Key insights

• ⚙️ Prop makers innovate solutions to create silent props for film and TV scenes to eliminate sound distractions from everyday objects.
• 🔧 Simple modifications like adding drum mutes and creative experimentation with materials are used to achieve quiet props.
• 🎱 Swapping real pool balls with softer racquetballs and painting them for a movie scene resulted in better sound and realistic visuals.
• 📽️ Real balls were used for shots where actors hit the ball, while fake ones were used for close-up scenes to capture dialogue without sound disturbances.
• 🛍️ Prop masters modify real props like paper bags using water and glycerin to temporarily reduce sound and prevent deterioration.
• 🔊 Durable alternatives using fibrous nonwoven fabric are developed to replicate the appearance of real paper bags, providing a quiet and lasting solution for film props.
• 🧊 Different types of fake ice cubes, such as plastic and completely silent silicone ones, are used in TV and movie scenes to avoid unwanted sound.
• 🎬 Prop makers carefully select silent materials like vinyl to create realistic sounds and eliminate unnecessary noise from objects in movie scenes.

Q&A

• How do prop makers use materials like vinyl to make movie scenes more realistic?

  Prop makers use vinyl to create fake crackling sounds and silent materials for noisy objects in movie scenes. They carefully choose materials like transparent vinyl to replicate noisy objects such as cellophane. Depending on the object, multiple layers of silent materials may be used to effectively eliminate any unnecessary noise, thus enhancing the realism of the scenes.

• What are fake ice cubes used for in TV shows and movies?

  Fake ice cubes are used in TV shows and movies to avoid unwanted sound. They come in different types like plastic and silicone, with silicone cubes being completely silent. This enables background actors to move the cubes without worrying about sound, and they look convincing in a glass.

• In what way were real pool balls modified to reduce noise in a movie scene?

  The sound of real pool balls was too noisy for a movie scene, so the movie crew swapped them with racquetballs, which were softer and produced a better sound. The racquetballs were painted to look like the real ones. Real balls were used for shots where the actors hit the ball, and fake ones for close-up scenes to capture dialogue.

• How were silent props like paper bags developed to solve sound distractions?

  Prop maker Tim Schultz developed a silent prop paper bag using water and glycerin to dampen and hold them together temporarily. He also created a durable alternative using fibrous nonwoven fabric, similar to coffee filters, wrapped around a mold, glued, and folded by hand to replicate the look of real bags.

• What is the purpose of creating silent props for film and TV?

  The purpose of creating silent props for film and TV is to ensure that everyday objects used in scenes not only look appropriate but also produce the desired sound without causing distractions. Prop makers innovate to solve sound problems by modifying or experimenting with materials to blend into scenes seamlessly.

• 00:00 Prop makers innovate to solve sound problems by creating silent props for film and TV. Everyday objects need to look and sound appropriate in scenes. Solutions range from simple modifications to creative experimentation.
• 01:17 The sound of real pool balls was too noisy for a movie scene, so the movie crew swapped them with racquetballs and painted them to look real. They used real balls for shots where the actors hit the ball and fake ones for close-up scenes to capture dialogue.
• 02:19 Prop masters modify real props like paper bags to reduce sound, using water and glycerin to dampen and hold them together temporarily.
• 03:17 Schultz developed a durable alternative to handle bags using fibrous nonwoven fabric, similar to coffee filters. The fabric is wrapped around a mold, glued, and folded by hand to replicate the look of real bags. It can also be used for other paper products and handheld props in film scenes.
• 04:24 Fake ice cubes are used in TV shows and movies to avoid unwanted sound, and they come in different types like plastic and silicone, with silicone cubes being completely silent.
• 05:35 Prop makers use vinyl to create fake crackling sounds and silent materials for noisy objects in movie scenes. They carefully choose materials to make scenes more realistic without unnecessary noise.