Prop Appreciation

Case binding tutorial

2011-08-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

For those of you thinking about making a hardcover book (i know i am) there are some excellent videos up online by Sage Reynolds.

Harry Potter: Advanced Potion-Making

2011-08-06T02:42:00.000-07:00

Severus Snape's copy of Advanced Potion-Making from Harry Potter and the half blood prince is an absolute work of art.

The first time i saw this on screen in the theater it captured me.

Firstly; the illustration on the front takes me back to every text-book we had kicking around in high school, which gives it an essence of reality. But it also has such a mystical flavor created by the composition of that wacky geometric background and the runes/symbols in the cauldron smoke.

What astounded me the most and what really gives this prop it's flavor is the foil used on the cover. Not only is it applied in just the right amount (remember you pay by the millimeter for foil in the real world) it is also aged so nicely. The way you would expect to find the foil lettering of a fabric hard-cover text book which has been floating around the school for generations.

Details
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
- Title: Libatius Borage's Advanced Potion Making
- apx 130mm, 220cm, 25mm
- apx 200 pages?
- Fabric hardcover (2 colour black+silver screen print?)
- Casebound.
- Silver page edging.
- Cover Type: Clarendon Bold Condensed
- Text Type: Georgia / Century Schoolbook

Possible contributors:
Ossie Merchant: props
Sonny Merchant: props, second unit
Miraphora Mina: props concept artist
Steven Morris: props

If anyone has any idea who worked on this fine piece of craftsmanship, please leave a comment. I'd love for them to get the credit they deserve.
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Indiana Jones: The Grail Diary

2009-09-25T02:46:00.000-07:00

Henry Jones Snr had a dream to find the 'Cup of Christ' and in an effort to solve the puzzle he had kept a diary of his discovery's throughout his whole life. (Sounds like a prop-makers dream.)

It was Keir Lusby who undertook the task and created one of the most memorable props in modern movie history.

Details:
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
- apx 6.5", 4.25", 1.5"
- brown cow leather cover.
- Black stitched elastic band (wrapped vertically.)
- Circa 1899-1938 (It's old!)

Creators:
Keir Lusby

After painstakingly scrubbing through frames from 'the last crusade' i've decided that this has to be the most accurate and detailed replica of the grail diary i've seen online. An amazing piece of work.
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Indiana Jones: Reading Glasses

2009-08-31T03:39:00.000-07:00

All scholars study and at some stage end up with bad eyesight, even the adventurous archaeologist types. So it's no surprise that the heroic Dr Jones needs reading glasses when he's hitting the books.

Details
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
“The original glasses frames were made in London, England by Algha Group and are distributed by Berkshire Chase. They are the Model Beaufort P3, Chestnut with yellow gold and metal (zyl) rims, filled with 14K yellow gold.” ref: framesdirectblog.com

Currently available as:
Savile Row Panto Beaufort 14kt eyeglasses in Chestnut.
English Beaufort 2 eyeglasses in Chestnut Acetate front with gold cable temples.

Yes, it's a costume not a prop but I thought I would start this blog with something easy.
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