Collecting Props and Costumes by Ryce

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Collecting Props and Costumes

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POSTED BY: RYCE
UPDATED: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 18:22
SHORT URL: http://bit.ly/jlyvcG
VIEWED: 5388
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Friday, May 27, 2011 4:58 PM

Hey all!

I'm a first year museology grad student (that's museum studies), and my thesis is on collections management issues of television and movie props and costumes, specifically of science fiction props and costumes. Part of my research is to find out why shiny people like us like to collect props and costumes from the big/little screen.

So, if you will indulge me (and probably in several months again with a more formal questionnaire), why do you like to collect props and costumes?

Thanks everyone!!!

No power in the 'verse can stop me!

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Friday, May 27, 2011 8:50 PM

PENNAUSAMIKE

Here is my collection thread, now 5 pages long.
http://fireflydvd.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3541
Read through this and you should get some idea of the enjoyment, challenges and satisfaction I derive from building and collecting Firefly/Serenity props.

Mike

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Sunday, May 29, 2011 1:54 AM

LWAVES

Quote:
Originally posted by pennausamike:
Here is my collection thread, now 5 pages long.
http://fireflydvd.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3541
Read through this and you should get some idea of the enjoyment, challenges and satisfaction I derive from building and collecting Firefly/Serenity props.

Mike

That's an extremely impressive collection Mike that makes me quite jealous. Nice photos of the pieces in their WIP stages.

I personally don't bother with collecting costumes as they don't interest me in the same way other props do. I go for 1:1 scale replicas and paper props. I'll get them premade (I haven't got time to do it myself) from any material - resin moulds, metal, plastic and I'm not too fussy about it being perfectly accurate either. As long as it looks the part then I'm okay with it. Some folks like things to be perfectly accurate, and I can understand that, but it's not me. The paper props I do sometimes myself and I would like to spend more time on it but currently it's time I don't have.

From Firefly/Serenity I have:
Mal's pistol (unfinished), the Ariel ID's, River's photo from Bushwacked, River's Reaver sword and axe from Serenity, Jayne's pistol that River takes from him, some money and other smaller items plus a lot of WIP items.
My collection encompasses pretty much any film or show I like, especially scifi/supernatural/fantasy like Buffy, X-Files, Lost, Stargates, Star Wars, original Trek, B5, Doctor Who, Fringe, Supernatural, LOTR etc.

I would be happy to answer more direct questions for you and fill in a questionnaire.

"The greatest invention ever is not the wheel. It's the second wheel." - Rich Hall

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Sunday, May 29, 2011 10:09 AM

OPPYH

I can't speak about Firefly/Serenity props, because I don't have any. However I did buy a few from the famous 'Fox Auction' after Buffy went off the air.
I made sure that all the props I bought were 'screen used' in an episode.
From season 5 I have the phone that was used in "The Body".

I also have props from season 2, and 3.

I think in answer to your question, collecting merchandise(especially props) from a show you are passionate about makes you feel as though you were part of it in some way. Not only being a huge fan, owning a set piece brings you closer to the show than those that just simply watch, and enjoy it.
I own so much Buffy merchandise it is kind of weird, unless I'm showing my stuff to a fellow Buffy fanatic, then it is "cool".

----------------------------------------------------------------

70's TV FOREVER

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Sunday, May 29, 2011 11:07 AM

RYCE

Thanks everyone for your replies so far!

No power in the 'verse can stop me!

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Sunday, May 29, 2011 11:33 PM

LWAVES

Quote:
Originally posted by OPPYH:
However I did buy a few from the famous 'Fox Auction' after Buffy went off the air.
I made sure that all the props I bought were 'screen used' in an episode.
From season 5 I have the phone that was used in "The Body".

I also have props from season 2, and 3.

My only screen used Whedonverse item is from Buffy and when I saw it I just couldn't resist.
It's one of the knives that is given to Faith as a present from the Mayor. Taken from Gil Hibben's 'Jackal' knife it looks really cool. The only slight downside (but not a problem to me) is that I can't place exactly which scenes/shots mine was in. The COA just states various background and establishing scenes. So I think it was used somewhere inbetween the stunt knifes and the hero knives that would used in all the closeups.

Quote:

I think in answer to your question, collecting merchandise(especially props) from a show you are passionate about makes you feel as though you were part of it in some way. Not only being a huge fan, owning a set piece brings you closer to the show than those that just simply watch, and enjoy it.
I own so much Buffy merchandise it is kind of weird, unless I'm showing my stuff to a fellow Buffy fanatic, then it is "cool".

I was going to say exactly this in my post but then I....err....didn't.
I fully agree that it is about going beyond just watching and owning the DVDs etc. It is about owning a part of the show. This is even more the case if you get screen used props because then it could be the case that your fave character or actor has used the item. I'm not intending this to sound in a creepy, stalkery way but it does add that special something to a collection, it does bring you a little bit closer to the show and is a reminder of your feelings for that show, even if it long finished.
Plus if you know other fans of the show it is definitely cool to show the items off. Seeing their faces can be a big part of the enjoyment.

"The greatest invention ever is not the wheel. It's the second wheel." - Rich Hall

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Monday, May 30, 2011 2:38 AM

MICJWELCH

Watching a show can be a very immersive experience, but it's not quite like actually holding something in your hand. Then it's tangible. It's real.

Props are also a way to tell the rest of the world about your love for the show. It connects us to the rest of the fandom.

I put on my entire Jayne gear at Starfest this year. It made it easy to find the other Browncoats at the convention. But my favorite moment was when someone walked past me and said, "That hat makes you look like an idiot." I nearly died laughing.

"Always be yourself. Unless You suck." - Joss Whedon

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Tuesday, May 31, 2011 8:52 PM

RYCE

You all are awesome! As a fan, I completely agree with everything you said, especially about feeing closer to a show. I'm turning in my first draft in a couple of days, then I'll bug you all again over the summer/fall with more precise questions

No power in the 'verse can stop me!

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Tuesday, May 31, 2011 11:07 PM

LWAVES

Quote:
Originally posted by Ryce:
You all are awesome! As a fan, I completely agree with everything you said, especially about feeing closer to a show. I'm turning in my first draft in a couple of days, then I'll bug you all again over the summer/fall with more precise questions

No power in the 'verse can stop me!

You feel like posting it here?
I'd be curious to read it and I'm sure others would as well. I understand if you don't want to but it would give you a free and varied critique of the piece.
It seems like the type of article Haken has been talking about recently in another thread.

"The greatest invention ever is not the wheel. It's the second wheel." - Rich Hall

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Wednesday, June 1, 2011 6:22 PM

RYCE

The honor you do me flatters my...my honor!

I would love to post my thesis here, but just not yet. This was the barest of bones of first drafts, but once things get more concrete and I actually collect some data, I'll share it to anyone who wants. Fortunately, I have one more year to get it going and finish it up.

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