How can I create prop reading materials?

[spaceham]

How can I create realistic looking 'fake' reference materials such as newspapers (or just the article), magazine covers, page from a phone book (i.e. Phony ad from yellow pages)? Thanks.

[Alex]

This is a great question because on high-budget productions, they create what they need and they pay people lots of money to do it.

It's all about that close up. You might be able to get away with the real thing in your wide shot, but when push comes to shove, and you need that close-up shot, you don't use the real thing.
(unless you can do a "layover", for example in a phone book, actually layover a fake add over an existing ad, but watch out for telltale signs of
shadows)

Perhaps you can contact Prop housesm,art directors or set decorators who may have previously used items that may work for your purposes.

There is always the standard "work for meals and copy", so someone who wants to get into props, art and set-design work may be willing to do it for your project if they know you will be featuring their work via a close-up shot.

I'd go so far as to guarantee that you will put close-ups in of at least some of what they make for you if it means either a huge discount or for free.

[eddie]

hello
unless you can get someone to do this for you for free it may cost a little bit, but doesnt have to cost much.
Try designing the newspaper article in word, use an exsisting newspaper, or article as a guide. Download any fonts you need.
Then print it off, and photocopy it onto some thinner, more suitable paper from an art shop.

[machead]

I'd recomend Photoshop and an Epson printer.

[ickle_jim]

yeah... just use whatever DTP programs you have, its not hard to fix up something simple like an advert.

[spaceham]

thanks a lot for the help. i'll get off my lazy *** and work on it.