Had a client demand a 'period-accurate' 1980s answering machine prop for a shoot tomorrow, and the only one I could find locally in Phoenix cost me $75 from a collector who knew exactly how desperate I was.

Spent three hours after buying it carefully aging a brand new cassette tape to look used, only for the director to say on set 'Actually, let's just have them check their voicemail on a smartphone instead.'

2 comments

2 Comments

lewis.diana8d ago

That's the worst feeling, when you put in all that careful work and it gets tossed aside for the easiest option. It feels like there's this constant push for things to look perfect and real right up until the moment it's actually needed, then it's all about what's fastest. I see it everywhere now, not just with props. People want the idea of something authentic, the story of it, but not the actual hassle that comes with it. It makes all that effort feel pretty pointless sometimes.

schmidt.grant8d ago

Exactly, it's like authenticity is just another prop to rent for the weekend.