Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1542039
PROPERTYMASTERSGUILD.ORG 31 hosted multiple Property Masters, the work is awarded equally to each of them. New for 2025: The "Presidents Award" honors one Property Master-adjacent individual such as Assistants, Fabricators, Illustrators, Vendor Salespersons, etc., for their remarkable contribution to the craft with a MacGuffin trophy of their own. There is one standout exception in each batch of trophies: an "all-gold" MacGuffin which is reserved for honoring the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Once the run of MacGuffin trophies is complete, marking them in attribution to their eventual recipients introduces its own challenges, as Brad discovered: "We knew that hiring someone to engrave the trophies at the after-party was going to be too cost-prohibitive, and that we didn't want to mail the plaques out after the fact. Lewis came up with the idea of pre-engraving the trophies, and then covering the names with mylar tape with category names printed on it [to preserve secrecy in advance of the ceremony as to who would be taking them home]. The winners simply peel the tape away to reveal their name, along with the winning project title. The winners are known to two people at SAT, one person at SGI [Studio Graphics] who prints the envelopes, and two people on the Awards Committee to make sure it's all done correctly. We are very proud of how we maintain secrecy throughout the process." The creation of the MacGuffin trophy and the eponymous awards program is a case study in the collaborative nature of the Property Master. The use of familiar tools and established relationships allowed the PMG to create something out of nothing (without big Hollywood financial backing to boot). Having completed its second year, the MacGuffin Awards continue to make strides in elevating the craft. Brad remains optimistic on the ripple effects of the program's future: "Hopefully, one day, we will share the Emmy and Oscar stage with the production designers and decorators who, while absolutely deserving of their awards, do not achieve them without our contributions. The MacGuffin Awards program is our way of standing up and recognizing the hard work and artistic contributions that we make. "It's so important to mention that while I get credit for jump-starting this awards program, it has only seen success because of the hard work of the volunteers [and partners] committed to the vision. I brought a page and a half proposal before the Board of Directors, but without the buy-in and help of the Guild and its members, we would still be nowhere on this. Both Theresa Corvino and Lauren Shell were and are so instrumental in starting this program, and keeping it going. Our industry partners, as well as dozens of amazingly talented volunteers are the true backbone of the awards program. I am so grateful, and hopeful that the MacGuffins will continue far, far into the future."