Remember the good ole days when movies and television shows were filmed on a fully decorated set. Props filled the room to give each scene its own unique design, and then it was redesigned the next day to look like something else entirely? 

With the newest and latest technology advancements, these days are slowly fading from the filming industry’s production techniques. Many props are being eliminated thanks to computer programs and the introduction to the world of AI.

Although many props are being replaced with computer animation and other means of falsifying the existence of an object in a room. The need for some props is in higher demand and actually, looks better than ever.

The next generation of filming is here, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be all bad when it comes to using props. In this article, we will take a look at some of the latest technologies being used in movies today and exactly how they have changed the prop world.

How is Technology Changing Props

Props have been used on film for decades to make a movie seem more realistic and add character to each scene. Now that our world has become reliant on computers and software to create amazing content, props now more than ever need to stand out. Here is how the industry is doing just that.

3D Printing

In 1983 3D printing was introduced to the world, and it didn’t take long for the film industry to use it to its advantage. With companies having the ability to create 3D props of just about anything they may need to be made, obtaining the perfect prop no longer an expensive hassle.

Now prop companies cannot only create any object you could need for a film but make it look as realistic as the actual item itself. This meant never having to forfeit cost to a realistic look ever again.

Thanks to 3D printing, prop companies can get items created and pushed out the door much quicker than before. Being able to store detailed information on their computer software makes it easier to produce products and get them out the door much quicker. It also helps create alterations to these same props without having to start from scratch.

Robot Milling

Many of the best props in movies today are animatronic and large. Because most of these props are enormous, they are incredibly time-consuming to make. Working on just one large prop could take up to an entire day for an artist to complete.

Thanks to AI and Robot Milling, experts have created robots to do all the dirty work to save time and energy while humans are preparing other parts of the design or even work on different props.

So, how does robot milling work? It is actually relatively simple, thanks to computers and incredible programming. A designer will put the dimensions, size, steps, etc., into a computer program that will then transmit these instructions to the robot “arm.” The robot will then follow the direction given, completing the project without any human assistance.

Upgraded Technology Systems and Computer Programming

Another way technology has impacted the prop making community is through the computer systems and programs available today. Having impressive hardware, software, and programs easily accessible today helps prop companies get better quality products in a quicker amount of time.

A perfect example of this is fake prop money. Having the ability to digitally design fake cash by simply typing information and details into a computer program and fantastic quality fake cash is printed by the thousands.

These programs make it easy to change the design, colors, size, etc., without changing the casts or other bulky equipment used in the past. They can also apply the rules and regulations set forth by the Secret Service, keeping prop money legal and not having to worry about accidentally measuring or designing incorrectly.

CGI (Computer Generated Imaging)

The growth of the digital world and ever-improving technology isn’t always beneficial to the prop industry. With CGI becoming more widely used, the once needed props are now being computer-generated into the scene.

So, instead of buying prop cars, pool hall settings, or a huge background full of buildings, filmmakers are just animated them into the scene. This form of filming has evolved so much that you can’t tell the images you are seeing aren’t even real.

To Sum Things Up

Even though there may be a few disadvantages to the increased technological advancements in movie production for the prop industry. It looks like it may actually be helping to improve prop making overall. Improved computer systems, advanced technology like AI, and easier access to these programs give the prop industry and quicker, cheaper, and easier way to make more detailed and higher quality props than ever before.