SouthEast PROPS
1901-D Blue Clay Road, Wilmington
Number of employees: 2
Year founded: 2010
Top local officials: Matthew Sullivan and Adam Cameron, co-owners
What does the company do? Sullivan: “We provide props and set decorating materials for prop masters and set decorators for [feature] film and television projects. When Adam and I work together on a project, I am the set decorator; he is the lead man (or lead person). He runs our crew of set dressers and takes my direction. I work with the production designer. The designer designs the set, and I figure out what all the elements are going to be.”
Where do you work? Sullivan: “We sometimes work on a sound stage, which is a more controlled environment and which we prefer, but we also shoot exteriors from the beach to downtown, and interiors in restaurants, residences, businesses. We’ve decorated anything from a network of underground tunnels to hospital settings.”
What is your most memorable project? Sullivan: “The Hudsucker Proxy, a film made here by the Coen brothers in the early ’90s. I was the on-set dresser. It was the most well-organized project I’ve ever been part of, and the Coens are the most intelligent filmmakers I’ve ever worked with.”
What was 2021 like for you? Sullivan: “We had our best year in 2021 because the state has finally figured out the incentives program and has reinstated it. There were more films made this past year than in many years. Both Adam and I are members of Local 491 of IATSE [International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees]. Pretty much everyone here is in that union, and they have done a great job of keeping wages up and ensuring benefits, like health insurance.”
Does SouthEast PROPS have any sidelines? Sullivan: “We are open to the public for parties or events, and we rent out props for special events. I’m thinking about doing home consulting as well because I get so many requests to consult on home d cor for people who might like a cinematic take on their house.”
Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a monthly series looking at the people and businesses that are local vendors to the film industry. To be considered for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s Film Focus feature, contact [email protected].
