Props Department? What Props Department?
Things were coming together nicely. My son, Andrew, and I had been hard at work finding everything we needed for the film. We even bought a 1980 United States Postal Service Jeep with the steering wheel on the right to use as Army’s car. It cost us $1,500, but I think I could get more for it if I sold it today!
Even though I wrote the script to be simple and less expensive to shoot, we still had over 100 props and wardrobe to collect. This included a child’s wheelchair, ladies’ size 13 red pumps, a small stage, a bathroom partition (don’t ask!), wigs, a fake gun, hockey sticks, etc. Most of the props and wardrobe we needed we found for free or for just a few bucks at a thrift store (they knew us by name at six different thrift stores in the area!). Some things we had to buy on Amazon. We also needed a large engagement ring, so I bought one, used it for a day shoot, and then returned it the next day. Kinda slimy, I know, but I only did it once.
This is guerrilla filmmaking. You MUST find your props and wardrobe for free or very little cost. You don’t have the funds to buy all that stuff. Honestly, finding all these items and shelling out just a few bucks was one of the most enjoyable parts of pre-production.
We now had everything we needed, except for a crew and a good understanding of what the heck we were doing! How could I build a crew? I didn’t know anybody in filmmaking in town. And even if I did, how could I interview them? It would be like interviewing a heart surgeon. What questions could you ask? I did everything I could without a “film guy”, but I needed him/her now!
Next week we’ll talk about how to attract (and close) a “real” filmmaker to help get your project across the finish line.
Checkout my first feature film, Army & Coop, at: www.armyandcoop.com.