Ask Adam Savage: Buying vs. Replicating Movie Props

What is a prop that sees frequent replication but surprises Adam in the general skew toward a single version? Does Adam prefer buying or making replicas of movie props? Adam answers these questions from Tested members Thomas Esson and Justin Schroeder, whom we thank for their support. Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions and watching exclusive videos:
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[@d-granter5126]

what time is it there its 4 am in ireland

[@williamwofford2503]

the stones were temple of doom ...........the last crusade was the Grail

[@AlanJames1987]

5:15 "and Crystal Skull doesn't exist". lol Also, my immediate thought about the props was the Skywalker lightsaber. There are a lot of different versions but I think the one most people want is a replica from Empire. The DL-44 is a close second because there a lot of different versions but the one from A New Hope seems to be the hero prop most people want. Star Wars, like Terminator, was created in an age where multiple props could exist because they were made by different people at different places during different stages of production.

[@Rockmaster867]

And no internet to get in contact with the other person to compare or share plans

[@ljg6979]

Agreed on the Skywalker lightsaber. Although I would want the ANH version. It seems like most builders want Obi-wan's ANH saber, and unfortunately a real parts version of that is just about unobtanium at this point.

[@andycoppes]

T2 was my first rated R movie and the arm was about the coolest thing I had ever seen in my life

[@michaelripley4528]

Yeah ! That scene was awesome back in those days… And it still is today ! 🎉

[@masterquake7]

Unfortunately, my first R movie was Eraser so I was treated to bad alligator CGI instead of the bad ass effects of T2.

[@andycoppes]

@@masterquake7 the rail gun was freakin awesome though, so there was that

[@CFeliPO]

T2 was my first rated R movie too!

[@lllllREDACTEDlllll]

I wonder if Adam understands that his building of his own prop "replicas" subsequently turns them into valuable "props" simply due to him being Adam Savage... It's weird that in the future his replicas will continue to grow in value along side the actual movie props and collectors will put those too behind UV protective glass.

[@Merennulli]

I totally agree on the props. There are a few I wanted at one point or another...mostly phasers and disruptors from Star Trek... but I much more want a good replica I can play with. And I do mean that, not jokingly. I am a grown man a significant amount of the way through paying off my mortgage and I want to wave around a phaser making "pew pew" noises and I feel no shame in that. I don't have the skill to replicate it to the fidelity that I want and the materials I'm comfortable working with aren't great for replicating it either. I occasionally check Etsy for a First Contact type 3 phaser because someone on there did a good 3D print with a good paint job and electronics, but they stopped. I keep hoping they're take it up again or someone else will.

[@majorkurn]

I love the excitement of the laugh when you're talking about the prop you're looking to buy and modify. Can't wait for you to find it and the subsequent video for it

[@elevown]

not modify- recreate a functioning version of- he isnt gonna hack up the real prop - thats sacrelige!

[@rockeyepunkcovers4921]

I actually like The Terminator better than T2. The music and the '80s aesthetic really does it for me, and I also like that's just a bit shorter/snappier... Oh, and Michael Biehn's awesome.

[@randycarter2001]

Regarding making the replica. There's an old saying. "It's not about the destination, but the journey." The destination is just another endo-hand. But the journey of making it is the most important part. What did I learn? Did I have fun doing it?

[@blueberry_lemon]

I sew and relate to preferring to make some things. I'd feel like being too delicate with a shirt I got for $100. The supplies, tools, and hours to replicate may end up costing more, but I enjoy the making/using experience and customizability!

[@soundwaverecords9023]

Nice to hear this. Was inspired by your Vibroblade build so I'm trying to make one from scratch out of aluminum. Would be easier to just buy it but thought it would be more fun to make it.

[@ZamboniZone]

I actually liked the Last Crusade the best out of all of the Raiders trilogy

[@bryankennedy7123]

I marveled at the Klingon battlecruiser from Undiscovered Country at NASM when it was there. Pretty sure it was built over one from the first Star Trek film. Felt fortunate to find photos of a battered model from the first film when I copied it a couple years ago.

[@stevepreskitt283]

Same here when I got to see the 5' Falcon, the Tantive IV (complete with Playboy poster), the Devastator, and a bunch of other filming miniatures at a Star Wars exhibit about 10 years ago. Part of the enjoyment was just getting lost in the craftsmanship, but a big part of it was seeing (with my own eyes) so much of my youth brought into its real physical form.

[@SkunkworksProps]

I feel similarly about the buy/build thing, particularly when it comes to original pieces. I don't need to have that connection to the movie to enjoy a prop, though I'm much more likely to buy something if it has come from a production mould. I prefer being able to hand something to someone so they can wave it around, put it on, whatever, than say "This is X...no, you can't touch it."

[@GreyDevil]

I would love if Adam decided to replicate the book of the dead from the Mummy movies, the prop he filmed during the auction was truly a thing of beauty

[@MeBeTheDB]

THE 'FLESH FIST' FROM the first 'TERMINATOR' ... where Arnold punches through the WINDSHIELD was later used in a movie I wrote called, 'THE BANKER' (1989 - Robert Forster, Duncan Regehr, Shanna Reed and Richard Roundtree) It was used for an insert shot at the end of the film of the title character's hand smashing into a TV Set. If memory serves, I believe it was made of a heavy steel or solid aluminum and was solid. D.A.

[@DaHaiZhu]

Rumor has it Adam is buying the Transporter Bay from ST:TNG and going to make it fully functional 😆

[@CosminNeagu]

Please do Maverick's helmet or jacket one day. The movie props from TG have very specific details and very small things can screw up the form of the entire object.

[@paulcochran1721]

My favorite prop from a movie (TV show in my case) that I really didn't like would be the Eagles from Space: 1999. Even as a kid I thought the show was flawed, but wow, those Eagles were cool!

[@matthewkeegan666]

Today I learnt the word "cloche". Very interesting. And, no, I never did French in school.

[@footrotdog]

Did you ever get your Sankara Stone back that went missing in SDCC 2015?

[@l____bugc____l]

Hi Adam! I'm still a bit bummed-out you've never done a special on Draco (designed by none other than Phill Tippett), from the Movie Dragonheart. Probably THE most iconic Dragon ever to excisted of which "Sean Connory" did the voice to give the Dragon life. The way he did this and the way Draco was put to screen was iconic for its time (1996) There was even an auction of Draco maquette's back in 2016 of which MovieProppstore took responsibility.... Till this day there is a huge community around Draco and this classic almost Cult-like movie and "The Old Code" embedded as a red line thru the whole movie.. (magical).. Love you Adam realy do,, but its hard for me to forgive you on this one.. haha Nah just kidding,, but it would be nice to see a special.. i think the movie deserves it after more than 25 years.. 🥰 Just a request from the Netherlands 😍

[@harbl99]

"Mostly I would rather make my own replicas" said Adam, his silence loudly coveting the Book of the Living from _The Mummy_ .

[@falloutpictures]

I remember when you could actually buy props for cheap back in the day. I remember back in the 90's, Disney - MGM Studio actually used to have a prop store where you could purchase movie props and costumes. I was a kid then, but I remember looking though screen used stuff from movies like The 5th Element, and Contact. Only props I have now is used theme park stuff from the parks since some of the stuff is actually useful.

[@viewer-of-content]

Adam ranking Indiana Jones movies: Raiders, Doom, Crusade doesn't mention skull😂

[@warped_rider]

"If you have nothing nice to say..."

[@DarkSideKyp]

@@warped_rider “…then you’d never have a word to say”

[@seanj3667]

touche

[@dmedme9268]

Thanks for the continued amazing content!! :)

[@herojh]

Great questions!

[@7t2z28]

I really feel Adam on the "functionality" aspect. Plus, when you build something, even if it is a copy, it's yours.

[@lordjs9726]

If money was no matter I'd love to have accurate hero-prop quality replicas of the following: Knightrider car ( the original TV series design ), a full Star Trek TNG bridge-set, actual steel King Argaorn Elesar coronations-armor suit, The Kurgan's armor from Highlander and Captain Picard's Starfleet phaser rifle from Star Trek Nemesis. I might know someone who could build the last item on the list for me. Simply need to save up enough money for him to build it for me.

[@groghunter7403]

Oh I am EXCITED about a endo-hand build.

[@MrUnicorn44]

Has it never occurred to Adam to simply get in touch with Matt Winston, Stan's son, and one of the founders of The Stan Winston School of Character Arts? I'm sure he could steer you in the right direction for the archival material required from the first film (just from the website alone - long-time subscriber here - I've seen archival images and footage of a lot of stuff from the days prior to everything being readily available at the click of a mouse button). Legacy Effects founders Shane Mahan, John Rosengrant and Richard Landon - all Stan's 'lifers' - would all have had a hand (pun intended) in not only the design but the fabrication of some of the items he covets. Just a thought ...

[@Iordlangford]

I realy caught that swallow when you said "finish with this mortal coil" I feel ya mate.

[@BearTheRed1]

I love these!

[@WilliamFollett]

So envy of those who get to work for Adam, being able to be around a person such as he is when he freely imparts the wisdom, knowledge from personal experiences must be inspiring. People would pay for that, and here you are getting paid for it. Just saying, your lucky.

[@WalnutandSteel]

I like being the current steward of the 75, 80, 100 years old guns and airguns in my collection. I wish they could tell a story

[@timothycarey3883]

Adam any plans to build some marvel props, the eye of agamoto, or the darkhold would be pretty cool.

[@nathkrupa3463]

Nice Video thanks adam sir.

[@mitchjohnson4970]

I love Raiders of the lost Ark! However, Temple of Doom has grown on me greatly. I would rank Raiders a 12/10 and probably have Temple a 7-8/10. I also refuse to acknowledge Crystal Skull in the Indiana Jones canon.

[@avgrphx]

Adam, with your connection to the "industry" and your Rolodex of makers, do you ever go reaserching down that road? Just reaching out to people who were there or know who was there when certain props were actually being made?

[@AlexRoberts1981]

Great prop from a movie I didn't like? The War robot from the Stallone Judge Dredd movie!

[@SophiaAphrodite]

When I saw the original E.T. animatronics puppet was sold. I assumed you bought it.

[@DecanFrost]

i don't have a machine shop, only small tools but i like buying replicas, then modify them and make them even more awesome/"realistic"

[@friendsmakingmusic1751]

Sankara stones were NOT from Last Crusade!!! But rather from Temple of Doom!

[@seanj3667]

They are from Andor!

[@xGaLoSx]

That's a build I'm excited to see!

[@Pygar2]

I'd love to see a functional 2001 Newspad, or TOS datapad= the one with a Magic Slate inserted to take signatures!

[@allenvasher5358]

Does anyone have the 2 heads of the staff of ra, I just always thought it was 2 different sides

[@criggie]

@8:17 that giggle.... you've piqued my interest !

[@StevenNovak]

The thumbnail looks exactly like a Kwikset boring jig. I recognize it because I'm a locksmith.

[@Ziz62266]

Terminator is 1984. T2 is 1991.

[@yobgodababua1862]

Yeah, I saw T2 in college.

[@tomhorsley6566]

The pigeon wasn't in the window today, I miss it :-).

[@scottmantooth8785]

*if i'm going to make a prop and invest both time and effort into its fabrication i'm going to use it in a way that would reflect how it was intended to function within the setting it was created for (within reason of course)...it's not going to set on a shelf and collect dust*

[@adamgh0]

8:03 It's the Glaive isn't it? I'll bet anything that it's the Glaive.

[@starhawke380]

I was expecting something like, I hated Crystal Skull, but I would love to have an alien crystal skull. "Im not gonna say what prop Im trying to get, because I dont want to get into a bidding war with my viewers!"

[@Raienya]

The stones were from Temple of Doom, not Last Crusade. /headdesk

[@Prop-A]

Googling MacGuffin 🤔 ah haaa. Lets carry on with this adventure 😉

[@MysticJhn]

Am I crazy, or did Adam claim the Sankara Stones were from The Last Crusade?

[@50caliber29]

Yep, noticed it straight away, unforgiveable 😅

[@timothycarey3883]

@@50caliber29 yep they are from temple of doom.

[@Sweetasthesun]

The Terminator (1984) 🥰

[@cmdrcriton]

I would love to make a wearable Roy batty coat .

[@AsAMonkeyInAPinata]

Aren’t the stones from the Temple of Doom?

[@williamwofford2503]

the stones were from temple of doom

[@Xvpurgatory]

Please tell me you getting the Johnny5

[@Pygar2]

Or Robothut's replica!

[@Toxodos]

What an oddly specific question, interesting though

[@Iskelderon]

Buying replicas has its place, but I'd rather have the satisfaction of creating one myself.

[@molekulaTV]

What is a living tissue? (Only funny ideas please!)

[@jasondiasauthorpage615]

Adam has mentally blocked out IJ4. In Raiders, the weird Nazi plane Indy and the giant box around is wonderful. Not a real plane. Based on the experimental aesthetic of the Luftwaffe, looks like it could have been real, isn't. I enjoy it every time I see it.

[@ledzep331]

So we will find out if the Babalfish actually works, as Adam replicates it. With help from new sponsor Rosetta Stone. 😜

[@andycoppes]

"mortal coil" I see you buddy 😎

[@gobboman]

"Hand to people" the endoskeleton hand.

[@smittysbuilds]

Often there is more fun in making something then owning

[@user-dn2vb6vz9x]

Temple of Doom is great

[@ast3663]

T1 is from 1984

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Coolness.

[@deformemvita]

8:18 USCM M314 Motion Tracker?

[@rilloroc]

He's either gonna buy the Nautilus or the Tardis

[@augustonthefly]

Crystal Skull is the best indy movie.

[@GethOverlord]

What car is it? I'm guessing it's an Ecto-1 but I'm %99 it's a robot or a car.

[@TheMimeFromHell]

1984.✌

[@MetalT-800Skull]

Let me know if you need a hand with your Endo arm

[@japewisteria]

Those stones made a surprise appearance in a recent Disney+ series, so they may be older than first suspected... ;)

[@jedifyfe]

Agreed. TOD suuuuuuuuuucks.

[@molekulaTV]

Best is Temple Of Doom (!) The most terrible is the Last Crusade (!)

[@pyrho1]

Woo first!

[@SophiaAphrodite]

Actually no, you aren't

[@TheStockwell]

No. You're at least three quarters of an hour too late. For what it's worth, the whole "First!" thing is genuinely pathetic.

[@clericofchaos1]

So, if you loved raiders so much, how did you feel the first time you realized that Indiana Jones is completely irrelevant to the plot? The best way to describe how i felt would just be...sad.

[@ShaneShuford]

Hey Adam, I'm building something I think you'd be interested in. It combines your love of science, engineering, and fabrication with a practical application that could have a huge impact on the world. I'd love to chat more about it and get your feedback. Let me know if you're interested!

[@jhguitarfreak2172]

The way he rates where the Indy films are is pretty much how I would rate them. Though I would be sacrilegious and put Crystal Skull above Temple of Doom. Crystal Skull, to me, is just more watchable.

[@petarvanj4343]

Boring

[@RadiCalRaCer]

I rented the movie... And made some screen shots... Dude you are a Millionaire buy the Blu ray or at least the dvd