Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1533885
6 PROP CULTURE I SPRING 2025 WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE PROP THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO MAKE? DAVE CHAMERSKI – CHICAGO, IL Santa's music box from Miracle on 34th Street is my most memorable prop. I searched extensively, even flying to Illinois, for a box to hold a wind-up music box. Finally, a 1920's gold powder box with very intricate etching on it at Goldsmiths Jewelry proved perfect. John Hughes approved, and Reuge music boxes provided a music box small enough to fit inside. Goldsmiths crafted a matching interior to make it look like it belonged with the music box, and we added a beveled mirror so when filming, you can see both Santa and the music box at the same time. I was very proud of the result, which we ultimately gave to Sir Richard Attenborough. NICK KOMORNICKI – AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND I had just started my career in the film industry, working under Simon Atherton on Gladiator. In the workshop, I was involved in crafting Roman Legion weapons when Simon tasked me with creating background weapons. The first of these was a spiked ball-and-chain weapon, primarily intended for set dressing. I eagerly threw myself into the project, crafting several versions in different materials to ensure they were ready if needed. Since I didn't get to work on location in Morocco, I wasn't sure if my creations had made it into the movie. That uncertainty lingered until the cast and crew screening. Sitting in the theater, watching this extraordinary film, the moment arrived: The camera panned to the opposing gladiators in the arena. There it was, my ball and chain, being wielded in the very first fight sequence! That moment was utterly surreal. Even now, 27 years later, I feel the same excitement every time I see one of my props brought to life onscreen. JACKIE WERTZ – NEW YORK, NY One of my most unforgettable experiences from Pretty Little Liars: Summer School Season 2, was designing and crafting the iconic bloody rose hero mask. Bringing my creative vision to life onscreen was truly exhilarating. While we created around 35 custom masks for the show, this one stood out as a masterpiece that beautifully blended artistry with storytelling. I am still excited to bring more creative tasks to life. LYNDA CHAPPLE – VANCOUVER, CANADA I had the incredible opportunity to work as the Property Master on the TV series DC's Legends of Tomorrow for six of its seven seasons. The props I was tasked to design stretched my imagination to places I never thought possible. During Season 3, the show's brilliant executive producers, Phil Klemmer and Marc Guggenheim, wanted me to create a Christmas toy that would evoke the craze of a Tickle Me Elmo or Cabbage Patch doll. The toy was to be called "Beebo." Beebo needed to look authentic and be packaged just like any stuffed doll you'd find in a toy store. Our starting point was a simple, one-line pencil sketch. From there, the challenge began. We sought out the perfect fur, the right color, texture, and tone for Beebo's body. It was also critical Beebo could be animatronic as he would need to speak. We ended up creating several versions, including Animatronic Beebo, Stuffed Beebo, and even Burnt Beebo. Beebo's popularity soared, and he quickly became a fan favorite, leading to the creation of a mascot version for Comic-Con. It's amazing to see how something born from a rough sketch grew into such an iconic and beloved part of the show. LYNDA CHAPPLE JACKIE WERTZ DAVE CHAMERSKI NICK KOMORNICKI ASK THE EXPERTS –The PMG Membership Committee