I worked as an Art Department Coordinator on several features on the Sony Studios (formerly called Columbia Pictures) lot in Culver City, as well as working at the Culver Studios and on location films. I can safely say that money for such things would not be an object on a studio feature, however most props and set dressing are rented through the many prop houses in LA. While I have seen Victolas, old wooden radios and Invicta TVs, I have never seen any high end gear for rent at a prop house. This is the primary problem. High end art, yes. High end audio, no.
I can tell you that while working on the feature "Bugsy" one of the set dressers was dressing a night club set and showed me a black and white picture of Rashaan Roland Kirk with three horns in his mouth that she intended to use because of its character. I pointed out to her that the photo had to have been taken from ten to twenty years later than the time period of the film. The photo was never used.
Back to the prop house, I suppose.
Marty
I can tell you that while working on the feature "Bugsy" one of the set dressers was dressing a night club set and showed me a black and white picture of Rashaan Roland Kirk with three horns in his mouth that she intended to use because of its character. I pointed out to her that the photo had to have been taken from ten to twenty years later than the time period of the film. The photo was never used.
Back to the prop house, I suppose.
Marty
