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Hi! I'm John Nguyen.
And for this episode we're going to switch it up a little bit. Instead of fight scenes,
we're going to focus on props.
Which can be just as important for action movies.
And we've got a special treat for you: Jeff's got a mic, so he can contribute.
-Ah-wika-wika-wika-wika-wika-hey! -That wasn't in the script.
Ah-jiggity-wiggity-***! For all you suckas-out there---
Oh my god....
....oh my g.......
I'm sorry....I'm sorry.... *gunshot*
Cut.
Props and costumes are like set design for the character.
You're not supposed to focus on it, but the whole time it's adding authenticity to the character.
I'm going to show you a basic kit that I think every action director should have.
No matter what the genre you're filming, some of these items can be used in so many ways.
So what's my idea of a basic kit?
Number one is obvious: a knife.
I like the retractable knives you can get at costume shops, because you can
get a switchblade effect out of them.
I got that for about three dollars. What's number two? Gloves.
No gloves, means play.
Gloves with fingers, means business.
Fingerless gloves?
Means thug.
Or homeless.
Number three: guns. Now, everyone knows about airsoft guns by now, but which
do you choose? A long gun?
Or a pistol?
If you can afford both you get both. But if you have to choose, I say get the handgun.
There's more personality behind it. And props are meant to support the character.
There's just more of a story behind the hand gun.
And..and...they're smaller so it's a lot easier to sneak them around----wow, really? Cut.
Now, one of the hardest things for a micro-budget filmmaker to do is getting the props.
I'm going to show you where to get them for cheap
of make your own.
They can look pretty good if you do it right.
Got swords, hooks.
Passports, grenades.
Baseball bats, handcuffs.
(laughter)
Number three we didn't have time to film in,
but it was going to be cheap places like Target
where you can get toys like these
and turn them into toys like these.
Some spray paint and time is all it takes.
Take some time though and put some dedication into it because with bad paint jobs---
On an indie set you're always worried about three things when it comes to equipment and props:
Inexpensive, Reliability, Ease of Use. If you're watching this, you'll probably want inexpensive.
Between the other two, I would choose inexpensive and I'll tell you why--- -Hey hey hey!
You know why you buy cheap?
Cuz you po'.
-You know how hard it was to get a mic for you?! -You don't wear a Rolex! You don't wear a Rolex!
You wear a Po'lex.
Take 39.
You might be asking, "How do you make cheap props look real?" One way is
you just gotta have talent who know what they're doing.
Two, I see too many indie directors focusing too much on the props sometimes.
In my opinion, you might want to focus
less on the prop and more on the character and let the props augment the character by themselves.
So I hope this helped you get props cheaply
and quickly for your films.
You might want to just take a stroll down the toy aisles.
I've done it, it's actually a lot of fun and can be inspirational.
Just always make sure you're getting props to complement your story and not the other way around. Like we're about to do.
Cut.
(guffaws)
I have to apologize, old chap, for being late.
The help simply forgot to gas up my solid gold Leer jet! (guffaws) -Indubitably, indubitably.
Please, tell me,
how are your stocks doing?
Quite exquisite, my friend.
And how are your dividends?
Why, I've traded in my dividends, for diamonds!
(guffaws)
To poor people!
To poor people! (guffaws)
I am the police!
You fight like a girl.