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50 Times Filmmakers Repurposed Everyday Items As Props And Hoped No One Would Notice (New Pics)
Movies want to take us to an alternate reality. But to create it, the crew has to use real-life things. So, they improvise.
The subreddit r/ThatsABookLight is dedicated to dissecting these attempts, both the fascinating and the absurd—the members of this online community are exposing everyday household and commercial items being repurposed as something entirely different for the big screen.
Whether it's a calculator used as a b**b clock or a sponge meant to represent a belt pouch, nothing gets past these folks.
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#1
That's A Dog
Bill Swallow 7 months ago (edited)
Yep. Given the constraints of time, budget, and resources they were working under, I'd have been hard pressed to do as well. Also: For 'Man Trap' (the salt vampire, the first episode aired) they needed a salt shaker. The prop man found some nice futuristic salt shakers. But they were too futuristic - the audience would not recognize them as salt shakers without an explanation. So they got a regular salt shaker from the canteen. And used the futuristic-looking ones as Dr. McCoy's surgical instruments.
Riley Quinn 7 months ago
Yes, it is a dog. No one is denying this fact. However, because this canine is native to planet Alfa 177, it looks a bit different from Earth dogs, which, face it, all look quite dissimilar. The Alfa 177 canine differed in that it had a horn on its head, a scaled backbone, a long hairless tail, a pouch on its abdomen, and thin gold antennae sprouting from its head. But it is a canine.
ronniebeaton00 7 months ago
Another, more recent one, from an episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Ensign Uhura is lying on her bunk, head resting on an odd looking curved pillow. Yeah, it's a shaped, memory foam knee pillow - I use one just like it.
To learn more about what to make of these pictures, we contacted Justas Ramanauskas, a director from Vilnius, Lithuania. He has created commercials, music videos, and short films, and to him, good set design is the kind that makes the audience believe the world they see is real.
"It doesn't have to be real, but it has to have that feeling, depending on the context of the story and film," he told Bored Panda.
"Set design plays an absolutely crucial role [in movies and TV shows]. When I'm working on a project, we—the crew—sometimes joke that if the set or location looks bad, it doesn't matter how well the actors perform, or how well you light it or shoot it — the frame just won't look good."
RELATED:
#2
60s Batman's Utility Belt Pouches Were Sometimes Made From Kitchen Sponges
Riley Quinn 7 months ago
This show aired during the black & white 60's for most Americans who couldn't afford a fancy color television. Attached to a roof antennae that didn't always show clear images due to varying weather patterns or aluminum foil wrapped rabbit ears that needed constant readjusting. So, yeah, I missed the sponged belt.
#3
Galaxy Quest: 'Scanning Tool' For Sigourney Weaver's Face Is A Vaginal Speculum
Stannous Flouride 8 months ago
I'm sure, given the tenor of that movie, that it was an intentional joke.
Binky Melnik 7 months ago
It was awfully funny, and I’ll bet on subsequent viewings, we can find more and more goofy things like this!
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In that sense, Ramanauskas explained, the sets are like a foundation on which filmmakers add other aspects to create a scene. Because of this, "Directors collaborate extremely closely with art directors and production designers."
"The production designer is the head of the department, so they're the main person who can take the director's ideas and help make them a reality. It's one of the most creative and artistic roles in filmmaking, and it impacts a lot of how the film looks and feels."
#4
Was Watching Angel And I Instantly Saw Something I Recognized. Their 'Lab Thingies' Are Actually Toilet Brushes From IKEA !
#5
I Love When They Adapt Something Without Any Effort. A Scene From An Indian TV Show
Khavrinen 8 months ago
Just before they zap people they're supposed to yell "Clear!", not "Clean!"
Beak Hookage 7 months ago
You're supposed to uncover the patient's chest first, but that would have been uncomfortable and scratchy.
Riley Quinn 7 months ago
Why is my chest so scratched up? Oh, show some gratitude. We saved your life.
#6
Andor S01e04 - Sainsbury Egg-Slicers Do Well As Sci-Fi Lights!
Jason Kennith 7 months ago
From now on, I will forever have an egg slicer on the coffee table in front of me when I'm watching Andor.
However, as with everything in filmmaking, there are constraints. "Budget changes everything," Ramanauskas said. For example, "It's one thing to shoot on location, and it's completely different to shoot in a studio."
"Locations usually have features that you cannot change (although, depending on the situation, you can sometimes adjust certain details, like the color of a wall, etc.), while in a studio, you have complete control over all aspects (depending on the budget size, of course)."
#7
The Book Of Boba Fett [2022], 100 Litre Water Butt Is A Background Droid In Mos Espa, Tatooine
JB 7 months ago
Following a proud tradition! In the original, that one was a garbage can, wasn't it?
Jason Kennith 7 months ago
There are multiple types of droids like that with those blocky legs. Gonk droids, commonly referred to as "garbage can droids", are the kind you're thinking of.
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Riley Quinn 7 months ago
In British English, butt means barrel or large cask, whereas Americans refer to these as rain barrels.
#8
The Keypad In Dark Matter Is A Kitchen Scale
Offbeat Quinoa 7 months ago
I mean it is, but most people I know who own one don’t use it for kitchen things :)
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In The Expanse, This Medical Device On The Table Of A Ship Medbay Is Actually A Kitchenart Spice Dispenser
Binky Melnik 7 months ago
Wow; that thing takes up waaay more space on the counter than the actual spice bottles do! I’m filing this under “Things which aren’t an improvement,” or “Backwards progress.”
#10
[deadpool 2] I've Marked Out Which Nerf Blasters Were Used As Guns In This Post-Fight Scene
UKGrandad 7 months ago
Agreed. If any movie is going to include tongue-in-cheek visuals it's going to be Deadpool.
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crashthegreenhat 7 months ago
That isn't Deadpool 2. That is from a fan made musical called "Deadpool The Musical 2". Look it up on YouTube.
The same goes for costumes. As director Justas Ramanauskas pointed out, "One thing is to rent and try to find fits, and another is to buy or make them for actors — and then shape the costumes to the actors' proportions, like cropping T-shirts, adjusting the length of pants, etc."
#11
Sony Earbuds As Medical Equipment In X-Men Last Stand On Jean Grey/Phoenix
#12
I'm Pretty Sure This Guy In Andor Is Carrying A Cymbal Hardcase
Riley Quinn 7 months ago
What you don't see are his roadies carrying the rest of his drum kit.
#13
This Remote Device To Activate The Red Scare From "The Tick" (2001) Is A Repurposed Bumble Ball Toy
#14
That Thing In Mandalorian Is Definitely A Rotisserie Skewer, Or Whatever It's Called
Jason Kennith 7 months ago (edited)
It's a Pit droid. I'm pretty sure that's common knowledge, at least among Star Wars fans. They're famous for being very durable but also fairly clumsy and dumb. See also: The Droid arc in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Though I understand the OP was referring to the tool being held by the droid in the first place.
Jason Kennith 7 months ago (edited)
I am quite confused as to why someone would downvote my comment. Can someone explain?
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Jason Kennith 7 months ago (edited)
It's not skewing anything, it's a starship repair droid. Just wanted to let you know.
Load More Replies...However, sometimes constraints add value, as challenges bring new opportunities for creative decisions. "For example, if you shoot in a real apartment and there isn't enough space to do very wide shots, it makes the location feel more real and authentic," Ramanauskas said.
Interestingly, creators even force themselves into uncomfortable situations to come up with new ideas. "Sometimes we bring those limitations [we might have in locations] on purpose when building sets," the director revealed. "[To extend the aforementioned scenario], you might build a smaller apartment to make it feel more genuine. But you also retain the option to remove a wall and make that wide shot if you really need it."
#15
Dune Costume Design - Utilizing A Washing Machine Hose / Clamp
#16
The Security Camera In This Mcr Music Video Is A Polaroid Sx70
#17
In The Phantom Menace, The Tool? Ornament? Hanging On Anakin's Wall Is Actually A Children's Ball Thrower
Stannous Flouride 8 months ago
That's a child's version of a cesta, the pelota thrower in jai alai. (TIL that jai alai is Basque for “merry festival”) cesta-67f9...e199ec.gif 
JB 7 months ago
I miss playing pelote. The thwack of the pala was so satisfying!
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Aileen Grist 7 months ago
When they made the first, original star wars, my dad supplied fire buckets for the helmets of the troopers. He worked at a plastics company and regularly supplied stuff for TV & film. The one I liked best was when 2 'weird' men came to buy boxes nd asked if the could have 'Queen' diestampeed on them. He agreed - it was only later that I discovered he'd met Freddie Mercury
#18
The Expanse S3e2 - A Car Topper Is Used As A Pediatric Cryo Stasis Pod
Stannous Flouride 8 months ago
There's a video going around of a refugee who tried the smuggle their self into the UK in one attached to the top of a car. The problem they ran into was that after it was strapped down they couldn't get out and had to pound on it to get rescued.
Duxall Inarow 7 months ago
In Firefly E9 Ariel the body transport pods were Thule Pulse cargo car toppers. Firefly-Ar...8cd769.jpg 
#19
Remember In Star Trek Vi: The Undiscovered Country When Kim Cattrall Controlled The Uss Enterprise With A Drum Machine?
HF 7 months ago
redirect power from the shields to the drum machine and be ready to fire some sick beats!
#20
Robot Jox (1989) A "Medical Injector" Used To Tranq The Hero Is Actually A Repainted Thermogrip 208 Hot Glue Gun
rullyman 7 months ago
Have you ever burnt yourself with one? They're more a t*****e device than a weapon
Kira Okah 7 months ago
Gave myself a second degree burn with a glue gun, very unpleasant.
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#21
Iron Sky (2012): Spaceship Radio Klaus Is Talking Into Is A Head Lamp
Sergio Bicerra 8 months ago
Me too! I wonder if any of us got the one used in the movie! 😆
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#22
The Machine In Michael's Pod In Warrior Nun Is An Upside Down Canon Printer
sfgothgirl 7 months ago
Got to do something with all those printers that quickly or inevitably die. Planned obsolence sucks!
#23
"Locator Device" In Spy Kids [2001] Is A Painted/Modified Electronic Handheld Battleship Game
#24
At The Mandalorian, Season 3, You Can See These Modern Lamps At The "The Resistor" Bar Tables. It Is Not A Lamp, But A Thanos 3-1 Bug Zapper L66 Modified
#25
The Gamesphere From Drake & Josh Was A Memorex Boomball
#26
Thought This Might Be Appreciated Here
#28
In Deep Space 9 S02e15 “Paradise” [1994], The Penal Box Is A Standard 40”x48” Collapsible Gaylord Bin With Lid
JP Doyle 7 months ago
The middle Trek franchises (TNG thru Enterprise) used a LOT of shipping and storage containers as set dressing. The wall units in DS9 Sick Bay were shipping pallets with the feet cut out and replaced with monitors. A lot of the ubiquitous grids in front of panel lighting walls were made of the top layer of shipping pallets. Milk crates were also cut apart and used as structural supports or extra fiddly bits in set dressing on the Promenade, starship labs and even the ship bridges. I was at a convention before DS9 was filmed. Bjo Trimble had been on the sets under construction and snagged some chunks of plastic from the dust bins. They were auctioned off for charity. They were pieces of the gridwork found on regular everyday milk crates.
#29
Loki - Tva Terminal Is A Weltron 8 Track Player
Oerff On Tour 7 months ago
We had this as a kid. Exactly this one. My brother had an off-white black and white TV
#30
At It Again. In The Mandalorian "Chapter 3: The Sin" (2019), They're Using Ice Cream Makers Now As Portable Safes
UKDeek 7 months ago
This was the second time that prop was used in the Star Wars universe. The first appearance was in The Empire Strikes Back, when one of the background extras was seen running with one of these under his arm. This character gained a bit of a cult following, so much so that he got a name "Willrow Hood", got a whole backstory and now convention attendees cosplay as him... https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Willrow_Hood
#31
Sci-Fi Diagnostic Equipment? Nah, Barcode Scanner (Star Trek: Into Darkness, 2013)
#32
Empire Strikes Back (1980) - 2-1b Medical Droid's "Mouth" Is A Shure Sm55 (The Elvis Mic) Microphone Grill
#34
Obi-Wan Kenobi Used A Kodak Service Range Finder As A Communicator
#36
B**b Timer In S.W.A.T. Is Just A TI-83 Plus Calculator
TotallyNOTAFox 7 months ago
Though that raises the question why they use a calculator of all things and not something with a timer and an alarm function...
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#37
In The Fifth Element [1997], The ZF-1 Remote Is An Old Handheld Electronic Game Painted Black
#38
This Tool In The Book Of Boba Fett Is The Same Torch I Have
#39
Boss Of Booklights [dynamo Dream]
#40
In Knives Out (2009) The Frame For The Knife Display Is The Fan Guard From A Commercial Air Conditioner
#41
Transporter Test Cylinder Is A Sonobuoy Case
TotallyNOTAFox 7 months ago
To be fair, I wouldn't say that those are an "everyday item" for a majority of people
Carl Roberts 7 months ago
Here's an article chronicling every use of the Sonobouy in Star Trek ( and a few other shows) https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/inconsistencies/reused_props_sonobuoys.htm
#42
The Helmets In The Original Tron Movie Were The Popular Cooper Sk2000 Hockey Helmet
Roger Haywood 7 months ago
Sark: "You're very persistant, Tron!" Tron: I'm also better than you!"
#43
In Star Trek Picard S02e10, A Character Needs To Hack A Device That Seems To Be Controlled By A Powered Off Korg Nanokontrol Mixing Interface
#44
That's A Barcode Scanner From 2014. In The TV Show "The Rookie"
RamiRudolph 7 months ago
Why is the middle image mirrored, but the subtitles are the right way? 🤨
Bear Hall 7 months ago
I knew it. The measles vaccine modifies the DNA of every child to hide barcodes in their fingerprints. This is how the Feds know what everybody is doing. When something goes wrong and the barcode manifests in the brain that causes the autism. Maybe now the HHS will finally admit it and each of them will be cured by a simple brain surgery removing part of their brain. (It's a joke, just to make it clear for those who don't speak sarcasm.)
#45
Mmmm, Fried Facehuggers - High-Tech Lab Equipment On Lv426 Is A Deep Fat Fryer (Aliens 1986)
#46
In Macgruber [2010], Macgruber's Keypad Lock To His Secret Agent Stash Is The Handheld Electronic Game Lights Out Released In 1995 By Tiger Electronics
cadena kuhn 7 months ago
This was also used for several electric devices in the show space cases
#47
[tv] In Battlestar Galactica [1979], These "Fruits" Are Just Balloons
Ann Kapoxeet 7 months ago
In Star Trek Voyager (my favorite as a trekkie) they used spray painted ginger as an alien vegetable. I hate to say it, but it was bad.
#48
Cpt. Picard With What Looks To Be A Box Cutter
Bear Hall 7 months ago
"Computer, one last time. If you don't do what I say I'll start cutting cables."
Michael Largey 7 months ago
"Sorry, Dave, I can't let you do that - wrong franchise or not."
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#49
Klingons In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine [1994] Drink Out Of Measuring Cups
#50
In The Flash Ep 713, The Eeg Scanners On Barry's Head Appear To Be Just A Bunch Of Shure Headset Mics
#51
Noticed A Few Sawed-Off And Re-Painted Nes Zappers Used As Gun Props In This Episode Of Stargate. (Season 4 Episode 10) I Think They Were Rigged To Fire Squibs Too, Which Is Cool
#53
Wall Panels On The UK Game Show “Crystal Maze” Are Presswood Shipping Pallets Sprayed Silver
#55
These “Weapon Pods” On Top Of The New Orleans Class Ships From Star Trek Are Just Repainted Highlighter Markers
#57
Scanning Data With A Stereo Microphone From Radio Shack. St:tng S3e02 "The Ensigns Of Command"
#62
This Item Is A Metal Detector Used At The First Episode Of Andor Season 1. But Actually, Is A Vintage Safeway Electric Knife
#64
In Back To The Future II [1989] Biff’s Matchbook Holder Is Made From A 1968-72 Volvo 140 Hubcap
#67
Ghostbusters II - Zeddmores Scanner Is Made Of Kitchen Utensils Such As A Potato Masher & Strainer
Lost Panda 7 months ago
I want to say this is more intentional, because they (characters) were making the stuff on a budget
#68
The Doctor's Lash-Up Device Seen In "Doctor Who" S6 E2 Is... Literally A Book Light
#69
This Uturistic Space Keyboard In Marvel Studios' Loki Is A Volca Keys Entry-Level Synthesizer
#70
2019 Episode Of Dust Had A Brain-Downloading Supercomputer. I Had To Pause To Grab Mine From A Box Downstairs
#71
In Maniac: E3, Jonah Hill Has His Brain Scanned With A Cooler Master Vortex Plus Cpu Cooler And Some Parallel Ports
#73
Ski/Snowboarding Goggles As A VR Headset. (Ready Player One : 2018)
#77
[stargate Sg1 S. 4 Ep. 10 "Beneath The Surface"] The Alien Gun Is Just A Nintendo Zapper Painted Red
#79
Power Rangers Turbo, Episode 43: Three Tiger R-Zone Super Screens Bolted Together As The Villains' Megazords Triple Controller
#80
In The Flash S2e21 [2016], Two Steinberg Cmc Cubase Music Software Controllers (The Ones With The Colored Leds) Were Used To Open A Portal To The Speed Force. Also Later Used To Tap Information From A Mind-Controlling Gorilla
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UKDeek 7 months ago
There has been a very long tradition of using household or found items in prop making, as it is easier to "bash" an item around then make something from scratch, and before home media a prop might only be on the screen for a few seconds or background flavour.
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LakotaWolf (she/her) 7 months ago
Oh dear, you mean sci-fi movies and shows DIDN'T invent brand-new devices and technology when they made props? They used things that actually exist? And sometimes REPAINTED them?! Goodness, how disappointing XD (joking)
UKDeek 7 months ago
If people's minds are blown by this list, wait until they find out what Luke's lightsaber is made from in the original Star Wars!
Luke Branwen 7 months ago
I was expecting the lady razor used as a communicator in The Phantom Menace :)
Load More Replies... Carl Roberts 7 months ago
This has been done since the dawn of tv & film. I always laugh when Redditors think they've discovered some shocking revelation. Anyhoo, here's an article from my favorite Star Trek website, showing numerous examples of real world items used throughout the franchise. https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/inconsistencies/present-day-devices.htm
Stannous Flouride 8 months ago
I wonder how many of these were chosen because they were something one of the prop makers wanted for themselves.
JP Doyle 7 months ago
One of my favorites from the Original Star Trek series was the set designers used to raid the trash dumpsters behind the Mission:Impossible set next door and take the packing materials for their high tech electronics. They'd staple them together and paint them in metallic paints then hang them on the wall as alien art or room decorations.
2f6rmvrbc9 7 months ago
You missed Star Trek TOS, McCoy’s scanners were salt shakers from the commissary
Major Harris 7 months ago
star trek original series- you mean dr. mccoy was actually using a salt shaker as a "med scanner"? the show lied to me?
UKDeek 7 months ago
There has been a very long tradition of using household or found items in prop making, as it is easier to "bash" an item around then make something from scratch, and before home media a prop might only be on the screen for a few seconds or background flavour.
Load More Replies... LakotaWolf (she/her) 7 months ago
Oh dear, you mean sci-fi movies and shows DIDN'T invent brand-new devices and technology when they made props? They used things that actually exist? And sometimes REPAINTED them?! Goodness, how disappointing XD (joking)
UKDeek 7 months ago
If people's minds are blown by this list, wait until they find out what Luke's lightsaber is made from in the original Star Wars!
Luke Branwen 7 months ago
I was expecting the lady razor used as a communicator in The Phantom Menace :)
Load More Replies... Carl Roberts 7 months ago
This has been done since the dawn of tv & film. I always laugh when Redditors think they've discovered some shocking revelation. Anyhoo, here's an article from my favorite Star Trek website, showing numerous examples of real world items used throughout the franchise. https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/inconsistencies/present-day-devices.htm
Stannous Flouride 8 months ago
I wonder how many of these were chosen because they were something one of the prop makers wanted for themselves.
JP Doyle 7 months ago
One of my favorites from the Original Star Trek series was the set designers used to raid the trash dumpsters behind the Mission:Impossible set next door and take the packing materials for their high tech electronics. They'd staple them together and paint them in metallic paints then hang them on the wall as alien art or room decorations.
2f6rmvrbc9 7 months ago
You missed Star Trek TOS, McCoy’s scanners were salt shakers from the commissary
Major Harris 7 months ago
star trek original series- you mean dr. mccoy was actually using a salt shaker as a "med scanner"? the show lied to me?
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