Entries Tagged as 'props'

Inspiration Hot Line

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 →]

Plastic Swords: Safer Fight Scenes

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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It’s What You Do With What You’ve Got

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 →]

Movie-Making: Are We Crazy?

For years (four, to be precise) I’ve wondered whether we movie-makers have gotten into the best occupation on earth, or if we’re just gluttons for punishment. Who in their right mind would want to spend a month in the feverish, non-stop, stress-filled, running-around-in-circles activity we call making a movie? That naturally leads to the question, are we in our right minds? But this isn’t about getting personal. The question is, why? [Read more →]

Tea, anyone?

EXT Lydia’s Hut DAY and INT Lydia’s hut DAY. Just two short sentences from the script. As head of the “Phantom Moose Large Props Department,” it was my job to take those lines and convert them into a semi-believable reality. [Read more →]