How is this usually used? Do productions rent the parts to build more complete props, like a full plane interior, then tear it down and return the individual parts? Inventory control would seem very complicated!
How is this usually used? Do productions rent the parts to build more complete props, like a full plane interior, then tear it down and return the individual parts? Inventory control would seem very complicated!
These individual parts are likely used to build larger props that a production can't otherwise acquire. For example, assembling a cyberpunk plane interior, or the control panel in a time machine.
They can also be scattered around a set where those individual parts would belong (like a mechanic's studio) to make the space feel real and lived-in.
Lastly, they can be used for close-up shots (with just a little bit of production design built up around them). This is a lot cheaper than renting an entire interior.
But for anything larger, what generally happens is some sort of overall deal is worked out, which covers a large swath of props. Like “airplane set pieces” for $X and then the prop house just tracks what from that category is actually used. That also covers replacements or trades on the day of shooting. Much simpler for all involved, and it “feels” like a discount.
You won't find it so much any longer, but there was a time in the early 2000s when some major Hollywood props were still available for rental at prop houses. You know how art masterpieces go missing and you wonder who has them hung on their walls to show guests? Well, there are a bunch of people who are now highly respected in Hollywood who took advantage of the rental deposits to "borrow" very famous props and then "lose" them during film productions and they can now only be seen if you know the right people ;)
Amusingly, their video showing their aircraft interiors displays "This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated."[1] They probably have full authorization to show clips from some movie, but YouTube doesn't recognize that.