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As someone who works in the entertainment industry and has shopped for set decorators on eBay- I want to dispel the “call it a movie prop” myth. While set decorators buy online all the time, and there are ways to curate to their specific needs, using the words “movie prop” in your description is pointless.
Unless you sell something that had been in a movie (i.e. Laser Blaster movie prop from original Star Wars), you don’t need to put “movie prop” in the title of your listing.
When I have shopped online for a specific prop, it’s because I need a particular widget that we can’t find anywhere else. For instance, on the show I was working on last year, a scene was set in 1920s in a barn. I needed to find rakes, axes, and hoes to fill the background. I went to eBay and searched for “1920s tools”. I did not search “movie props.”
Instead of using general terms, describe the era and location the items might be used. “Movie Prop” – is a useless term, but “1970’s style police station telephone” is perfect. If I am dressing a 1970s police station, I will probably come across your listing.
Then there is artwork…
Because the legal rights to film them are near impossible to obtain, unique art items are rarely purchased by the art department,
Old Photos, those great thrift store paintings, and virtually anything else created must be cleared by the creator (not only the creator but any subjects featured in the artwork). While different studios have different standards, the general rule is an item isn’t public domain until it is over 70 years old. And you have to be able to prove the item is over 70 years old. It’s a pain, and generally, there is no time to pursue. Most art departments have a full-time graphics person who creates this stuff.
Having said this about artwork, if you can provide the contact information of the person who can sign off on the rights – you have something. Was your late grandmother a prolific Velvet Clown Art Painter? As her descendant, you may have the right to license her work. In this instance, definitely, put that information in your description.
“My grandmother made these paintings, and I am willing to license them for Television and Film use.”
Or if you have an Etsy store, “I am the sole creator of this artwork, and I am willing to license for Television and Film Use.”
Just be sure any artwork you create is 100% your own. Your “Twin-Peaks-Star-Trek-the-Next-Generation-Mash-Up” tribute may be art, and you may have the right to sell it, but it won’t be clearable for TV & Film Use.
Hope this helps.
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Oh a few more thoughts. EVERYTHING in the film business is a last minute emergency.
We are one of the few groups of people who will pay extra money for fast shipping.
As a seller I only offer economy shipping on my items, because I never trust Ebay to present the lowest shipping price when the masses are browsing.
You could put in your description, willing to ship more quickly if time sensitive- direct message me to arrange.
It is amazing how unimportant an extra $20.00 is when you are spending someone elses money.
For large high ticket items it is not uncommon for the buyer to want to send you their own Fed Ex label. As long as the address on the label matches the one on your invoice you should be protected. Don’t let that offer frighten you (particularly if they have a high feedback rating).
And if you can, respond to messages immediately. Unless what you are selling is 100% unique there is a good chance the buyer will move onto a similar item if they don’t hear from you.
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I never understood some of the posts where that suggested adding “movie props” to the title. Set decorators just need what they need. Anything can be a prop. Just title appropriately so there are enough keywords to show up in search.
If a buyer is looking to target set designers, then study what “eras” or time periods future productions are working in. I think the 1950’s fad is over. The 1980s is slowing waning. What’s hot time period now?
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If the item I am selling is non-functional in some way and meant for display only, I may use the word “prop”.
I sold a vintage fax machine a while back and my target buyer was either a museum or a prop company as it didn’t work. It ended up going to a museum as expected for $250.
I have a pair of old unused work boots that are dry rotted, but look amazing if they just sit on a shelf for display. I believe I have the word prop on that one.
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That is very helpful, thanks for sharing that. I suspect I am selling to set decorators but I usually don’t know for sure. The shipping address isn’t always a giveaway. I also have noticed the 80s stuff I’ve scored recently isn’t as popular as I expected. I have some truly “radical” (obnoxious) 80s stuff that is surprisingly slow moving. I think the kids are getting over it.
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Right now nothing is film and very few people in the industry are buying.
Wait till Stranger Things ramps back up again – the 80’s will sell….
@RetroTreasures good point – “For Display or Only” or “Movie Prop” may sound fancier than “AS IS” but no one is ever going to use the search term.
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