CAndrewNelson
Member
Patience. Pure and simple.
I have often waited for years for just the right prop or costume piece. I also swore off the hobby for over a decade, contenting myself to admire the collections of others.
But as someone who works professionally in film and television as an actor, visual effects artist, and animator, I am blessed enough to have the opportunity to wear costumes and handle props on set while working on an actual production. I guess it doesn't get much more screen accurate than that! :lol Of course, I don't get to take them home with me for keeps except on extremely rare occasions (and with permission from the production, not by thievery). I spent 12 years officially portraying Darth Vader for Lucasfilm (the Special Edition, Rebel Assault II, commercials, TV appearances, print ads, etc.) and wore Dave Prowse's original costume for many of those years before the company comissioned replicas for me to wear. It's amazing how many people believe I got to keep that costume. (Every single piece of the 17-piece costume went right back to Skywalker Ranch when I was done shooting.) So being around the real deal makes it easier not to overspend on my collection.
Other ways I afford the hobby are by keeping my collection small and tapping my talented industry colleagues to help me create the items I'm looking for. Calling in favors as it were. It also helps to keep a sharp eye open for a bargain.
I think this type of collecting is a bit like owning classic autos. You start with what you can afford, you work on it to improve it, sell it and trade up until you have what you truly always wanted.
(Speaking of classic cars, anyone interested in a 1952 Packard?)
-----Drew
I have often waited for years for just the right prop or costume piece. I also swore off the hobby for over a decade, contenting myself to admire the collections of others.
But as someone who works professionally in film and television as an actor, visual effects artist, and animator, I am blessed enough to have the opportunity to wear costumes and handle props on set while working on an actual production. I guess it doesn't get much more screen accurate than that! :lol Of course, I don't get to take them home with me for keeps except on extremely rare occasions (and with permission from the production, not by thievery). I spent 12 years officially portraying Darth Vader for Lucasfilm (the Special Edition, Rebel Assault II, commercials, TV appearances, print ads, etc.) and wore Dave Prowse's original costume for many of those years before the company comissioned replicas for me to wear. It's amazing how many people believe I got to keep that costume. (Every single piece of the 17-piece costume went right back to Skywalker Ranch when I was done shooting.) So being around the real deal makes it easier not to overspend on my collection.
Other ways I afford the hobby are by keeping my collection small and tapping my talented industry colleagues to help me create the items I'm looking for. Calling in favors as it were. It also helps to keep a sharp eye open for a bargain.
I think this type of collecting is a bit like owning classic autos. You start with what you can afford, you work on it to improve it, sell it and trade up until you have what you truly always wanted.
(Speaking of classic cars, anyone interested in a 1952 Packard?)
-----Drew