Magical Homemade Props Brought to Life by Dedicated “Harry Potter” Fan

by · August 2, 2021

Not only are props an essential part of any movie, but they can also be a great way for film fans to express their love for such movies. One very experienced prop maker from Rhode Island takes the skill to another level. Corinne Adams is a passionate prop designer, and her creations look like they just appeared right out of the Harry Potter movies.

Many of her creations err on the side of spooky, which makes for some great Halloween decorations. Adams says when she starts a new project, there’s a certain level of research and design that goes into creating a new prop. The goal, of course, is the authenticity of the finished piece.

 

Several props on display created by Corinne Adams.

Credit: Corinne Adams

 

When I want [to] make a prop I research everything about it. The mandrake root baby, for instance. I read about them, but then I looked at images online and in books and chose how I’d like to see it – grouchy, kind of mean! To make it look authentic when copying an existing piece, I keep a picture right in front of me when sculpting.

Some of the many Harry Potter-themed props to come from the mind of Adams include baby mandrake plants, shrunken heads, spell books, skeletons, and a grindylow. Of all the projects, Adams says the ones that took the longest were the 13 shrunken head figures.

 

Baby Mandrake prop.

Credit: Corinne Adams

 

13 shrunken heads took the longest. It was still a lot of fun! They all looked different, so I was never bored, but it was time[-]consuming. Since making an indoor Halloween display in our basement, I also painted the floor faux Belgium block, which took 24 days – my biggest ‘canvas’ to date.

The Halloween display is another continuing project for Adams and her husband. Her props are displayed during the spooky season in their home for trick-or-treaters. The display features a realistic Borgin and Burkes shop window front.

 

Display created by Corinne Adams.

Credit: Corinne Adams

 

And even after all the wonderful projects she’s completed, Corinne Adams doesn’t have a favorite one.

I have no favorite – they were all fun to make. I just hope I don’t run out of ideas! We only have so much room, so I keep most of them on the ‘small’ side.

Ever since she watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone for the first time, Adams was hooked. She says her journey with Harry Potter has yet to end, and we sure hope it never does because her creations are just as magical as the originals are in the films. The passionate artist, a proud member of Slytherin House, had this to say about her Harry Potter experiences:

I absolutely love the first book and movie, Sorcerer’s Stone. I think it’s because when I saw this movie with my sister, I fell so hard for the whole story line I have never looked back once! I was an immediate fan. The magic is all new and fresh for the unaware Harry – you just know the adventures are going to be awesome.

MuggleNet would like to extend a special thank you to Corinne Adams for sharing her prop designs. If you have a creation you’d like to be featured, email all relevant information to submissions@staff.mugglenet.com.

Full Transcript with Corinne Adams, Saturday, July 31, 2021

For clarification, what is your name and where are you from?

I'm Corinne Adams, I am originally from NJ but ended up in Rhode Island after several moves.

How did you start getting into prop making?

I have a degree in Fine Arts and love the challenge of making an interesting prop. (My speciality [sic] is spooky stuff, so Potter is right up my alley!) I would want some creature or character and not being able to find it online I'd try making it. This solution worked, as in a house elf! I wanted one big enough for my Halloween display (which is Knockturn Alley.). That's how "Kreacher" came about!

When you want to start working on a prop, what kind of research do you do? Is there a trick to getting the prop to look as authentic as possible?

When I want [to] make a prop, I research everything about it. The mandrake root baby, for instance. I read about them, but then I looked at images online and in books and chose how I'd like to see it - grouchy, kind of mean! To make it look authentic when copying an existing piece I keep a picture right in front of me when sculpting.

Which of your projects took the longest to complete? Was there one in particular that was hard to work on?

13 shrunken heads took the longest. It was still a lot of fun! They all looked different, so I was never bored, but it was time[-]consuming. Since making an indoor Halloween display in our basement, I also painted the floor faux Belgium block, which took 24 days - my biggest "canvas" to date. (I admit that sometimes it's just easier to buy something already available and perfect like the Cornish [b]lue [p]ixies. I painted a bird cage [sic] black and stuck a few in - done!) Tom Riddle's diary was interesting since I like to make them from old books (as gifts for friends.). But I finally took my Noble [C]ollection diary and transformed it into the beat[-]up cursed diary, and I have no regrets - it looks really scary and authentic.

How many props in total have you completed?

I have quite a few - Kreacher, one "mounted" house elf head, 13 shrunken heads, also One shrunken head (to touch and see not in the locked window cabinet), one Grindylow, one garden gnome, one mandrake baby, 1 1/2 Monster book of monsters, (LOL), one dementor, one Hand of Glory, many "aged" skeletons...lots of signs. (My husband builds the 18th[-] century buildings for the Alley, and I paint them and letter the signs.) I lost count on the props.

Do you have plans to create more?

I'd love to make more for my Halloween display...I have plans to make a "Nargle" next! Maybe a Kneazle!

What's been your favorite prop to work on?

I have no favorite - they were all fun to make. I just hope I don't run out of ideas! We only have so much room, so I keep most of them on the "small" side.

Do you display your projects anywhere?

I only display them at Halloween for trick[-]or[-]treaters. I also make faux Harry Potter books, paper wands, and other little items to give to Potter fans at the school where I work!

What is your favorite book/movie?

I absolutely love the first book and movie, Sorcerer's Stone. I think it's because when I saw this movie with my sister, I fell so hard for the whole story line I have never looked back once! I was an immediate fan. The magic is all new and fresh for the unaware Harry - you just know the adventures are going to be awesome.

What is your Hogwarts House?

Need you ask? Slytherin of course! (There are a lot of great wizards from Slytherin, terrible yes, but great!)

 

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