The Early Office Museum has an amazing amount of information concerning all the props and accoutrements of offices going all the way back to the sixteenth century.
What the World Eats is a project by photographer Peter Menzel which documents what families throughout the world eat in an average week. It’s helpful if you ever need to set dress a kitchen in say, Japan. It is also a book: Hungry Planet: What the World Eats
Here are some more links for your pre-weekend perusement.
Ever think your prop shop is too poorly-equipped to make anything well? Here’s the story (actually, a long review of a book) about a Malawian teenager who built a windmill out of scrap parts and garbage to provide electricity for his village.
It’s been a busy week, and it’s going to be a busy month. Here’s another quick list of links I wanted to share, until I can find time to write something for reals.
Jesse Gaffney, a freelance props master in Chicago, has a new blog. Theatre Projects details the process behind some of his more challenging props projects. I’ve also added a link to the blogroll column on the side.
Art of Manliness has a wonderfully illustrated article on the various types of hammers and how to use them. And if you’ve never been to the Art of Manliness before, take some time to look around; there’s a large archive of articles and forums to explore.
Popular Woodworking magazine has posted 3D models of some of the projects featured in their magazine. I don’t know if any of you props people ever use 3D to help you build, but if so, this is a great repository of early American furniture and workbenches.
Finally, if you have time, watch The Story of Stuff. It’s a 20 minute film showing how products go from raw materials to the store. It examines the social, environmental, and political aspects of production and consumption, but it’s also interesting for props people who are interested in objects and where they come from.
Just a reminder that the first ever New York City props summit is today at the Public Theatre from 6-9pm. Send me or Jay Duckworth a message if you want to join us.
IATSE Local 470 in Wisconsin has their stagehand primer online. The section on props gives a definition of props, purpose of props, and types of props. Though locals differ throughout the country, this is a good general guide of what a union props person does.
Making and finding props for theatre, film, and hobbies
