20240329 Suddenly screen-accurate

 When it comes to props (aka theatrical property) there are some terms to describe them which I am wary about. Perhaps it is industry speak which by their labels indicates the origin of the prop. If you want to know more about these terms, showreelrelics.com has a much better explanation. Some props comes with COA and other forms of documentation, which increases their authenticity. But, in some reports, even authentic props were discovered (too late) to be not what it was. Below are the two terms I've often encounter but there are more here, from OriginalProp.com.

Screen Used

 Let's look at this term. It is basically saying that the prop appeared on the screen. But the question is, how can this be proven? In real life, actual props are quite rough so they do have 'tells' or unique markings which would identify them. These props can be a Hero, stunt or background props. And it can be made easier if that was a one of a kind prop. On the Internet, most have preferred to use the term, "screen matched" instead.

 One of the more reliable source to determine its authenticity is to trawl through prop Forums such as TheRPF, which is still going strong. Through the search, one can gleam information such as their history, unique anecdotes and methods to verify the prop.

Screen Accurate

 This is a much more interesting term. This applies to a prop replicas which, if held against the screen, matches in every detail. So, you would see this term often when its about the replica's accuracy, especially when the main intention is to sell it. This is also the time where each detail would be 'defended' and speculated, and everyone learns from it. I mean EVERYONE from makers to recasters to sellers to customers to... well, you get the picture.

 Apart from the tells and painting and details, there is another factor which makes screen accurate props more authentic, and sometimes, to the point of being an original prop. And this happens when the production or prop makers decide to use readily available, commercial replicas of the prop. It can be a scale model kit or a toy.

 The thing is, this has been happening for quite some time. For example, Star Trek uses scale model kits of the Enterprise while Doctor Who does the same with their Sonic Screwdrivers. . Imagine you waking up one morning to realise one of your toys is a screen accurate item. However, you won't get much out of it because everyone else who has it, has the same screen accurate item.

Using commercial replicas

 Propmakers are often under pressure to deliver a working props within budget and on time. But what happens if the production needs a hundred or two of the working props? They have to plan on how many would be Heros, stunts or even background props. I think, any number more than two or three is enough to be considered a problem. And this is where the idea of using toys or scale models come in to play.

Ghostbusters

 So, yeah, for Ghostbusters: Afterlife which needs 198 ghost traps, they went shopping at Wal-Mart. And I am sure, overnight, everyone who has one, would be overjoyed that their toy suddenly became, "screen-accurate". (I have yet to have one myself and I am sure, I will be able to come across one, or two.)

 

 

 In Ghosbusters: Frozen Empire, thanks to Adam Savage, who revealed that the prop masters actually used a Haslab Proton Pack! So, what does this all mean? The Wal-Mart Ghost Traps and Haslab's Proton Packs are now screen-accurate items. So, when (eventually) I open my Haslab pack, it is already a screen used props sans weathering, I guess

The shell (top) and the cyclotron are from Haslab.