Arts and Culture

WATCH: Get up close and personal with ‘danger’ in this KFX display

Real props from award-winning show part of weekend expo

  • Collection from Empire Movie Memorabilia
  • Some props have been on-screen
  • Display is part of Kelowna Fan Experience

A local prop collector is sharing his love for film and TV with guests attending Kelowna Fan Experience (KFX) this weekend.

In the Delta Grand hotel, Richard Johns from Empire Movie Memorabilia, has a large Breaking Bad display featuring actual outfits and props from the hit AMC show.

“The best part is when they’re done, and people are standing there and getting their pictures taken with the props,” he told Kelowna10. “Being able to share that with other people, that’s what I like.”

The large display has items from three iconic scenes from Breaking Bad, including a drug lab, prison, and the Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant.

“I watched one episode and it was so addictive, I watched them all,” he said. “Then I thought, ‘now I need some props from Breaking Bad.’”

Each section has props used in the show and various clothing items that were worn on screen. He made custom mannequins that look similar to the on-screen counterparts for inside the displays to give an immersive experience for fans.

Johns began his journey years ago, collecting autographed pictures of movie stars and small props. It wasn’t until he purchased a large gold panel from Ra’s ship from the 1994 film, Stargate, that his collection really took off.

“I got a couple more Stargate [props], then Terminator, then Star Wars, and every movie that I liked I had to get a prop from,” Johns explained. “Twenty-five years later, I have a collection of over 500 personal props.”

Johns said the most important part about collecting props is actually loving movies and TV shows, and then building trust, since lots of props can be fake. Over the years, he has built connections with people in studios in Hollywood, Vancouver, and London.

“A lot of people can identify with movies, [they] make you feel good, sad, or angry, and you pick up on those emotions,” he said.

“So, to have a prop from a movie that gives you good vibes and good emotions, it’s really cool to have.”

The display is part of KFX which will be hosted at various venues in downtown from July 15 to 17.

Published 2022-07-16 by Jordan Brenda

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