Meet Stan Yang Tsao | Production Designer & Prop Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stan Yang Tsao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stan Yang, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
In the film art production and props industry, what’s most needed is creativity and the ability to handle special challenges at any moment. Each story is unique, and so are the props and demands that arise from it. Besides designing these props, sometimes the greatest challenge is deciding which technique to use to create them. Many people might think that most movie props come from supermarkets, online purchases, or are hand-carved. While it’s true that many props in film production are sourced this way, as audiences’ aesthetic standards for films increase and more innovative ideas are developed, I must create some special items. These include special effects props like glass bottles used for hitting over the head, breakaway glass windows, rubble that falls after explosions, and knives that can cut skin while also releasing blood. These props often require the use of special materials to ensure both visual authenticity and maximum safety, and sometimes I even need to create custom tools to produce them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After opening my studio, most of my work still involves designing and manufacturing various props or creating sets. Since my childhood, I’ve been interested in different machines and industrial equipment, so I knew how certain things were made and their characteristics. Later, I developed a keen interest in photography and urban exploration, which exposed me to a wide variety of places from different times and cultures around the world. I saw the types of objects that would appear in various locations, which has been incredibly helpful in my current profession. I might not need to spend as much time researching a location or prop mentioned in a script because I may have already encountered it multiple times. This allows me to devote all my time to focusing on creating detailed and innovative designs.

As technology continues to evolve, I have incorporated new techniques into prop making, such as 3D printing and photopolymerization printing. During my extended time at film school, the film projects around me were mostly low-budget student films with little demand for specially made props. In most cases, props were either rented or purchased, and sometimes printing was required. Therefore, the income from these film projects was not sufficient to fund research and upgrades for my equipment. However, recognizing their importance, I personally invested in acquiring some very rare machines at the time to further my studies.

During that period, figuring out exactly which market and target group I should serve was my biggest concern.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Because of my industry, I would first recommend that they visit Burbank or Studio City, which I consider to be the largest hubs of the film industry in the world. Both Warner Bros. and Universal Studios are located in this area, providing a fantastic experience. Secondly, I would suggest visiting the Fashion District or Arts District to explore the interpretations of various cultures or the blend of century-old buildings with modern architecture.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank the independent filmmakers around me who were there at the beginning when I first entered film school. It was they who presented me with various creative ideas and demands. Thanks to filmmakers from around the world, I had the opportunity to hear about and see life scenes and props from various cultures.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stc_production_studio_service/profilecard/?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Image Credits
Stan Yang Tsao