Wesley's Weekly HOW TO: Prop Safe
So you are making a spy caper film, and you need a safe for the secret file/launch codes/microfilm for your agent to crack open with a laser. And/or you really want to pull a Bugs Bunny and drop a safe on your friends head, BUT you realized that REAL safes are expensive and/or dangerously heavy, and you need a prop to fill it's place? Well worry no more, because i'm going to show you how to make you're own prop safe for whatever safey needs you might have.
I started with this shipping box I got at my local Pharmacy store, and popped it open.
I then took some black foamboard that I also picked up.
After I lined up the corners of the foamboard with the edges of the box, I cut off the excess foamboard using a T-Square.
Until it was the same size as the front opening of the box.
Next, I got a cheap locker padlock
I measured the width of the dial.
Then I sketched out the same relative size and shape of the dial out onto the the foamboard.
So I have a slot to put the dial through (you can tape it to the inside of the cover, or cover it with paper, or whatever you want. If you're going to go with a close-up on the inside when you're opening it, you'll probably want to cover it up on the inside of the box with something a little more significant than just duct tape.
I then took a toliet paper tube, and I cut off a segment off of the end.
I painted it silver and attached it to the front aroud the dial, to make it look not so naked. You don't have to do it, I just thought it makes the front look better.
I then took the rest of the tube, and I folded it.
Then poked a hole into the front face, making it wide enough for me to stick the end of the folded piece of toliet tube into it.
I then hotglued it into the hole to act as a handle. You could easily modify some kind of cylinder or lever inside that actually operates, but that bumps up the cost, and it makes the build more complicated, and really, just pulling the door out of the way while adding in a unlatching noise will make people think it's an operational handle even if it isn't.
Now, get some of these hinges that are usually used for cabinets or doors.
And attach them to the corner of the door. I used the screws that came along with the hinges, plus a little super glue to help support it. Then I just added a little more paint to touch it up, and there you go, i'm done.
You can also make a shelf inside with some of the extra foam left over, using some hot glue and duct tape. And also make the door thicker by layering more of the foam on the inside, to make it look a bit more substantial.
There you go, it comes down at under a pound or so, and can easily be thrown around or moved around for whatever purposes you need for you film.
wesleys weekly, cartoon, spy, prop safe, strongbox, stolen
Cool, a safe! :D
Good tutorial!
Nice.....
that's great!! i need a safe for my next film!! thank you
Wow. Thats really nice. Another great job wes.
Sweet.
that was cool and safe
Wow, Cool!
Good Job Wess. No spy movie is complete without a safe for the good guy to crack. I love the way you keep coming out with these cheap DIY projects. You are very creative. Keep it up!!!!
This will be a great prop! Thanks Wes!
Its a save way ( or a safe) to make greath things whitout spending eny money
I make whit my frien a 0 dollar budget film and I have all this stuff so thanks
keep going wes
If you don't like how it looks, I am sorry, I try to work as cheaply as possible. If you think you can do better, please, feel free to try, submit it and it could be a Weekend Extra.
Let's not end it in a sour note. I think this looks super awesome. Everytime you do a new project you keep surprising me.
Awesome Job!
Awesome Job!
Another great prop Wes!
great job
everything going well
TO CARBON:
Please understand that the indymogul website is cheap, fun, filmmaking...this is only cheap tutorials, yeah some of wes' tutorials need improvement,but thats what us who make the prop do! He's only helping people out! If u think his shit sucks then make some of ur own and send them in...carbon if i knew u i would shove a real safe up ur ass, cuz i'm sure it's wide enough from all the asskicking and boots up the ass u've gotten!
Good Job WS. You folks at IM ...Cabron needs to be reported. His comments appear to be a threat and could be considered stalking. This could be a problem for those of you posting on here. The FBI needs to see Carbon's postings! It is a shame when you have to see such comments posted on these pages. This appears to be a safety issue.
Nice one Wes,
AlyS i wouldn't worry about it, Cabron isn't dangerous to anyone on this site, he's just a prick, however i would consider trying to ban him from posting on the indy mogul website 'cos nobody (especially not Wes) needs some fucktard coming on here and telling them they suck.
He asks Wes if he's ever made a movie, well here's a question for you Cabron; have you ever made any friends?
Good job, Wes. Nice safe build and a good handling of that Cabron he/she/it.
it looks pretty good, as a suggestion for improvement I'd use 1 inch foam insulation board to make it look thicker and more realistic.
Yea, thicker foam would definitely look better, especially for bigger heavier safes. This foam board is just cheaper and easier to find (for me at least), plus you can double it up to make it look thicker.
Awesome thanks Wes, i was going to make a video using one, thats a bunch of help. This blog is VERY HELPFUL, THANKS!
How would you make a safe with three handles on the dial. I'm making a movie where there is a giant safe (like as big as a person) and i'm going to greenscreen it in behind them. but most giant safes don't have little bike locks on them so =(
and who the heck is carbon?