It all seems so logical: A cop in a movie has a gun, a badge and handcuffs on him, while and archeologist with a need to go adventuring carries a whip and a cool hat on his head. But what you may not realize, is that movies have whole teams of people working on getting these items, or props, on the set so they can be used. Tommy Tomlinson is one of Hollywood's most renowned property master, which an amazing list of movies he has worked for: Beverly Hills Cop, Die Hard, Predator, The Rock, Snakes on a Plane and many other movies wouldn't have been the same without Tommy Tomlinson and his ability to find the right props.
Q: Can you explain briefly for my readers what it is a property master does?
A: A prop is anything that an actor touches , uses, or is an accessory to wardrobe. We supply all personal items for the characters in the film: Watches, rings, eye glasses, sunglasses, wallets, luggage, cameras, etc. For police films the costume department dresses the actors in costume, we supply gun belts, badges, guns, pens, clipboards, etc. There is always an overlap with the set dressing department. For instance they supply dressing for restaurants, we do the food, drinks, condiments for drinks, straws, napkins, etc.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
A: My family has always been in the business. I read scripts when I was young instead of comic books. My cousin worked on the old Twilight Zone TV series and I would read all of the shows he worked on. When the opportunity came to get into the business I jumped at the chance. I started my career as a set dresser on the old SWAT TV series. I then moved over to MTM Productions working on all the 3-camera shows such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, Bob Newhart, Phyllis. I then met a Prop Master named Horst Grandt who was
looking for a new Asst. Prop Master. I worked with Horst for 5 years learning the craft as a Prop Master. My first show on my own was "Tarzan the ape man" with Bo Derek.
Q: As a property master you have to work closely with the director of the movie. Do you have a lot of personal input when it comes to choosing which props to use?
A: Yes we always have input as to how to build props. The designer always designs for looks, not in how to make it work. We sometimes have to change designs to make them work. It is always easier to design from the inside out than visa-versa.
Q: Which movie was the most fun for you to work on?
A: I think the most fun I have had on a film is the recently completed Farrelly Brothers film "The Heartbreak Kid" I had heard that their films are like no other, and I can't agree more. It was such a family atmosphere. They love all kinds of input from everyone. It was great
Q: Do you prefer working on smaller movies, or on bigger movies?
A: Big or small, they all present different problems!
Q: Is there a movie genre you like working on the most?
A: I do like working on comedies, you need to really be prepared to go in all kinds of directions when you prep the movie. Much more that dramas and action films which are
pretty straightforward.
Q: Have you ever gotten any requests for a certain prop from a director that you thought was going to be impossible to get, but which you were able to find anyway?
A: While we were shooting DieHard John Mctiernen decided that in the scene we were playing in the limo, with the driver, he should be drinking out of airline booze bottles instead of the decanters in the car. We are filming nights and it is 2:00 a.m. when he comes up with this idea. All the liquor stores close no later then 1:30 am. I had to call a friend whose uncle owned a liquor store in Venice CA to see if he could open the store for me. Took 1 1/2 hours, but I got the bottles!
Q: Where do you acquire the props you use in a movie from? Are there special shops you go to, or do you have special addresses?
A: We either rent, buy, manufacture, brower, or steal everything. The biggest rental house in LA is ISS, which is Independent Studio Services. Check out their web site, they can handle anything!
Q: One of the first movies you worked on, Beverly Hills Cop, is one of my all time favorite movies. Can you tell me a little bit about what it was like to work on that movie?
A: Funny thing about Beverly Hills Cop. It started out as a drama starring Sylvester Stallone. The kid killed was his brother and he comes to LA to avenge his death. Stallone then had differences with the director, Marty Brest, and left the film. Eddie was just coming off the movie, I think it was Trading Places for Paramount. The studio decided to put Eddie in the movie and make it a dramady. The pretty much wrote the scenes the day of filming, all with Eddie's input. Quite interesting to work that way.
Q: If the readers on my site have read this interview and think to themselves: this sounds like a job for me! What advice would you give them?
A: If anyone is interested in getting into film, I would suggest going to a film school and getting either into camera or sound. A lot less headaches and a lot more money!
To check out Tommy Tomlinson's full filmography, head on over to his page on the IMDB.
No man or woman is worth your tears,and the one who is ,won't make you cry.Do you understand?
Posted by: New Balance Sneakers | August 05, 2010 at 03:04 AM
Big or small, they all present different problems! This is nicely answered !
Posted by: eMoneyMakingOnline.COM | January 19, 2011 at 06:04 AM