While creating the props for our DragonSpell Teaser Trailer, I was confronted with the fact that we needed a sword. A sword that looked fairly decent. One that didn’t have “Made in China” visible on the blade. And preferably one without cheesy-looking plastic decoration on the hilt. Unfortunately, that was all we had on hand. And the zero-dollar budget made buying one out of the question. Besides, if I had managed to talk Jordan and Ruth into spending the money, it wouldn’t have got here in time. I was left with no choice but to make something out of those plastic excuses for a weapon.

Drastic times called for drastic actions. We chose the handle from the sword of Chocolate, and the blade from the sword of Ice Cream. Tremble, world, there will never be an iSundae 3 ever because the swords of Ice Cream and Chocolate have been destroyed. They were thrown into the firey Mount Doom known as the craftroom and reborn as this sword. (Please hold applause until the end of the article.)

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Tags: Blog, Props and Costumes by Rebekah
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Well. We’ve done another shoot for Simply Charlotte Mason. This one was smaller, weighing in at about three hours of footage. Now we’re done with the big stuff for them, so now it’s time to turn to our own project. Yep, the book trailer. [Read more →]

Tags: Blog, Movies, Props and Costumes by Jordan
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You’re halfway through pre-production and the storyboards just don’t look right, even though you’ve re-done them three times.

The script isn’t working. Try what you may, it just isn’t working.

A list of props that need to be made stares you in the face. What should they look like? Your brain refuses to function.

These are places when it is easiest to say, “Forget this, I’m going to go read a book.” True, you could plunge on ahead and make yourself do them, but, for goodness sake, it’s not FUN! Isn’t this life-consuming production we call amateur movie-making supposed to be fun? If not fun, at least semi-enjoyable. I mean, who wants to burst into tears over a sketch of a medieval table? (And no, I have not personally done that one. Yet.) [Read more →]

Tags: Blog, Books by Rebekah
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Considering that I just posted a link to an article about stage fighting, I thought it would be a good time to discuss the swords that we use.

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Tags: Blog, Props and Costumes by Jordan
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How many times have we, as filmmakers, longed for fancy props, elaborate sets, or even just enough space to film in? Well, here is a list of tips that can work wonders. [Read more →]

Tags: Blog, Props and Costumes, Tips and Tricks by Rebekah
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