The Hollywood Reporter today published a news story with updates on the Hollywood History Museum under development by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, reporting that they have reached their initial $100 million dollar fundraising goal and that it is scheduled to open in 2016 at the May Company building at Wilshire Blvd. and Fairfax Ave. [Read more…]
As explained in past articles and coverage, my experience with San Diego Comic Con (or Comic Con International) goes back to the late 80s, as I started attending around 1986 or 1987 or so (several years before I was even old enough to drive). So it’s always a bit remarkable to take a moment within the exhibit hall and just let the enormity of it all, as it lives and breathes today, soak in It is just a massive, massive event, and an awesome one at that. [Read more…]
2012 is Prop Store’s fifth year exhibiting at Comic Con in San Diego, and they continue to improve on their visually pleasing presentation and wide ranging original props and costumes on display. This year, the centerpiece holding the front corner spot is John Hurt’s spacesuit from Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979). Again, the booth features both items from their private collection as well as material for sale (the latter at a variety of price points). [Read more…]
Two big stories have been making news in the mainstream media in recent days, with regards to two different pairs of original ruby slippers from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ – one purchased for the ‘in the works’ Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences “Academy Museum of Motion Pictures”; the other going off display at the Smithsonian for conservation and an eventual “American Stories” exhibit at their “National Museum of American History”.
As was the case in previous years (see 2007 Year in Review, 2008 Year in Review, 2009 Year in Review, 2010 Year in Review), what follows is an editorial featuring my personal observations and opinions with regards to the business of buying, collecting, selling, preserving original pop culture artifacts – looking back at the top trends, developments, and news stories of 2011. As is always the case, this is a completely subjective exercise, and merely touches on the developments and events that relate to the hobby. [Read more…]
Last night the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art announced plans for a museum dedicated to the history of movies, tentatively called “The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures”, it is intended to take over the former May Company Department Store building near LACMA. [Read more…]
As has been tradition with coverage by the Original Prop Blog (2010, 2009, 2008), I thought I would share my overall impressions of Comic Con in San Diego this year. As always, it was an incredible event, though if I came away with one overall thought, it would be looking to the future and how the convention will continue to evolve over the coming years. More than ever, this year it seemed to come off the rails a bit more (in both good and bad ways) and the big question that remains outstanding is if San Diego can continue to both accommodate and manage the incredible attraction as it remains the “all things to all people” global pop culture celebration phenomenon. [Read more…]
As a continuation of the Prop Store booth at this year’s Comic Con (see previously published interview with Stephen Lane), this next video segment includes an interview with Brandon Alinger, COO of the Los Angeles office, along with Ian Mutch from the London office. This feature takes an in-depth look at pieces from Star Trek: Wrath of Khan, The Empire Strikes Back, Drive Angry, Gladiator, Batman Returns, and Predator. [Read more…]