More cool prop pics after the jump…

LG MOBILE PHONES CELEBRATES IRON MAN 2, THE LAUNCH OF LG ALLY AND THE FUTURE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Event in NYC showcased LG’s new “Stark-worthy” Android device, futuristic concept phones and Iron Man 2 augmented reality applications

New York – May 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A, Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) and box office hit Iron Man 2 joined forces last night to celebrate the release of LG’s first Android handset, LG Ally. The event showcased the new LG Ally handset, innovative futuristic concept phones from the LG Design of the Future Challenge, augmented reality experiences, and the chance to meet world-renowned prop master Russell Bobbitt, who created the props for Iron Man and Iron Man 2. Industry executives and technology enthusiasts arrived at Twelve21 in New York City to attend the event and explore what makes LG Ally a truly “Stark-worthy” product. Featuring a full slide out QWERTY keyboard and front touch screen, Ally also boasts an optional augmented reality application. Consumers who purchase Ally will be able to download this exclusive application as well as never before seen Iron Man 2 content at www.lgim2.com or by texting 95173 from their mobile phone. Guests at the event also experienced a 3-D prototype mock-up of the LG Design the Future Challenge Prop Master’s Choice Award which was presented by Bobbitt. Additional film props, such as the futuristic Iron Man Mark VI suit, were also on hand at the event to engage attendees in a world of innovation and endless possibilities. The culmination of yet another successful partnership between LG and the Iron Man franchise, other elements of the collaboration included a multi-faceted marketing campaign designed to highlight how technology can bring people together and make everyone a modern day Super Hero. Incorporating an advertising campaign featuring a super-hero-themed television commercial, in-store and gift-with-purchase promotions, and a movie-themed microsite, LG’s multi-platform initiative inspires movie fans and gadget gurus alike to bring the power of an LG Android device and Augmented Reality to life.

Designers nationwide get a chance to define the future of mobile communication

Contestants to Compete for More Than $80,000 in Prizes

New “Prop Master’s Choice” Award Adds a Dose of Hollywood Allure to the Competition

SAN DIEGO – March 15, 2010 - LG Mobile Phones, the fastest growing mobile phone brand in North America, is partnering with crowdSPRING, an online marketplace for creative services, and Autodesk, a leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software, to hold an innovative competition to define the future of mobile communication.  Starting today, LG Mobile Phones will give consumers the chance to design their vision of the next revolutionary LG mobile phone and compete for more than $80,000 in prizes.

The competition will award over 40 winners.  The first place winner will be awarded $20,000, one Wacom Intuos4 medium tablet, and Autodesk industrial design software.  The second place winner will be awarded $10,000 and Autodesk SketchBook Pro software, and the third place winner will be awarded $5,000 and Autodesk SketchBook Pro software.  To reward as many people as possible in the name of creativity, LG will also be giving out a whopping 37 honorable mentions at $1,000 each!  This year’s competition marks the inaugural participation of Russell Bobbitt, a world-renowned, award-winning movie Property Master. Bobbitt has worked on a variety of visually stunning films such as Star Trek, Iron Man and Iron Man 2™.  He recently received the prestigious “Behind the Camera” Property Master award for his work on the first Iron Man film.  Bobbitt will serve as a guest judge to reward one contestant’s cutting-edge design with the Prop Master’s Choice award.  The contestant’s design will then be created into a non-working mock-up that could wind up in Bobbitt’s next blockbuster film.  The Prop Master’s Choice winner will also receive $3,000 plus Autodesk SketchBook Pro software.

“We’re very excited about this competition because it gives consumers and design enthusiasts all a chance to exercise their creative imaginations and have their ideas be heard,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, V.P. of product strategy and marketing for LG Electronics MobileComm, U.S.A, Inc.  “You don’t have to work for LG to make an impact on the future of mobile phones.”

Autodesk will supply participants with a free 15-day trial of SketchBook Pro, a paint and drawing application for use on the Mac or PC.  It offers an intuitive, streamlined user interface so even new users can be productive within minutes. The 15-day trial will give all competitors access to industry-leading professional design software and levels the playing field for professional and amateur designers alike to create the phone of their dreams.

“We’re thrilled to partner with LG and Autodesk on this innovative design challenge. The challenge represents the real power of crowdsourcing – by allowing anyone to have the opportunity to design the next generation mobile phone for a global leader,” said Ross Kimbarovsky, co-founder of crowdSPRING.  With a pool of over 55,000 designers and writers in more than 170 countries, crowdSPRING is one of the world’s largest creative communities and is an open platform where anyone can post projects or submit entries. Both seasoned and aspiring designers can submit their entries until April 26^th atwww.crowdspring.com/LG.

Competition Details

Eligibility: Any U.S. resident (citizen or green card holder) that is 18 years (or age of majority in state of residence) and older

Start and End Dates: The competition begins on March 15, 2010, at 12 a.m. PST and ends on April 26, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. PST

Winners will be announced on May 14, 2010 at www.crowdspring.com/LG/winners.

Prizes:

• First Place: $20,000 Cash Award + 1 Wacom Intuos4 medium tablet (ARV of $349) + Autodesk industrial design software (ARV of $500)
• Second Place: $10,000 Cash Award + Autodesk SketchBook Pro software (ARV of $100)
• Third Place: $5,000 Cash Award + Autodesk SketchBook Pro software (ARV of $100)
• Prop Master’s Choice: $3,000 Cash Award + Autodesk SketchBook Pro software (ARV of $100) + 1 non-working concept mock-up creation (ARV of $4,000)
• 37 Honorable Mentions: $1,000 Cash Award

Official rules can be found at www.crowdspring.com/LG.  NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

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About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company

LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communication and information company. LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world with its cutting-edge technology and innovative handset design capabilities. Increasingly, LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products. LG will continue to take leadership in the mobile communication environment with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lgmobilephones.com.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 84,000 people working in 115 operations including 84 subsidiaries around the world. With 2009 global sales of USD43.4 billion, LG is comprised of five business units –- Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is the world’s leading producer of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula One™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visitwww.lgusa.com.

About crowdSPRING

crowdSPRING is an online marketplace for creative services ranging from graphic, web and industrial design to writing services. For buyers, crowdSPRING is a place to post a creative project, watch the world contribute ideas and choose the best. For creatives, crowdSPRING is a global stage for creativity where title and experience don’t matter.  crowdSPRING is a privately held company based in Chicago. For more information, visit www.crowdspring.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software to help customers experience their ideas digitally before they are built. Fortune 100 companies – as well as the last 15 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects – use Autodesk software tools to design, visualize and simulate their ideas to save time and money, enhance quality, and foster innovation for competitive advantage. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, and SketchBook are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

After two successful runs with Marvel, Bobbitt gets invited back for one more in the series of exciting Marvel endeavors. “Can’t say much now, but it is looking good. Cool props.”

Written by Demetria Dixon

Property Master, Russell Bobbitt on the set of "The Flinstones"

What do “Star Trek,” Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2,” “The Hangover,” and the latest Marvel property slated for the big screen“THOR,” all have in common? They all feature the consummate artistry of Property Master, Russell Bobbitt.

Chances are, that unless you’re a film buff or an industry insider, you may never have heard Russell Bobbitt’s name but you’ve seen his work in over 50 feature films. Bobbitt’s work ethic, attention to detail and craftsmanship have earned him numerous accolades. Most recently he was feted with Hamilton Watches, “Behind the Camera Award” for his work on “Iron Man”. Hamilton, in association with Hollywood life Magazine gives the “Behind the Camera” award annually. According to Hollywood Life Magazine, honorees are selected for their “Attention to detail in their craft, their devotion to their projects, and their grace under pressure.” Fresh from the wrap of “Iron Man 2,” Russell took time out to sit and talk with me about what a feature film Property Master does and what it’s been like to work on some of the biggest films with many of the biggest names in cinema.

Q Russell first of all, I’m honored that you’d take time out of your family time to chat with us about what you do.
A I’m honored that you would ask me. Thank you. The truth is I’m just a guy who is blessed to get to do a job that I love and as a bonus I get to hang out with some pretty cool people.

Q How did you get into the movie business?
A My mom was dating a set decorator. His name is Bob Gould. During that time our house burned down and we were literally left with nothing. Bob said, “Hey why don’t you come and work with me? You can earn some money to put some clothes on your back.”  I worked hard for 3 weeks and made about $1,000.00.

Q Did you have any idea this was the beginning of your career?

A I really had no idea that it was the start of a career at all. That was in 1981, and since then I’ve only been out of work for about 3 weeks.

Q Tell me about your career progression.

A As I mentioned, I started in set decorating department. Shortly thereafter I met Property Master Doug Fox. He recognized my work ethic and invited me to join him in the Property Department.  It was on a film called “Road Trip” (not the recent one). I ended up assisting him for two years. The Property Master maintains a separate budget. Doug sat me down and showed me his budget. I understood it and finally I could see how everything worked. I also had the drive to do it. I really took to it early on and I liked it enough to continue. Now I’ll never hire anyone who’s just in [the job] for the money. If you come and work for me, I want to know you have a passion for what you do. That’s the only way it works consistently.

Q Working on the “Iron Man” franchise and the new “Star Trek,” I imagine attending Comic-Con is pretty big deal? Did you get a chance to attend this year? Also how have the fans reacted to the new “Star Trek” items like the Phaser and the Communicator?

A: Comic-Con is about the fans. Everyone is excited to be there and they are genuinely interested to see how true we’ve stayed to the lore of the comic book. It’s a fine line because we have to try and please those die hard fans but we also want something that seems new and innovative. Comic-Con is a win-win for the fans and the production. I didn’t attend this [past] year but Iron man was represented by four or five “Iron Man” suits. Jon Favreau, the director, went and met with all the fans. There was also a teaser trailer for “Iron Man 2”, which was very well received. With “Star Trek” there were different concerns to address [like] how to appease the fans, the director and the actors. What makes the fans happy is everything “1960’s Star Trek.” My challenge [as the property Master] is how to take those props and make them cool. Then it hit me. We all have them with us everyday. The cell phone. How do I take [the cell phone] to another level? I made a hybrid that made everyone happy.

Q: So people do take you to task if they think you missed the mark?
A: People do call me. Part of that also has to do with the fact that I don’t mind answering their questions. But, for the most part, the fans have been really complementary about the updates to the “Star Trek” props.

Q: How true did you have to stay to the “Iron Man” comic books to appease the hardcore, Marvel fans?
A: There were Marvel reps on set to make sure we were staying true to the material. However, we had to adapt some things to enhance the movie’s appeal and give the movie going public, the eye candy they require.

Q: I understand security was really tight on the “Iron Man 2” set?

A: There was high security, but that is true of all the Marvel properties. While security was tight, the atmosphere was a little more relaxed than the first “Iron Man.” We had a lot of security protocols. Everyone had three ID badges that determined who had access to what parts of the set. During big background scenes we had to confiscate everyone’s cell phone. For phones used in scenes we had to number each one and no one could be released from the set until every phone was accounted for. I went through and downloaded some 400 photos from the prop phones. 200 of the photos were of Robert Downey. The security measures seem stringent but they are for the benefit of the fans and the studio. I mean, the studio wants to release a film that is exciting and timely.

Q: How important is the team that you work with? Do you have a core team that you work with consistently?

A: Yes, I have about six people that I work with on regular basis. They are my core team. However during the large scale building, manufacturing and designing, we have somewhere around 120 people. There are draftsmen, mold makers and painters, etc. During this phase everyone is extremely critical in helping me bring the filmmakers vision to the screen. My core team helps me, physically, get everything coordinated and maintained. They also help keep continuity and make sure that everything matches from scene to scene. Each has a their own niche within the team. I try very hard to keep the same people . I’m one of the lucky ones. I keep people pretty busy.

Q: To what do you attribute your success?

A: First of all, I’m very, very lucky. I landed in the right place at the right time. That’s my modest answer. The reason is, that I’m a Prop master who likes to stay on the set. Many Property Masters prepare the props but they don’t spend time on the set. They send their team. I’m very hands on. I provide a quality service. That’s why I get called back I’ve learned to anticipate and intuit what’s needed.  I have a story that shows why this is important. It illustrates how you make an impression in this business. I was working on “Guilty By Suspicion” with Robert Deniro. In the movie, he plays a Hollywood director in 1954. In a scene he has to buy a cop of coffee. I went to this coin shop and purchased coins from 1954. After about the seventh take, Deniro looks down at the money. He stops the scene and makes an announcement to the effect of, “This is amazing. All my coins are from 1954.” He remembered that. The fact that I took that extra step. He hired me to do “The Good Shepherd” with Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon because he remembered that.

Mine is a hands on manufacturing job. It’s imperative that I know where to get what I need. I call it the “10 minute challenge.” If I can’t do something, I can find someone who can do it within 10 minutes. It’s a collaborative effort. In any creative business, if you understand how to use the talented people around you, then you end up with a much better product.

Q;What is it like working with some of the biggest names in the known universe? Do you get starstruck or is it just another day at the office?

A;After awhile it becomes just another day at the office. Of course you become starstruck. For me it was working with Robert Deniro. Within a few minutes it passes. They are human. They are going to lay their heads down on a pillow very similar to the one I’ll lay my head down on. I work first hand with these actors on a daily basis. The more human you treat them, the more comfortable they will be with you. I am very fortunate, I get to work with these guys while a lot of people are going to jobs they hate. I completely appreciate what I have. It hits me sometimes. It’s a very satisfying life.

Q: You work in a variety of genres. What do you do differently for a movie like “The Hangover?”

A: All stories differ from one another. You certainly have to dive deep into the genre of film you are working on.  Films like “The Hangover”  (comedy) present many challenges in that there are many site gags. For instance there is a scene where kids shoot stun guns at other human beings. Clearly we would not do something like this without making it safe for the actors. One of my responsibilities is to design a safe, but realistic, way of pictorially portraying that scenario. So I go to the drawing board and figure it out how. Rubber darts flying from the stun gun, lights that appear to be electrodes but are actually harmless, versions of darts that we glue to the actor with hypoallergenic glues to make them look like the are stuck into his head, Child friendly projectiles, etc. Watch The Hangover and you will see the gag I am referring to.

Q: Do you have any humorous Prop stories?

A: Yes, I do but most of the best one’s I can’t repeat. Oh I do have one. In Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” by director Francis Ford Coppola, Sadie Frost had to make love to a wolf that turns into a man. They had this wolf puppet costume, and someone had to wear it and puppeteer the wolfs head. They chose me. So I’m in bed with Sadie Frost wearing this wolf costume. I’m sweaty and hot moving my head around like I assume a wolf making love would while turning into a man would. Lets just say that things got real hot, real fast. After-all it gets hot in wolf costumes

Q: You’re kind of a renaissance guy. I know you also do beautiful die cut iron artwork. How did you get started with that?

A: You’re only as good as your tools. For my work, I have a workshop and I have a c n c plasma cutter. It cuts steel. in between films, I get bored. I try to keep my creativity active. If you don’t continually use your creativity it’ll fall asleep. I was just messing around with the plasma cutter and thought to play with some cool shapes. I threw the pieces into the machine and liked what came out. It started out as a hobby, but people saw them and liked them. After the pieces are completed, there is no paint or stain applied. I treat each piece with natural minerals. The reactions of the minerals with the steel results in different color gradations. I sell mostly to other people in the industry.

Q: You’ve also tried your hand at producing with the film, “Mama Dolly” and a series of professional development DVD’s ["How 2 Make it in Film and Television" and "How 2 Make it as an Actor" hosted by Chris Harrison]
A: “Mama Dolly”* was a short film I shot with Zelda Rubinstein. She played “Mama Dolly”. It’s about this woman who went fishing everyday in the hope of finally landing the ‘big catch.’ *Mama Dolly won the HardAcre Film Festival’s Award for Best Comedy Short Film in 2006.

I also wrote, produced and directed the “How 2″ DVD’s. They were created to help people interested in getting into the film and television business.  We interviewed award-winning actors [Jason Bateman, Dennis Haysbert], directors [Brian Levant], producers [Stuart Cornfield], costume designers, make-up artists and other crew about [their jobs] and pointers for getting started in their line of work and about how to have longevity in the business. They were both really great and very informative, but expensive to make. Although, we made the series in 2004 the information is timeless. If your readers are interested in obtaining copies of these, have them contact me on my website.

Q: So what’s up next for you?
A: I’ve got several things going. I’m currently working on the new Marvel project and may be working with both Todd Phillips and Jon Favreau again.

Q: For those who are interested in the business can you tell me what a Property Master, isn’t?
A: There’s a very thin line, between the Property Master and the Costume Designer. I do watches, rings and sunglasses for men, while the costume designer is responsible for those items for the women. There is also a thin line between what I do and what the set decorator does. I handle everything the actor touches: glassware, fake ice, trays, food. But I don’t do the chairs or tables.

Q: Let me take you back a bit. Share with me when you first knew that you might be a gadget guru?
A: It would have to be a day when I was 6 years old and had recently acquired my first real tool box. I look over at a spinning record player (that is how we used to listen to music) and I was so intrigued by the movement of the machine. My curiosity took over as I proceeded to take it apart piece by piece. I needed to know how it worked. That is not the moment of inspiration…Yet. The moment of inspiration was when my mother walked into the room to see “her” record player sitting on the floor in approximately 225 pieces and exclaimed “PUT THAT BACK TOGETHER, RIGHT NOW” and so I did. Piece by piece. And at the end of a 20 minute reconstruction period, it worked. I didn’t know then that I would become a Property Master. But I did know that If I set my mind to it, I could do anything. So looking back, that may have been a turning point that may have lead me here today. Thanks Mom

Q: I met you through you wife, Tracy and I’m a sucker for a good love story. Tell me how you two met.

A: Prior to our meeting she’d quit her job as a gun toting private investigator and was looking for work. I was working on “Sgt Bilko” at the time. Tracy’s friend who owned an extras casting company brought her in to work and she was cast as a cocktail waitress. [Tracy] had this beautiful, long blond hair. Of course as the Prop Master, I was in charge of providing the prop trays and drinks. I saw her and immediately thought she was way out of my league. She was uncommonly beautiful and we were working together shooting this scene for about three days. When the scene was almost over and we were going to be moving on, I knew I had to do something. I handed her the last drink for the scene, and said something like, “I’ve got to ask you a question.. Are you at all attracted to me?” She said yes, and I responded that we should start dating or whatever you do next. As it turned out, she was about to leave for Chicago. I told her “You can’t just leave for a week like this.” I went over to her apartment that evening and we talked all night. When she returned we started dating and we’ve been married 14 years.

Q: Your daughter Jordan is in the business. Were you supportive?
A: I am now, but I held her back for a long time. I know the pitfalls in this business and I also know what goes on, on sets. Finally she came to us and told us it was what she wanted and she was willing to put in the work to be good at it and she has. She’s studied at the Lee Strasberg studios in New York and Los Angeles. She got a role in “The Hangover” as well as a scene in “Iron Man 2.”  She’s serious about her craft and I am supportive of that.