Prop gathering and creation was a thrill during the production of INDEFINITE. Pre-production is less tense than when cameras are rolling and lights are blazing a scene.
The script was crafted with a lean intent—minimal props for maximum impact. Story choices were built around props and rides we could hustle. The prop list was a stripped-down inventory of crucial items. The essentials punctuated the raw, authentic action movie vibe.
In May 2007, we threw together the master props list. Co-director Christopher Kuiper and I split the prop gathering in half. Below is a copy of the Google Spreadsheet in PDF format.
Vials of Mystery
The key ingredient to the story for INDEFINITE focused on the mysterious orange vials.
We collected the vials at American Science and Surplus. The place is always an adventure. It is a treasure trove of freakish finds like a full skeleton. Yellow police “Caution Tape” was snagged as well. Turns out, it was never needed.
“Bang Bang” Fake Guns
The action in INDEFINITE was punctuated by guns and martial arts. Christopher snagged some killer-looking airsoft guns to amp up the danger vibe. Violent moments needed to feel real.
Safety was always top priority. No airsoft pellet BBs nor CO2 cartridges were allowed on set. The actors only wielded those noiseless guns for the fake “bang bang” shots.
Multiple styles of airsoft guns were purchased. Christopher snapped photos of each actor holding their distinct prop gun for continuity.
A Bucket of Bullet Casings
We cooked up a ferocious kitchen shootout of bullets flying everywhere. We planned to scatter bullet casings around the kitchen floor. These would be intercut with shots of CGI bullets tearing through the air.
Christopher hit up a shooting range to scavenge a few bullet casings. He thought he’d grab a handful for free, but he shelled out cash for a small bucket instead.
Our hunger to create a profound action scene was bigger than our appetite. A production designer or props master needed to be added to the team to assist. The bucket of bullet casings never left the basement staging room.
Killer Knife?
The only “dangerous” weapon on set was a jagged army tactical knife. A piece of history from Christopher’s father’s time in the Korean War. Legend has it, he fended off two attackers with that very blade. Or maybe it was a dusty relic found in the garage?
The knife stayed sheathed throughout shooting except for key close-ups. “The Man in the Mask” was waiting to strike Otto’s street soldier.
Light It Up
A blue-hot torch blazed the final boss showdown. I have a friend that crafts metal sculptures. He was stoked for his cameo.
Mask Art
Artist Pete Stolowski’s art was integrated into the kitchen scene to deepen the mask theme. Paintings on CD covers coat the kitchen walls.
A dark wooden mask hid on a shelf. The mask was swallowed by shadows due to lack of light. We failed to not spotlighting the art. A few close-ups mixed into the shootout with bullets ripping past would have strengthened the intensity.
Sculpted Surprise
We scored big time. A quick chase scene was planned to bridge scenes together. As we scouted the set we noticed a sculpted tree with a face carving. We knew we had to light that thing up. The tree added flair to the film.
A Wig Unseen
The bike theft scene was in the fall. Principal photography was kicked off earlier in the summer. Actor Joe Fransee had to slip back into the “The Man in the Mask” costume. The big reveal required him to remove helmet to show his face.
Joe chopped his hair to short light blonde. The black was gone from when filming started. My sister, a hair stylist, came to the rescue. I wore a black wig while my sister tailored it to look like Joe’s black hair.
I missed a chance to grab a selfie to show the before and after of the wig styling.
The Rides
The family van proved to be the perfect vehicle for a random car jacking and chase scene. Christopher painted text on the van for another visual cue.
My Chevy Beretta made an appearance as the car driven by “The Man in the Mask”.
For more “prop” notes, check out The Mask post. The post goes through how the mask was crafted, the leather pouch, and the tactical vest treatment.