What do you do when the producers from ABC network ask you to build a gigantic indoor waterslide in their soundstage with two weeks to do it? You say yes and get to work.
We’ve been creating props for years now, but every experience in Hollywood is unique. Our last project was to build a slide for an episode of Modern Family that aired on January 8th, 2020 as part of their final season. In this episode, Alex (Ariel Winter) moves into a new apartment complex with a slew of new amenities, which the rest of her extended family can’t wait to take advantage of. We provided the gigantic water slide that helped Gloria (played by the just-as-stunning-in-person Sofía Vergara) get over her fear of slides in the most dramatic way possible- by riding ours!
Building a larger-than-life slide for television and film is very different from building it for a water park. When working behind the scenes, our priorities need a reboot:
Timing is everything. While in the “real-world” deadlines might be up for discussion, that is not the case in Hollywood. Either get it done on time, or don’t waste theirs.
Safety first, second, third, and maybe even fourth. With less time to plan and some of the most precious cargo in the world (Hello, guest star David Beckham!), every seam, bolt, and flange needs to be extra smooth.
Change. Everything will change. The quicker (and safer) we adapt, the better.
Our goal is to make people happy; something that’s often easy to achieve when your product is the definition of fun for kids and adults alike. When your audience is a props master instead of a crowd of excited children, however, the stakes are a bit higher. We worked hard to make sure everything ran smoothly during the filming process, and were rewarded every time we saw a brief thumbs up from the production team or were featured on Sofía Vergara’s instagram page.
What you see on TV? Well, that’s when the real magic happens.
[Be sure to watch Modern Family on ABC or Hulu!]
