PROPOLOGY Blog - PROPOLOGY

"Fake" and "Real" Thermobaric Bombs From ARROW

12/7/2017

This project was co-produced by WHITE MONKEY DESIGN and PROPOLOGY. Due to the physical scale of the build (and time constraints) design and construction activities were shared by both companies at the request of the ARROW Prop Department.

The "Fake" Bomb - ARROW: Episode 607

A thermobaric bomb is currently the world's most powerful, non-nuclear, explosive device. As scripted however, this particular example is a non-functional ruse.

The "Real" Bomb - ARROW: Episodes 610 and 612

In a subsequent episode, the thermobaric bomb reappears... albeit, looking somewhat different. In this scenario, the bomb is now "REAL", and must be dealt with in the most decisive and heroic way possible!

Military Rebreather Units - From the TV Series ARROW

12/7/2017

As you might imagine, military scuba rebreather units are hard to come by... especially if you need 3 of them on short notice. ARROW Props knew they'd have to be custom built and chose us for the assignment.

Subway Electrical Boxes - From the TV Series ARROW

11/20/2017

An ongoing challenge on ARROW: how to portray something that's inherently unrealistic in a way that is both plausible and interesting—in this case, how to depict someone disconnecting large gauge wires by pulling them out of a high-voltage electrical box... BY HAND... a task that would normally require special insulated tools... and way too much screen time.

Subway Control Electronics Box

Subway Electrical Box

Switchboard and Phone Rigging For the TV Series THE MAGICIANS

9/11/2017

This project required tying in LED flashing circuits onto existing LED line indicators on the client-provided phone and switchboard console. In the case of the phone, it was necessary that the additional circuitry not interfere with the existing functionality of the device.

Multi-Channel Wireless Detonator Device For the TV Series ARROW

9/5/2017

This device was originally conceived as a 40- channel wireless radio detonator with a cable connected trigger-switch unit. The episode Director requested that the coiled cable joining the two devices be removed-- suggesting that they too operated through a radio connection.

Radio Triggered C4 Bombs in Carrying Cases For the TV Series ARROW

8/14/2017

More bombs for ARROW... this time, of the radio controlled, C4 variety!

Apparently if it goes "BOOM", it's generally made here at PROPOLOGY!

RDX Steel Barrel Bombs/Radio Detonator Device For the TV Series ARROW

7/12/2017

This prop was featured as an important plot device in two ARROW episodes.

The Gas Discharge Weapon - For the TV Series ARROW

3/27/2017

This project drew upon some interesting design inspiration.

The result: a novel and interesting outcome.

On location, under temporary rain cover.

Dual-Keyed Interlock Device - For the TV Series ARROW

3/6/2017

Since this was an important and fairly complex item to produce (especially on a tight schedule) the ARROW Prop Department wisely decided to split the work between two vendors... PROPOLOGY & IRL CREATIVE.

Facial Obfuscation Processor with Computer Interface Device For the TV Series ARROW

2/16/2017

A novel, advanced, microprocessor device... with a companion interface unit.

Wireless Motion Detector - For the TV Series ARROW

1/27/2017

ARROW needed a custom device that purportedly sensed motion, was small, and would send an alarm signal wirelessly. This was our interpretation.

The solution provided featured a yellow LED that could be flashed on cue, via wireless remote control. Overall length of the device was approximately 3.5".

C4 Explosive Device with Human Sensor Trigger & Timer For the TV Series ARROW

1/24/2017

Notionally, a C4 explosive device that had a sensor/emitter array capable of sensing a human presence and a conventional timed trigger.

Completed prop—cell phone to be later fitted inside the lower housing.

Motorized and Illuminated Orrery With Radio Remote Control For the Pilot Episode of the TV Series BEYOND

1/16/2017

This prop featured radio remote control of the sun's brightness and variable speed control of the planets in orbit. This assignment, was the result of a terrific collaboration between the Art, Camera, and Prop departments… each having their own specific requirements for this prop.

A motorized model of the solar system—designed to appear as built by a gifted 12 year old.

Nuclear Devices - For the TV Series ARROW

11/17/2016

Another multi-episode story-arc for the TV series ARROW. This time, involving NUKES!

Nuclear Trigger Device

Completed Assy

These two devices largely comprised of existing rental props from various sources that had been combined together with custom made subassemblies. This process yielded an expensive looking prop at a greatly reduced price.

Laboratory Scanning Device - For the TV Series ARROW

7/6/2016

ARROW needed an interesting bench-top type specimen scanner device. Since this was to appear as an example of cutting-edge technology, we were provided the opportunity to explore a novel design.

Explosives Filled Steel Drums and Wireless Detonators For the TV Series ARROW

7/6/2016

On ARROW, if it's supposed to go "BOOM", there's a pretty good chance it was made here at PROPOLOGY.

Shown Nearly Completed

Detailing the "Quantum Processor" For the TV Series ARROW (with UNLIMITED DESIGN)

3/7/2016

This project was co-produced by UNLIMITED DESIGN LTD and PROPOLOGY. Due to logistics and time constraints, the design and construction activities were shared by both companies at the request of the ARROW Prop Department.

This prop was detailed by PROPOLOGY prior to its completion by UNLIMITED DESIGN.

Weird Things Repurposed

1/20/2016

Having interesting objects on hand in the shop that possess useful attributes like working switches, LEDs, battery chambers, etc., can save valuable build time, and keep costs down.

New Rental Inventory: Retina Scanner Access Control Device (Custom/Simulated)

11/8/2015

This unit is provided with a cable connected power supply/remote control unit. Conversion to RF wireless operation is possible at client request.

Design and Operation

Prepping Vintage Reel-To-Reel Tape Recorders For the TV Series THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE

7/14/2015

Recently, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE required a room full of late 50's to early 60's reel-to reel tape recorders. In all, over 30 machines were serviced by us to ensure that they appeared operational.

Six, of the total of twelve machines prepped for the Prop Department.

FOUND: Becca's Pistol from the TV Series ANDROMEDA

5/6/2015

Images have just surfaced from PROP STORE's Live Auction of Film & Television Artifacts #10 that show Becca's sidearm as being successfully sold at auction for the sum of £1,600 (approximately $2,440.00 USD).

(PROPOLOGY provided the "hero" weapons for all the principal cast.)

Becca's pistol, as it appeared at auction.

Design and Construction

New Rental Inventory: Fingerprint Access Control Device

3/12/2015

Device status LED indicator can be changed from red (access denied) to green (access granted) via a small radio remote control.

MORE INFORMATION

New Rental Inventory: Industrial Control Box With Mushroom-Head Pushbutton and Red Indicator

12/7/2014

MORE INFORMATION

It Was Just Another Bomb... Until It Became a REALLY BIG BOMB - For the TV Series ARROW

10/8/2014

It was a simple assignment... until a significant redesign made for unanticipated long work hours and troublesome workflow issues.

Original concept rendering.

Revised design.

Design and Construction

"And Then There Was Two" A Duplicate Built For the TV Series THE FLASH

10/8/2014

The new TV series THE FLASH, has just taken delivery of a duplicate replica tabletop scanning electron microscope just like the one originally built for the television series ARROW.

Design and Construction

This duplicate was built as a "Custom Rental", and as such, remains part of the PROPOLOGY inventory and is available to rent.

Propology
Continuum

Here you can see some of our current and past projects, as well as new additions to our rental inventory.

Categories

We Need Your Input

Our goal to create an archive that showcases our prop building history.

Our company, PROPOLOGY (formally known as MOLNAR MOTION PICTURE PROPS, INC.) has produced countless items since its creation in 1987.

Much of our earliest prop builds still exist, and can be found in various prop rental houses, or in the hands of private collectors.

If you know the current whereabouts of, or can provide any production anecdotes pertaining to any of the items listed in the early posts, please let us know.

We will expand upon the archive on an ongoing basis as information becomes available.

We appreciate your valuable contributions.

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