Does anyone know of a good prop makers forum?

StevenUK

StevenUK

Hello, basically what I just said in the title. Does anyone know of a good prop makers forum?

It's a specialised thing, so not really in conflict with Indietalk, so I hope they won't mind me asking about other forums.

It's an interesting area and plenty of 'amateurs' seem to be producing very professional stuff. I've made a few bits for my current project, but could do with an 'Indietalk' (i.e. friendly and knowledgable) kind of forum to quiz people.

Steven
 
Why can't prop making be a subset of IndieTalk? Ask your questions...Lets talk about the answers! I want to learn how to make props and will certainly give my advice if I have some.
 
For a while there was some good stuff going on sticktowhatyouknow , but I haven't been over there for a while. Sanctuary.indieshare.com also had a props section, but I stopped checking it after it got real quiet for a long time.

Any particular type of props? My thing is prop weaponry, so I also know of modelgun forums, blank gun forums, sword forums, etc. I also know there's cosplay forums out there that probably get into some of the props they use for that stuff.
 
blackcloak said:
Why can't prop making be a subset of IndieTalk? Ask your questions...Lets talk about the answers! I want to learn how to make props and will certainly give my advice if I have some.
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I don't know, it seems to be quite a big subject with pelnty of subgroups etc. seems like it would need it's own forum. Often it's related to model making and prototyping.

FightDesigner said:
For a while there was some good stuff going on sticktowhatyouknow , but I haven't been over there for a while. Sanctuary.indieshare.com also had a props section, but I stopped checking it after it got real quiet for a long time.

Any particular type of props? My thing is prop weaponry, so I also know of modelgun forums, blank gun forums, sword forums, etc. I also know there's cosplay forums out there that probably get into some of the props they use for that stuff.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pointers, they seem pretty cool sites. At the moment I'm making a Sci-Fi short, with the emphasis definitely on the fiction rather than science. I've made most of the props by adapting 'found objects', to help them look more real. I've made some pretty brutal looking rifles out of chair legs and DIY supplies.

Although I'm nearly finished making my props it woke an interest in the subject which I'd like to continue. Also prop and replica prop collecting.

Cheers
Steven
 
rifle.jpg


They're big and they're heavy and the irony is that after all the time the characters spend dutifully lugging them about, they never actually get to really fire them.

Part of the stories is that the weapons are made in small workshops dotted about the place, a little like Vietnam workshops. So they have to look rough and ready, yet purposeful.

They're extremely rugged and can be thrown about quite happily by the actors with no fear of damage.

Here's a picture of the costumes that go with them. Nothing too out of the ordinary. The film's more of dialogue based piece, but I wanted the props to be convincing, for the actors as well as the audience.

costumes.jpg
 
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Does have a bit of the Sten gun look to it- couple of pieces of pipe and a drill press and you've got a receiver. Curious though- are they supposed to be projectile or some kinda sci-fi ray gun thing? Either way, I find myself wondering where the ammo or charge goes- seems like a gun should have some way to 'load', if only so the actors have more 'business' they can do with it sometimes.

Cool looking costumes, but the masks seem a difficult choice for a dialogue-heavy movie... sound design folks musta hated that. From a stunt point of view that kinda outfit is awesome though- no need to hide pads, you're padded already, plus you can 're-use' stunt guys since they all look alike anyway.
 
Yep, I've gone for a charged up raygun type arrangement.

From the film website (when it eventually goes live) "the standard issue Shock Rifle is a derivative of the Bramham Dynamics™ Compact Acoustic Mining Drill, used by many of the colony's mineral contractors". Of course I won't go into anymore detail than that, because it'll show how completely made up the science is, ahh the beauty of sci-fi. They're supposed to be a bit useless, compared to the enemies weapons.

Some working parts would give the actors something to work with. I'd considered adding some cooling holes, but decided against it because I had six guns to produce (plus a really big one) and I didn't think I'd do a good job of it.

The masks as well as being part of the story allow me dub the dialogue on after without worrying about lipsync. They've got LEDs on which light up when you talk, however they've proved invisibly on many shots. Luckily the actors have proved quite animated when they speak. I can tell how's speaking, especially with close-ups etc. but I'll need a second opinion later.

And like you say it does allow me to do some filming without the principle actors.

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated.
 
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