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Post by anneinwa on Mar 16, 2015 2:25:38 GMT
I don't have too many ideas how to start yet. So any suggestions are welcome! I was fortunate to be able to spend some time on the set when Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman was filming. One day I took a picture of a random crate because the address/person it was addressed to struck a chord with me. At the time it was just a 'because' photo. The person had the same name as my mom's maidan name and his street was the same name as the school I was going to. Anyways, came across the photo again today. Totally forgot about it since it was taken (15-18 years ago). Something more was bugging me about the name/address, so I searched the name and city of the person and it turns out he was my great uncle. Even was able to confirm the address... The address never played a part in filming, just the crate as a background prop. So most likely it was an old shipping crate that was close to being authentic for the time period. I am already assuming that it is a very, very long shot to track it down. I know they sold off some props when the show ended, but how can I find out whether the ones that weren't sold (if there were any) went? I envision a warehouse of props waiting to be needed for filming but that might not be how it works. Already exchanged messages with someone who used to work on the set, and she said could not think of a way. Props scattered in many directions when the show ended. I refuse to give up that easy.  It's not life or death or anything, but family are asking if it can be tracked, and I figured it might be worth a try. 3/17 Called CBS this morning. Surprised when a real person picked up instead of a recording. Was transferred and I explained the situation to the gentleman I talked to. He admitted it was a very long shot, but if I was willing to send him an email with the information and the picture, he would forward it to the props department. As I told him, I had to try. If that doesn't work, it's going to be a lot harder to track down from an individual. 3/20 Heard back from the park service today. They were unable to help but she did suggest that I email/call all the prop warehouses in the Los Angeles area. I had figured CBS had their own warehouse , but makes sense that shows would use prop warehouses. It is worth a shot. Sent out 7 emails today, so we will see. 3/23 Received an email from someone who says he was the decorator for the show. He says he remembers buying that box at an antique shop and gave me the name of a prop shop it may have gone to. I don't think it was one I had emailed. I made a call, reached the wrong place, but they must get that a lot because they gave me the correct number lol. I explained the situation the the guy who answered and he wanted me to send the photo. However, he did ask what I was expecting to happen if he did have the crate, and he made it VERY clear he does not sell his props. I told him I was not sure yet. I wasn't sure what our odds were of locating it. I did ask, just to keep the conversation open, if he would allow someone to take photos/rubbing of the address, and he was ok with that. I still don't know if he even has it, but we will see. And if he does, cross the next bridge when we get there. At that point it may be time to pass the torch to another family member. One who lives in SoCal still, and one who is willing to be pushy to see if there is a way of acquiring it. |
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PLurker
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Post by PLurker on Mar 16, 2015 2:29:05 GMT
I don't know how you'd go about it but that is pretty cool. Good luck
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Rainbow
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Post by Rainbow on Mar 16, 2015 2:59:36 GMT
Good luck on your search!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2015 3:05:31 GMT
Maybe find out the studio that shot the show. Like Warner Brothers, Universal, or Paramount? I would think they'd use something like a crate for more than 1 TV show.
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Post by anneinwa on Mar 16, 2015 3:09:51 GMT
Maybe find out the studio that shot the show. Like Warner Brothers, Universal, or Paramount? I would think they'd use something like a crate for more than 1 TV show. That is what I am hoping. I know they still use the set location to film other shows. CBS is what it aired on, but was filmed on location, so no studio on CBSs lot. Not sure if that makes a difference or not. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2015 3:14:48 GMT
Oh, I remember seeing a news story about a place where you can buy things from cancelled TV shows or movie sets. Some place in California. With some googling, I bet you could find the store. It's a long shot, but they might be able to point you in the right direction.
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Post by alissa103 on Mar 16, 2015 3:27:24 GMT
Wow, that's pretty amazing!
Could you call CBS and see if there's some sort of archive where they keep props? And ask to speak to someone? It might just be generic enough that it's in a warehouse somewhere with other crates and boxes and trunks and things from a similar time period to be used by any show needing that kind of thing.
I used to dance (ballet) and I know the company I danced with had a warehouse FULL of costumes and props dating back to the first show they ever performed. It was amazing. It was all catalogued and organized. I'm thinking a studio would keep items like that to use whenever, but I'm just guessing.
If CBS still has it, they will hopefully know where it is, depending on how detailed their record keeping is.
I'd get as much info as you can. Blow up the pic so you can email it to whomever needs to see it, figure out what episode it was so they could look by date, look in your diary to see when exactly you were there etc. get as much info gathered as you can so that it sound like an easy task for someone to look up for you.
I do know someone in the industry in Hollywood, but he works for FOX, so that doesn't help much.
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Post by anneinwa on Mar 17, 2015 18:15:19 GMT
Wow, that's pretty amazing! Could you call CBS and see if there's some sort of archive where they keep props? And ask to speak to someone? It might just be generic enough that it's in a warehouse somewhere with other crates and boxes and trunks and things from a similar time period to be used by any show needing that kind of thing. I used to dance (ballet) and I know the company I danced with had a warehouse FULL of costumes and props dating back to the first show they ever performed. It was amazing. It was all catalogued and organized. I'm thinking a studio would keep items like that to use whenever, but I'm just guessing. If CBS still has it, they will hopefully know where it is, depending on how detailed their record keeping is. I'd get as much info as you can. Blow up the pic so you can email it to whomever needs to see it, figure out what episode it was so they could look by date, look in your diary to see when exactly you were there etc. get as much info gathered as you can so that it sound like an easy task for someone to look up for you. I do know someone in the industry in Hollywood, but he works for FOX, so that doesn't help much. Updated at top. I did talk to CBS and it is in their hands now. Never kept a diary and since I was shooting film, I don't have dates to refer back to. If they need me to, I can narrow it down to a year's time but that probably won't help. I wish I could remember the size of the crate. That would probably be the most helpful. |
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Post by anneinwa on Mar 17, 2015 18:17:43 GMT
Oh, I remember seeing a news story about a place where you can buy things from cancelled TV shows or movie sets. Some place in California. With some googling, I bet you could find the store. It's a long shot, but they might be able to point you in the right direction. There are a couple places like that. I am going to see what CBS says, and then maybe take it to the fans to see if there is any chance one of them bought a crate when the props were sold off. I do wonder if those stores keep any inventory of what they have sold in the past. Will look into that as well. |
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georgiapea
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Post by georgiapea on Mar 17, 2015 19:18:32 GMT
I so hope you are able to locate it!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2015 21:20:29 GMT
The Dr. Quinn show has a crazy fan following. You might post on some of the fan website message boards because undoubtedly, some of those people bought some of the props. Some of the set still exists as a tourist trap. You may see if you can get in touch with whomever manages that actual area out there too.
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Post by anneinwa on Mar 18, 2015 0:21:51 GMT
The Dr. Quinn show has a crazy fan following. You might post on some of the fan website message boards because undoubtedly, some of those people bought some of the props. Some of the set still exists as a tourist trap. You may see if you can get in touch with whomever manages that actual area out there too. That's what I am thinking regarding the fan base. I ended up with some of the props, and I know plenty were bought. Set does still stand. Was out there about a year ago to show my daughter. (Side note was neat to see it on an episode of Firefly. The fact the western set is a staple filming location gives me hope they held onto generic background props. We shall see. Good call about calling the manager of the set. Will have to do some research on that and see what I can turn up. |
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Post by zztop11 on Mar 18, 2015 1:41:13 GMT
That's interesting. I remember years ago my aunt and my mother in law were taking a cruise down the Mississippi River. While touring one of the plantations, my aunt saw a familiar photo. Turned out that someone from her side of the family had lived on this particular plantation and there was a photo of them. Weird stuff happens.
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theshyone
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Post by theshyone on Mar 18, 2015 4:21:29 GMT
This thread is useless without the picture
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Post by stefdesign on Mar 18, 2015 4:24:16 GMT
Paramount Ranch is the film site- as some others mentioned, it's still used for filming and special events. I wonder if there's a chance it's out there in one of the buildings? It's maintained by the Park Service I believe, might be worth looking there.
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Post by anneinwa on Mar 18, 2015 14:35:06 GMT
Paramount Ranch is the film site- as some others mentioned, it's still used for filming and special events. I wonder if there's a chance it's out there in one of the buildings? It's maintained by the Park Service I believe, might be worth looking there. After Jen mentioned it last night, I sent off an email to the NPS. Might look closer at the website and see if I can get in touch with someone just at Paramount Ranch. Even though I clicked through through PRs part of the site, 'contact us' must go back to a main NPS office. Back in the day, this would have been simpler. Knew some of the rangers, knew some of the crew... Not sure what the odds were that I could have walked off the set with it, with permission. I just hope that I get some sort of reply. Even better, if the reply shows me that they are willing to take a look around. |
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Post by anneinwa on Mar 18, 2015 14:39:23 GMT
That's interesting. I remember years ago my aunt and my mother in law were taking a cruise down the Mississippi River. While touring one of the plantations, my aunt saw a familiar photo. Turned out that someone from her side of the family had lived on this particular plantation and there was a photo of them. Weird stuff happens. That is really neat. I love finding out things that I did not know about my family. My husband is currently going through boxes of his family that have been packed for over 10 years... Stuff we knew we had, but weren't sure what was in them. Diaries, newspaper articles... A copy of a 'journal' typed by a young-ish girl as her family settled in the west. My daughter is just soaking that up. It helps that the 'girl' is now over 100, still living, and my daughter has grown up seeing her once every year or two. Puts things more in perspective for her. |
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Post by anneinwa on Mar 20, 2015 21:51:04 GMT
Update in 1st post.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2015 21:52:52 GMT
Thanks for the update. |
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Post by melanell on Mar 22, 2015 0:20:40 GMT
Good luck with your emails!
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Post by anneinwa on Mar 23, 2015 20:50:31 GMT
Another update up top... Hopes are up and down today... But maybe making progress.
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Post by papersilly on Mar 23, 2015 21:33:03 GMT
wow, you made really good progress for something that obscure. good for you! I hope you are able to locate it for sure and at least get a rubbing.
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Post by anonrefugee on Mar 23, 2015 21:38:57 GMT
It's interesting you've made this much progress in such a short time. I hope it's located!
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AmeliaBloomer
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Mar 23, 2015 23:32:12 GMT
That's amazing that you got a call from the show's set director.
Good luck!
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linda~lou
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Post by linda~lou on Mar 24, 2015 2:16:05 GMT
Happy you may have tracked your crate down but I can't believe the guy, knowing the history, would not just give it to you. What could it possibly be worth to him? I really hope you find it and I really hope he has a change of heart and lets you have it. I would certainly expect to pay for shipping but why wouldn't he let you have it knowing it has family ties and means something to you.
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Post by anneinwa on Mar 24, 2015 2:46:19 GMT
Happy you may have tracked your crate down but I can't believe the guy, knowing the history, would not just give it to you. What could it possibly be worth to him? I really hope you find it and I really hope he has a change of heart and lets you have it. I would certainly expect to pay for shipping but why wouldn't he let you have it knowing it has family ties and means something to you. That's what I am having to think about tonight. What is it really worth to me? My family? In the end it is just a crate with an address.. However it's one from the early 1900s. What if he says $500 since he will no longer own it. I honestly never really thought there was a chance it would be located. . |
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linda~lou
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Post by linda~lou on Mar 24, 2015 3:06:20 GMT
Maybe then if he is willing to sell it, talk to family members and ask if they would like to have back in family, maybe everyone could chip in???
It would be so cool to have. I'm obsessed with historical artifacts so I'd love to get it, refurbish and use it as a coffee table!!
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Post by anneinwa on Mar 24, 2015 3:50:07 GMT
Maybe then if he is willing to sell it, talk to family members and ask if they would like to have back in family, maybe everyone could chip in??? It would be so cool to have. I'm obsessed with historical artifacts so I'd love to get it, refurbish and use it as a coffee table!! I like that idea of the coffee table. Not even sure about refurbishing it, but with glass over the top so the address could be seen. Although looking at the larger photo, there are areas I might want to have cleaned up, if they aren't from the time period it was mailed. As for family pitching in, that is a possibility. Too many unknowns at this time. I don't want to go into detail yet, but another email tonight showed me I might have someone on my side who is willing to fight for me. Thankfully, most of the responses have been along the lines of "what an amazing story, sorry we can't help". Might have to have my dad drag out our genealogy book from my mom's side to help me prove it too. |
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Post by jemali on Mar 24, 2015 3:52:46 GMT
I am excited for you! Hoping you are able to locate it!
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dald222
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Post by dald222 on Mar 24, 2015 9:12:13 GMT
that is amazing news to actually talk to the one who bought stuff WOW I can't believe it maybe he said he doesn't sell but maybe once he realized it was your family maybe he will. |
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refupea #245
