PropArtist
Well-Known Member
I recently had a discussion with someone around the semantics of owning a screen-used prop.
The contention was that as the owner of a screen-used prop, one is looked down upon for not sharing exact details of the prop within our community.
I wanted to throw the topic out there for discussion - as I can see the logic from both sides of the argument.
Most of us spend a lot of money to own screen-used props from our beloved films.
If we then provide exact details, sizes, etc. to others in our community, does this in fact have the potential to devalue the original screen-used prop?
Don't get me wrong, I love the collaborative nature of our hobby and the RPF, but there are those who take advantage of people's good nature.
The RPF does a great job to weed out the crooks and ban them, but....
Given the quality of work I see coming from this community, can one argue that down the road if someone lacked the scruples, they could attempt to pass off a well-made replica as the real deal based upon the provided details from the original.
Given the amount of detail, they could even include any "screen matched" imperfections.
Like most of us, I view screen-used props as art, similar to an oil painting from a gallery.
As the owner of an oil painting for example, one may own the rights to reproduce the image.
If you share the high-res scans of the oil painting, to allow others to create spot on copies and in turn share the joy of the prop, are you devaluing the original that you own?
I'm not sure if this makes sense, but I wanted to get your feedback.
I was once burned, and I don't want that cloud my judgement.
Thoughts appreciated.
Thanks!
The contention was that as the owner of a screen-used prop, one is looked down upon for not sharing exact details of the prop within our community.
I wanted to throw the topic out there for discussion - as I can see the logic from both sides of the argument.
Most of us spend a lot of money to own screen-used props from our beloved films.
If we then provide exact details, sizes, etc. to others in our community, does this in fact have the potential to devalue the original screen-used prop?
Don't get me wrong, I love the collaborative nature of our hobby and the RPF, but there are those who take advantage of people's good nature.
The RPF does a great job to weed out the crooks and ban them, but....
Given the quality of work I see coming from this community, can one argue that down the road if someone lacked the scruples, they could attempt to pass off a well-made replica as the real deal based upon the provided details from the original.
Given the amount of detail, they could even include any "screen matched" imperfections.
Like most of us, I view screen-used props as art, similar to an oil painting from a gallery.
As the owner of an oil painting for example, one may own the rights to reproduce the image.
If you share the high-res scans of the oil painting, to allow others to create spot on copies and in turn share the joy of the prop, are you devaluing the original that you own?
I'm not sure if this makes sense, but I wanted to get your feedback.
I was once burned, and I don't want that cloud my judgement.
Thoughts appreciated.
Thanks!
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