What's the best way to prop a film?

Epsilon · Post by **Epsilon** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:13 am

Hey guys! This is my first post so I am gonna see how this goes.

Does anybody have a good suggestion to making cheap, yet realistic props?

For example, I have been planning to make a Vietnam War picture next summer. Unfortunately, costs seem to stack up quite nicely. Anyone have a good idea on designing clothing and building costumes from scratch? Or should I just stick with the high prices of buying them and go for the realism?

I figure you guys might have some good ideas.

foxwood · Post by **foxwood** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:15 am

well first off you can hit the thrift stores, and the VFW stores, they tend to have old stuff for rather cheep, or you can just build it on your own which can be cheep, you just have to have the skill.

Solomon Cloud · Post by **Solomon Cloud** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:38 am

I'd say army surplus stores are the way to go.

I used to get a load of army stuff for under 100 bucks.

Epsilon · Post by **Epsilon** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:38 am

i guess then the real trial is if it will pass as real in eyes of the camera...

so, what exactly is a VFW store?
never heard of one... or perhaps I just don't get out much.

Solomon Cloud · Post by **Solomon Cloud** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:40 am

VFW is basicly an orginazation of veterens and stuff, they sell things and all that sometimes.

U.S.Amateurfilmaker · Post by **U.S.Amateurfilmaker** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:44 am

I've always wnated to make a special ops fim, but I don't think there is a surplus store by me though...Oh well

Epsilon · Post by **Epsilon** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:56 am

a couple of surplus stores are around me, but they really jack up the prices and seem to only focus on paintball. Most of these guys want around $25 for a used BDU, that's crazy!
From what i hear, army enlistees pay around $5 for a new one.

Vietnam era uniforms can sell pretty high, thats why I was looking at maybe making them from scratch. Like just buy a roll of green fabric or something likewise.

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 5:09 am

My advice is to scrounge, beg and make as much as you can. Then spend some money. Also weigh up the cost of buying the prop to the cost of making the prop. There may be sometimes little difference

Epsilon · Post by **Epsilon** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 5:11 am

beg, huh?

say Grant..... got some extra cash on you?

[Edited on 9/24/2003 by Epsilon]

foxwood · Post by **foxwood** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 12:07 pm

if you have an open Army base near you they would have a good cheep thrift store, but since 9/11 most of them have been locked down. the VFO for cleification is the veterans of forgen wars. Also if you have them in your area hit gun shows they have some good stuff. But if you want to make them go out and buy one par of real stuff and disect it into a patern, or go online and look for a patern for a Nam eara uniform.

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:01 pm

Epsilon, of you were in Australia then maybe

2nd_Recon · Post by **2nd_Recon** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:24 pm

I still think that the Surplus store is the way to go. And for guns, fake it if at all possible. We spent $20-$30 on about 10 handguns by buying at the toy store and spray painting 'em black

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:38 pm

Actually over here in OZ, Army Surplus supplies are really expensive now.

2nd_Recon · Post by **2nd_Recon** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:56 pm

You can't sell army surpluss stuff for expensive because it's already seen combat. It must be the OZs surpluss stores are sellign counterfeit used stuff:P

foxwood · Post by **foxwood** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 3:09 pm

just because it is surplus doesn't mean it has seen combat, more then likly it sat in a box for fifty years. And as long as dumb people pay $20 for a BDU jacket then the price will stay there.

El Brenty · Post by **El Brenty** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 4:56 pm

Charity shops often have loads of army clothing! Good if you can find some there, because it's cheap, cheap, cheap!

Here's an idea:

Advertise locally for the bits you need, and donate them to charity afterwards. In the advert say they are for filming, and charity afterwards!

foxwood · Post by **foxwood** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 5:10 pm

Or ask for things that could be put on lone, as well, people always have cr** to give away.

Epsilon · Post by **Epsilon** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 2:25 am

Thanks for the ideas, guys. Charity shops might be a good place to salvage some clothing. Although goodwill stores sometimes have really cheap items. I'll have to stop by.

As for the military bases, yeah they are all kinda restricted. But if I need some shots of some fighter airplanes, hey this is a great place if anyone lives nearby...
Just hang out a little southwest of Las Vegas. Nellis Air Force Base is right there, and they take off all sorts of military aircraft 24 hours a day for pilot training. As long as you've got a decent zooms and a steady hand, it's worth to camp out there with a camera. Plus it is practically in the middle of desert land, so really no extra noise gets in the way. Just be wary you don't look like a threat. It is pretty cool to watch a trio of apaches flying 50 feet off the ground right beside you!

foxwood · Post by **foxwood** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 2:29 am

I bet. If you know somebody in the military have them go through a base thrift store, you would be amazed at the stuff that they can find.

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 2:38 am

Yeah I have found heaps of bits and pieces in what we call he Op Shops

Epsilon · Post by **Epsilon** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 2:43 am

there are two twin brothers I know somewhat well, they are in the marines. However, since I haven't heard of them lately, I get the feeling they might be stationed in Iraq. But if I could ask them, I would.

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 2:47 am

Yeah ex-servicemen should have a something hanging around. Maybe place a add or put up posters asking for any unwanted surplus gear

Epsilon · Post by **Epsilon** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 5:08 am

Actually ex-servicemen have lots of good information for military references. Ie. How to spins the rifle, make a pup tent from scratch, interrogate the enemy... But I couldn't find any veteran willing to part with any of their belongings, not even for a day. It's painful for them!

I have found that every relative of mine that has served in the military got rid of everything that reminded them of the war. Unfortunately

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 5:14 am

yeah go for it

2nd_Recon · Post by **2nd_Recon** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 12:57 pm

Originally posted by Epsilon
I have found that every relative of mine that has served in the military got rid of everything that reminded them of the war. Unfortunately

my grandfather threw out all his medals when he got home, including the coveted Purple Heart! The one medal no one enjoys earning