Period set design

[Lynos]

Hi guys

After many tries, I now have a short script that I'd really like to make.

It takes place in one room.

It has only two characters.

But there's a catch: It takes place over a period of 20-30 years.

Now, if my budget was more shoestring it would've snapped. There's obviously some heavy set-design involved. I need a desk, a couch, chairs, shelves, books, curtains, lamps, a typewriter....

What i'd like to know is a) if anyone had any experience with this kind of production and can give some info on what this kind of a production ought to cost and b) if there's anybody here from Toronto that has any idea where one can rent this kind of stuff. I googled but was only able to find rentals for artifacts but not necessarily furniture.

My budget is about 1,000-1,500 dollars for a 12 page script.

Thanks.

 

[trashcandan]

Thrift shops and donation centers like Goodwill and Savers are worth a try. Not sure if you have them in Toronto but you can get some peices to dress your set there for a decent price. Usualy early Saturdays are the time to go for the best deals. Hope this helps.

 

[Lynos]

Yeah, thanks, I know about those stores, but they're not renting, are they? You can only buy.

If I buy furniture, what am I going to do with it when the shoot is over? No, I need to rent, borrow, travel back in time, something like that....

 

[djkarn105]

If I buy furniture, what am I going to do with it when the shoot is over?

I'm sure craigslist toronto has plenty of people like myself who dig vintage furniture. If you give it away for free I'm sure you won't have a problem. Heck, you could even donate it back to the goodwill you bought it from!

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

Yeah, thanks, I know about those stores, but they're not renting, are they? You can only buy.

If I buy furniture, what am I going to do with it when the shoot is over? No, I need to rent, borrow, travel back in time, something like that....

If you buy it from Goodwill for a 'cheap' price, donate it back, and call the expense a 'rental'... However, what 'period' are you looking for, as Goodwill often will have most 'the last 2 or so decades' of stuff. Anything older, which looks obviously 'antique', may not be found in a Goodwill.

On Craigslists, at least in my area, there are 'free' stuff lists. I did get a 'free' roller top desk... unfortunately, it was filled with termites, and I basically had to put it out for trash pickup...

 

[David G. Smith]

You know, getting the furniture is one thing, and as noted, a challenge. My question is exactly what are your ideas about showing the passage of time with the set design. Do you start with new furniture and have it show more wear and tear as the years pass, or are your characters the type that would remodel and redecorate to keep up with the styles of the times? Or both?
Since you are in Toronto, which seems to be a very cool city, I would maybe talk to a local University art/theatre department about this challenge and get their input. You may be able to get some serious artsy, interior design types to make this some kind of "For credit" project. You might just end up with some high energy types who can make this project, and your future projects look kick ass. One of the things that is not discussed enough on this board is the importance of producton design to the "Look" of a movie.