Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop (a.k.a. Cheap and Quick Fake Oscar Build)

Shyaporn

Well-Known Member

• Nov 26, 2012

• #1

I know the Academy pretty much destroys anyone doing an exact replica, but does anyone know what chain or NYC stores might make a decent gold award statue item that is, as I often say, "good enough for YouTube?" I'm doing a quick video sketch and I need an Oscar-like awards statuette with similar size and heft.

I'm hoping someone knows of a store that stocks them so I don't have to go crawling through Chinatown and Little Italy looking randomly for a tourist shop. I'm not in LA, so they're far less prevalent here, and I also don't live in 1999, so SunCoast and Blockbusters are nowhere to be found either.

So far I've checked, in person and online:

Party City
Party Fair
Michaels
Target
K-Mart
Halloween Adventure/New York Costumes
Reminiscence

Anyone seen anyplace that has something close? I'd order it online, but I'd like to shoot this tomorrow.

Just for a guideline, I'm okay with this level of chintz:

Gold Plastic Statue from Windy City Novelties

Otherwise, I'm headed towards making something out of Sculpey... and I'm still tiiirreed from making Thanksgiving dinner for 16...

 

Last edited: Dec 2, 2012

TheNickFox

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Nov 26, 2012

• #2

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop

Most touristy tchotchke shops in NYC have gold statuettes by the metric ton. :lol

I would never recommend going near it otherwise, but Times Square is your friend. Tourists eat those things up. Follow the tourists and you're bound to found some.

If you don't feel like going into the 6th gate of hell, AKA Times Square, check out 5th avenue below 45th street. (but above K-town)

When I worked in the city, there was a tchotchke shop that had gold statuettes right next to my office on the west side of 5th Avenue between 43rd and 44th, though I remember them being on the smallish side but there are other shops a bit further south as well.

Good luck on your mission.

-Nick

 

Last edited: Nov 26, 2012

Shyaporn

Well-Known Member

• Nov 26, 2012

• #3

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop

Yeah, my recollection is that those statuettes are all around 6" tall. I suppose I can take a look though if this duct tape one I'm making right now doesn't work out.

 

Moviefreak

Legendary Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Nov 26, 2012

• #4

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop

Pm sent

 

EagleScout

New Member

• Nov 27, 2012

• #5

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop

from what I recall, the Academy is very protective of the statue and goes after anyone that makes a duplicate. There was a year that they hired a chocolate shop to make molded statues for gift bags and then sued them for copyright infringement. You may check out a trophy shop (like for bowling and other sport trophies). I had to make some Emmy Awards for a show and was able to find an appropraite posed angel and the globes and put them together. Otherwise, the ones I have seen in gift shops usually are grasping a wreath and not the sword. Good Luck.

 

Shyaporn

Well-Known Member

• Dec 2, 2012

• #6

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop

Thanks everyone for their suggestions. I ended up just making one out of duct tape, a food cannister and spray paint. It was for this video, by the way. As you can see, short shot, didn't need to be terribly realistic



Quick build pics here:

 

S

stgreg

New Member

• Jan 21, 2014

• #7

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop (a.k.a. Cheap and Quick Fake Oscar Bui

JUST CURIOUS about the AMPAS laws and/or Bylaws. The AMPAS rumours (threats, C&D's, legal filings, etc) they do it as often as they can. Their Patent on the thing is long expired. But, they involk their TM and Copyrights. Since I don't make them, or have one - just curious how these replicas as well as real ones make it out there!

 

Last edited: Jan 22, 2014

Moviefreak

Legendary Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Jan 21, 2014

• #8

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop (a.k.a. Cheap and Quick Fake Oscar Bui

stgreg said:

Nothing to see here folks

Click to expand...

Advice?... Do not do it! No joking!
They will see it, they will contact you via their lawyer and they will confiscate it.
Just don't mess with them at all as they are the toughest on their property out there.

Read some stories of members who got contacted in the following thread
http://www.therpf.com/f9/academy-award-oscar-84481/

 

Last edited: Jan 22, 2014

Apollo

Legendary Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Jan 21, 2014

• #9

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop (a.k.a. Cheap and Quick Fake Oscar Bui

Oh Boy! :rolleyes

 

Contec

Master Member

• Jan 22, 2014

• #10

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop (a.k.a. Cheap and Quick Fake Oscar Bui

opcorn

 

joberg

Legendary Member

• Jan 22, 2014

• #11

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop (a.k.a. Cheap and Quick Fake Oscar Bui

The men in black are comin'

 

S

stgreg

New Member

• Jan 22, 2014

• #12

Re: Looking for a simulated Academy Award prop (a.k.a. Cheap and Quick Fake Oscar Bui

Thanks for the advice. I have heard horror stories. I see many really good ones on Ebay going for high amounts. I guess Ebay doesn't pull them.. but I have to wonder what happens to the seller (or buyer) after the sale.