Tonight was the official broadcast premiere of the first two episodes of the new SyFy cable television series “Hollywood Treasure”, featuring Joe Maddalena, Brian Chanes, and the staff of Profiles in History. The reality-based series follows Joe and his efforts to secure important Hollywood memorabilia for his live auction sale events. This will begin a series of regular reviews of each episode, beginning with #101 and #102, following last week’s editorial and preview.
The Original Prop Blog has reported on Profiles in History since the inception of this website in early 2007. As such, some of the intended drama of the series is deflated in that myself and other hobbyists who follow the auctions would know if a certain piece might or might not be consigned based on catalogs and past sales, as well as prices realized, as the material featured in these first two episodes were sold in June.
Those collectors “in the know”, so to say, will likely pick up on the fact that some of the behind the scenes aspects of the show appear to be staged/recreations. Also, as one might expect from television and episodes crafted to fit a “beginning, middle, and end” story arc. One of the mass market audience payoffs of these episodes is to see a handful of pieces from acquisition to authentication to auction and sale, so time is consequently (and understandably) compressed. As seasoned hobbyists know, consignments are secured many months in advance, a printed catalog is produced, printed, and mailed out a month or so in advance, and that is followed by the actual live auction. It will be interesting to see if more “live”, as it happens-style footage and presentation is used as we progress into the season.
The production quality of the show is very impressive. Multiple camera angles, great pacing, excellent editing. The episodes are produced in 30-minute format.
Episode 101: “Let The Bidding Begin” (Premiere Air Date Wednesday, October 27 at 10/9c)
This premiere episode does a really good job of accomplishing many goals within the short length of one episode, from introducing the show, cast, and business of Profiles in History, to taking the viewer step by step through the identification of material, consignment, research/authentication, to sale. It also features a number of encounters with different kinds of individuals – prospective consignors, consignors, customers/buyers, and more. All three Profiles in History locations are featured – the auction house/showroom, the giant warehouses, and the studio.
The primary artifact featured in this episode in an original carpet bag used by Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins. Joe goes to Chicago, Illinois to meet the consignor and his family and learn about how he obtained the piece and where it has been stored all these years. Later in the episode, the staff research and authenticate the piece, employing “screen-matching” with images from the film to match the cut and pattern of the piece. The episode concludes with bidding on the piece and reaction from the consignor. This is entertaining and educational for the audience, who are able to see a streamlined version of events and learn about the process, as well as enjoy the excitement of the outcome at auction.
Joe and Brian also visit U-Pick Parts in Sun Valley to investigate what is at first described as one of the original sharks from Jaws, but is soon determined to be a piece from original molds made for use at Universal Studios for one of their tours. Even as a non-production piece, Joe places high value on the shark, but the owner, Nate Adlin, is not interested in parting with it. This segment conveys the concept that there are interesting pieces in Los Angeles but not everything is always for sale.
Joe also pays a visit to Bobby Causey of Detroit, who is a well-known and respected artist and sculptor in prop collection. Some of his amazing work is showcased, and Joe provides an appraisal of one of his original Batman costumes. Again, this shows another side to the business.
Another aspect is also showcased in this premiere episode – the perspective and experience of collector John Azarian from New Jersey. John visits the Profiles in History showroom to preview two Lost in Space items consigned to the auction, as candidates for his impressive collection. It is fun to therefore be able to vicariously experience the live bidding by John as he participates in the floor bidding for the two pieces he hopes to win at auction. He ultimately has both a loss and a win, which conveys some of the emotion that collectors go through in trying to acquire new pieces for their collections.
Overall, I was really impressed with the breadth and tone of the series. Personally knowing both Joe and Brian fairly well, I think that their true personalities as captured fairly well and they come across as their genuine selves.
Episode 102: “I’ve Got You, My Pretty” (Premiere Air Date Wednesday, October 27 at 10:30/9:30c)
This second episode is the first to feature the introductory sequence for the series, which is compelling and fun; if I were to imagine myself as someone unfamiliar with the hobby, I believe it would capture my interest.
As the follow-up episode, this one forgoes all what as required to establish the basics in the premiere.
The co-lead piece of the second episode is a jacket attributed to use by Bela Lugosi in White Zombie. It is ultimately authenticated as genuine by Marc Wanamaker, a motion picture and television historian, but he determined that it had been modified since the production. As in the first episode, this includes some heated bidding for the item at the conclusion of the episode, and some of the related drama. Collector Ron Magid is introduced as an interested party on this wardrobe piece.
The other primary piece of this episode is a Wicked Witch of the West hat from The Wizard of Oz owned by Sue Palmer of Toledo, Ohio. Joe travels to her home and works with her to convince her to consign the piece to his auction. This segment illustrates a more personal attachment to a prop than was presented in the prior episode. It is explained that Sue paid $30,000 at 21 years ago, and was at least in some part an investment. Ultimately, it sells for $200,000. Joe also explained from his own personal background how he tracked down and met some of the principal actors from Wizard of Oz back in the 70s, as it is his favorite film.
This episode also explains a little more on the purpose of the website, and gives a glimpse of the aftermath of the LOST auction held back in August.
Tracey visits It’s A Wrap to see if she can find any pieces suitable for the auction, which is interesting as it introduces yet another type of source, that is also open to the public.
Joe visits with Colin Green, who serves as an archivist at Sony. Again, this provides yet another type of source for the auction house – material direct from the studio. As a collector who has never been to the archives, it is fun to have a limited tour via the show. Joe takes a look at a vintage I Dream of Jeanie costume as well as one from Bewitched. Joe ultimately takes a filming miniature from Starship Troopers on consignment for the auction. The piece does better than the estimate at auction, and Joe feels that accomplishment will help him build on his relationship with the studio, and consigning additional material in the future.
Joe and Brian later visit with Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island. She shows them some of the things she had saved from her work on the classic television series, including some costumes. Again, this provides yet another side to the business – working with an actor or principal from a production who saved material that they are willing to part with to make available for sale to fans of their work. Ms. Wells also shares some interesting insights into changes in the industry and the kind of wardrobe that was and was not appropriate and permitted decades ago, in contrast to what is standard in this day and age.
As with the first episode , the closer is the auction event, which shows some of the “fireworks” in play with bidding on popular items.
Concluding Thoughts
I think that a lot of ground is covered with just one collective (broadcast) hour of programming with these first two episodes. Someone completely unfamiliar with the hobby would learn quite a bit merely watching these episodes, so I think that this is a tremendous asset for the growth of the field. It has a very positive presentation and creates both interest and excitement about collecting original film and television memorabilia. I’m really interested to see how the show evolves, matures, and grows, and if the format will vary as we progress into future episodes.
Jason DeBord
~
Below is a press release regarding a special promotion related to the new series:
SYFY INVITES FANS TO OWN A PIECE OF THEIR FAVORITE SYFY SHOWS WITH A WEEKLY AUCTION ON SYFY.COM, CELEBRATING THE DEBUT OF HOLLYWOOD TREASURE, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27
Online Auction Kicks Off October 27 With the Chance to Win a Trip to the Battlestar Galactica Exhibit at the Seattle Science Museum
Net Proceeds Go To National Non-Profit KaBOOM! To Provide Innovative Play Equipment To Kids In Need
New York, NY – October 25, 2010 – Iconic pieces and once-in-a-lifetime experiences representing several of Syfy’s hit original series will be offered for bid in an online auction to accompany the October 27 premiere of Syfy’s new reality series, Hollywood Treasure. Net auction proceeds will go towards national non-profit KaBOOM!, which is dedicated to saving play.
Syfy fans can go to www.syfy.com/hollywoodtreasure and bid on seven lots that will be individually featured each week, including wardrobe pieces, autographed memorabilia and themed experience trips.
Keeping with Syfy’s vision to Imagine Greater, all net auction proceeds will go to KaBOOM! to deliver imagination and play back to children and communities in need. KaBOOM! will then use the net proceeds to award Imagination Playground in a Box, designed by David Rockwell. Imagination Playground in a Box is an innovative way for kids to play. With focus on loose parts, Imagination Playground offers a changing array of elements that allows children to constantly reconfigure their environment and to design their own course of play. Giant foam blocks, mats, wagons, fabric and crates overflow with creative potential for children to play, dream, build and explore endless possibilities. Each Imagination Playground in a Box is worth $25,000. For more information about these playgrounds, go to www.imaginationplayground.org.
“This is the first time Syfy has offered these items to fans, who now have an opportunity to enjoy a greater and more tangible experience with their favorite shows while supporting a deserving cause,” said Blake Callaway, Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing, Syfy. “We believe that KaBOOM! does an amazing job of instilling creativity in children through their incredible play spaces. Imagination Playgrounds bring Syfy’s tagline Imagine Greater to life. With our educational system a topic of such prevalent discussion, it is especially meaningful for us to support the imaginative expression of kids.”
Each week throughout the six-week run of Hollywood Treasure, Syfy will present a new item for bid at www.syfy.com/hollywoodtreasure. The auction kicks off on Wednesday, October 27 with the Battlestar Galactica experience package, in which fans can bid to win a trip to see the Battlestar Galactica exhibit at the Seattle Science Museum. The trip will include exclusive access to the Battlestar Galactica ship featured at the exhibit, a VIP experience not offered to regular visitors to the museum, and a visit to the museum vault not open to the public. The package will also include the BlueRay DVD of the entire series.
Syfy.com will roll out a new item each week, including:
- Week 2 (11/3-11/9): A trip to the world-famous Comic Con convention in 2011. The winner will stay at the Solomar Hotel, receive passes to the convention center and get two tickets to Syfy’s exclusive party, the hottest event in town.
- Week 3 (11/10-11/16): From Stargate Universe, a Kino and remote prop, along with a season one DVD set, poster and script signed by the cast.
- Week 4 (11/17-11/23): From Caprica, a screen-worn dress worn by Alessandra Torresani, and a season one DVD set and script signed by the cast.
- Week 5 (11/24-11/30): Pegged to the Hollywood Treasure marathon airing Wednesday, November 24, a trip for two to see Broadway’s Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark, as well as a meet and greet with the cast.
- Week 6 (12/1-12/7): From Warehouse 13, a Farnsworth Communicator, and a season one DVD and script signed by the cast.
- Week 7 (12/8-12/14): From Ghost Hunters, an all-expense paid weekend to Jason and Grant’s haunted bed and breakfast and a ghost hunting kit.
Syfy will provide customized on-air spots, social media presence and online support to drive the promotion.
Syfy debuts its new reality series Hollywood Treasure on Wednesday, October 27 with two back-to-back half-hour episodes at 10:00PM and 10:30PM ET/PT. Hollywood Treasure is a weekly reality series that delves into the intricate world of showbiz and pop culture memorabilia collecting, including science fiction and fantasy props and costumes. The series follows Joe Maddalena, owner of Profiles in History and the world’s largest auctioneer of original movie, television and pop culture collectibles.
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)
About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since 1995, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,800 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including an online community, free online trainings, grants, publications and the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play, which includes Playful City USA and Playmakers – a national network of individual advocates for play. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago and San Mateo, Calif. For more information, visit www.kaboom.org.