Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1536054
6 PROP CULTURE I SUMMER 2025 WHAT PROP SITUATION WENT WRONG ON A SHOW AND HOW DID YOU SOLVE IT? ZAC PARASKEVA – LOS ANGELES On the comedy Summer of '69, there is a scene where two featured background actors play maniacs wielding chainsaws modified with sex toys. When two female actors showed up, it was apparent for the joke to work that the director wanted men. My assistant and I both happened to fit the stature of the role and, since we had created the props and knew the perfect way to operate the sex toy chainsaws, it made us the only option at the moment without adding days to the schedule. KEVIN LADSON – ATLANTA, GEORGIA On the film Crooklyn, there is a scene where the young protagonist is gifted a pair of jade elephant earrings that she then wears for a large portion of the film. We were getting ready to film the scene in which she receives the earrings, and my Property Assistants discovered that we didn't have them. We were filming out of state at this time, and the earrings had been left on a set in New York! There was no way to get them to us in time. Using gluesticks and a jewelry repair kit from my trailer, I hand-carved the elephants and painted them green to match the jade. We presented the earrings to set as if nothing happened—and no one noticed! I still have the gluestick earrings to this day. MONICA JACOBS – NEW YORK For the movie Babygirl with the budget we had, I could afford only one taxidermy skunk that was already made. Nicole Kidman had to scoop it out of a pool. I had different wires, monofilament, balloons, etc. I did a test in a bucket of water, and to my delight, the skunk was floating on its own! So, when filming began, what I hadn't accounted for was the effect on the skunk of hanging out in warm pool water. The skunk started falling apart at the seams before our eyes. My wardrobe friends helped me and my team sew back paws and the tail multiple times. But with everyone pitching in, it ended up looking beautiful (and sad) on camera. Teamwork! OWEN HARRISON – LONDON, ENGLAND While working on Judy, we had a scene with a young Judy having a birthday cake. There had only been two real cakes provided and a third made of polystyrene. As you can guess, two wasn't enough! My colleague Stu and I, while on the side of the set they were filming on, had to cut into the polystyrene cake and replace the removed section with real sponge cake. All whilst only having torches to see what we were doing! Somehow it worked, and it all went well in the end! OWEN HARRISON MONICA JACOBS ZAC PARASKEVA KEVIN LADSON ASK THE EXPERTS –The PMG Membership Committee many projects and the importance of a strong relationship between the Property Master and Assistant Property Master. We also go over the benefits of having mentors to be able to come up under. April 1 - Communication Between a Property Master and a 1st Assistant Director We sit down with DGA 1st Assistant Director Ross Novie to discuss the importance of clear communication when it comes to scheduling, planning safety on set when it comes to stunts with props, and creating a healthy environment for the whole crew where departments can CATCH UP WITH PROP TALK PODCAST March 4 - How to Prop a TV Show From Start to Finish We sit down with PMG Property Master Sarah Snyder for a topical episode where we break down the steps of being a Property Master on a TV show. We review everything from getting the call for the job, budgeting, and breaking down the script to how you crew up a property team. March 18 - A Property Master and Their Key On-Set Props PMG Property Master Robbie Duncan and Key On-Set Assistant Property Master Butch Kitchen discuss their experience working together on A Black Lady Sketch Show, PMG Property Master Todd Daniels have the time they need to do their work efficiently. April 15 - The Masters of Sketch Comedy On this episode of Prop Talk, we sit down with PMG Property Masters Jon Buchanan and Todd Daniels to discuss the art of property-mastering comedy TV shows and specifically creating props that can be the punchline to a joke when scripts are fluid and changing.after taking a 10-year hiatus from the industry. Hosted by PMG Property Masters Chris Call and Mikey Trudel with occasional special guest hosts