Children's TV

Children's TV is a great industry to get into because, with every year a new generation is born so a TV show like Teletubbies or the Tweenies can be repeated for years before the audience looses interest.

When the production of teletubbies finished they had 367 episodes, which was enough to have it running all year round, and with new audiences being born, it never got old.
With the characters being played by puppets or in costume, the actors were replaceable also meaning they could run for a longer time.

Recently (in the past 5 years) Childrens tv have adopted a new audience, pre-teens and teenagers and sometimes even adults too! All the craze over adventure time, a program that spoke to all generations with hidden meanings, a moral code and well thought out characters. 

Half of the profits from children's TV now comes from MERCHANDISE. Children begging for their favorite character in teddy form or model, or children who want a whole bedroom themed by their favorite show!

Advertising with large props

Advertising covers many different media's, some of which are no relevance to the industry that I want to work in but regardless, here are the different types of advertising:

• TV - short video clip, can also circulate on the internet
• a print - posters/flyers/vouchers
• Radio
• Billboards 
• Street advertising - wall paintings, graffiti, building wraps, bus benches/shelters 
• Email- or direct email
• Social media 
• Installation art 

Installation art is often used in oversized advertising, this article shows you some amazing examples of large art used for advertising: "Oversized avertising props are awesome"

 http://thedraftingclub.com/oversized-advertising-props-are-awesome-33-images/

Tipex zebra crossing. no source given.
http://thedraftingclub.com/oversized-advertising-props-are-awesome-33-images/

An artist that often works in this kind of medium is Claus Oldenburg, an american sculptor, well known for his over sized everyday objects installation art. He uses his giant sculptures to draw attraction to places like museums and universities, and sometimes shopping centers too. 

Trowel (1976) Museum Kroller-muller, Otterlo.
http://rijksmuseumamsterdam.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/claes-oldenburg-trowel-i-1976-museum.html

The tool, loosely inserted into the ground, is a common image for nearly everyone, until you realize that this trowel is twelve meters high! The sculpture seems familiar and alien at the same moment, which can have an unsettling effect on the spectator.
Oldenburg created Trowel I, together with his partner Coosje van Bruggen, for an important exhibition of outdoor sculpture in the Netherlands called Sonsbeek. Oldenburg himself declared that he thought the giant trowel, plunged into the earth, was a ‘perfect example of a sculpture with no need for a base.’ by Maarten Levendig

 Here are some other examples of his work: 

Bottle of Notes, in Middlesborough

Bow and arrow, in San Fransisco

Spoonbridge and Cherry, in Minneapolis.

Dropped cone, in Cologne, Germany

Props in the Entertainment Industry

A Prop by definition of the Oxford dictionary:
A portable object, other than furniture or costumes, on the set of a play or film.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/prop

But as there are many different types of props not all of them fit under this one definition, so with guidance of The Prop Building Guide Book for theatre, film, and tv; by Eric Hart, I will explain the different types of props made and used for the entertainment industry.

Hand Props 

Hand props are the same thing as action props but not always held, contrary to the name. 

Thor and Hammer.
http://atomicanxiety.com/2012/05/17/the-avengers-the-thor-reaction/

Hero prop- up close prop. Detail has to be perfect for these, after all we have HD now. e.g. Thor's hammer.

Background prop- only seen in background of scenes and not used or moved. 

Stunt prop- used in stunt/action scenes (safety considerations necessary)

Practical prop- functional props. e.g. lamp, alarm clock 

Dummy prop- opposite of practical prop

Costume prop- an accessory other than clothes. e.g. belt, crown, pocket watch glasses. 

Personal prop- no other cast members see or use it. e.g. a letter. 

Consumable prop- perishables, usually food, cigarettes, fake blood. 

Running prop- e.g. batteries for electricals replaced after so long 

Breakaway prop- broken during the filming. For example; a torn letter. 

Set Props

An object located on the set, usually furniture, also includes rugs, distinct items on walls, floor and ceiling. 

Set for the Mighty Boosh
https://kays.co.uk/listings/set-company

Trim props- items that hang on the walls; curtains, blinds, pictures.
Set dressing- objects placed on set not touching actors. These props are placed to give a sense of place and time. For example; in the image above the clothes on the clothes rack.

Why make rather than buy?

• if a prop needs multiple functions not part of the original shop-bought design.
• doesnt need a function 
• imaginary 
• too expensive to buy 
• larger than life 
• exaggerated perspective