Clothe Me! House Me!

Actors can be so needy sometimes. Expecting you to create a world in which their characters live. Production and Costume Design is where a huge part of our waste goes. Building sets, buying or designing clothes, and decorating locations account for a lot of money and a lot of items that are used only once. Here are some tips to reduce, reuse, and recycle your design items.

1. Craigslist.
It’s my favorite resource. If you’re doing a period piece, Craigslist is a great way to find vintage furniture, artwork, even clothes. It adds to the authenticity of your film. Even if it takes place present day, used furniture gives your pieces a lived-in look. It’s particularly useful if you are in another state where prop houses and picture car rentals are non-existent. On a student film I produced in Oregon called RE:Monday, we offered a guy selling his old Volvo $200 to hold off selling, and letting us use it for a week.


2. Thrift stores and Antique shops.
This is another good resource when shooting out of state. You can often approach antique shops to rent their items for a negotiated fee.

3. Location, Location, Location!
Weigh your options when thinking about how much it would cost to build a set versus paying a day rate for an existing location. Especially in Los Angeles, the location you’re looking for probably already exists somewhere on a stage or an old, abandoned hospital.
Remember to choose your locations wisely. Not only are you saving the earth by choosing practical locations that have most of the production design done for you, but it saves you money, as well. On my thesis film Nagpapanggap, we were able to find a house that could pass for the 1960's. We only needed to take away things like the television, and add a few signature mid century items.



4. Rentals.
This is a pretty obvious choice, but still a good old classic. Their items get a lot of mileage because they are well-taken care of. There are about a hundred listings in the LA411 on where you can rent props and furniture. If you’re a student, don’t forget to ask for a discount. Most of the big places offer one.

5. Mom and Dad's Garage.
If your parents happen to live in the same city as your production, chances are they've got a garage or basement full of goodies. This is a great place to find some finishing touches to your set design. I like to compile a wish list of items I need, then email it to friends and family and see what they're willing to lend or donate to the production. It doesn't hurt to ask, and it's free. Just make sure you're not borrowing a family heirloom, 'cause odds are it will get broken on set.

6. Recycle by donating.
For expensive or stylish costumes, I sell back to places like Wasteland or Crossroads. But for any generic pieces, you can donate them back to the thrift store from which they came.

If you do build a set, donate it when you’re done.
Left over lumber can be donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Contact your local high schools and film schools, and see if their theatre and film departments have any use for flats and purchased props.
Hollywood Cinema Production Resources will accept and pick up sets for donation, as well.