of props here, and if anyone would like to see progress and pictures of the actual film then keep up with this thread:
http://www.therpf.com/f12/written-away-2010-short-film-97428/

 

[CB2001]

Cool beans.

 

[Raza Crew]

Here's what we used to keep in out case files.

Initial police report of crime
Victim/witness written statements
Case notes
Photos (victims, crime scenes, evidence)
Transcripts of suspect interviews
CCH (career criminal history) checks of suspects/witnesses/victims


One idea is you can go to any police department and get a copy of a police report similar to the crime you wanna focus on and use the contents as inspiration/filler