Our Favorite Genre Props With Ryan Condal and David Mandel
House of R
Deep Dive
Why did Ryan Condal start collecting props and how did it lead to the creation of a podcast?
Ryan Condal has been a collector all his life, starting with baseball cards and comic books. His interest in prop replicas grew as his disposable income increased. He transitioned to original prop collecting after attending a Battlestar Galactica auction and buying a Viper helmet, which sparked his obsession. Meeting David Mandel, a famous writer-collector, deepened his passion. They bonded over their shared interest in props, leading to the creation of their podcast, 'The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of', where they discuss film props.
How did David Mandel's collecting journey begin and what significant items does he own?
David Mandel started collecting various items, including Star Wars toys, when he moved to Los Angeles in 1995 to work on Seinfeld. His collection expanded to include original props after winning a phone auction for a Stormtrooper helmet from Return of the Jedi. He owns several Stormtrooper helmets, including one from a 9-11 charity fundraiser and another that screen matches to a specific scene in Star Wars.
What impact has prop collecting had on Ryan Condal's professional work as a showrunner?
Prop collecting has influenced Ryan Condal's approach to storytelling and production design. He believes that props are the tangible remnants of storytelling in film, carrying the essence of the stories they represent. This passion is reflected in his work on House of the Dragon, where he focuses on creating iconic and meaningful props that resonate with the audience and carry historical significance within the Targaryen narrative.
How does David Mandel view the role of props in comedy shows like Veep?
David Mandel appreciates the meticulous attention to detail in props, even in comedy shows like Veep. He mentions Gay Parello, the prop person for Veep, who filled photo albums and other items with rich, character-specific details that added depth to the storytelling. This level of care and attention to props enhances the authenticity and immersion of the show's world.
What advice do Ryan Condal and David Mandel offer for those interested in starting a prop collection?
Ryan Condal and David Mandel suggest starting with pre-priced items from reputable prop websites like propstore.com. They caution against auction fever and recommend setting a budget. They also advise scouting auctions without bidding to understand the process and prices. For replicas, they recommend checking out forums like the Replica Prop Forum and companies like Regal Robot and Paragon Effects for high-quality replicas. They emphasize the importance of understanding the value of props versus replicas and considering the long-term investment potential.
What are some of the favorite props picked by the hosts and guests in the podcast?
The favorite props picked by the hosts and guests include Deckard's pistol from Blade Runner, Ben Kenobi's lightsaber, a bone sword from Brotherhood of the Wolf, Longclaw from Game of Thrones, the Batmobile from the 60s, the Ornithopter from Dune, Luke's X-Wing from Empire, the DeLorean from Back to the Future, the Holy Grail from The Last Crusade, the Ruby Slippers from Wizard of Oz, the briefcase from What's Up, Doc, the Pulp Fiction briefcase, Eomer's Helm from Lord of the Rings, Han Solo's parka from Hoth, Christopher Reeve's Superman suit, the Mithril coat from Fellowship of the Ring, a 2001 A Space Odyssey spacesuit and helmet, a newspaper from The Godfather, the Blue Moon Detective sign, Desmond's copy of Our Mutual Friend from Lost, and Viggo the Carpathian from Ghostbusters 2.
- Ryan Condal and David Mandel share their insights on collecting film props.
- The hosts and guests discuss their top picks for wearables, weapons, and MacGuffins.
Shownotes Transcript