#EmptyCupAwards: Why Do Characters Always Drink From Empty Cups?

Slate2 minutes read

Television shows often use empty coffee cups as props for realism, but actors struggle to make them look convincing, causing a disconnect for viewers. The widespread issue is attributed to practical concerns like potential mess, extra work, and budget constraints in TV production, with the focus remaining on maintaining schedules and budgets rather than realistic portrayals.

Insights

  • Actors often struggle to realistically portray full coffee cups on television shows, creating a noticeable inconsistency for viewers and detracting from the scene's authenticity.
  • The prevalence of empty prop cups in TV shows stems from practical issues like avoiding messes, minimizing workload for props assistants, and staying within budget constraints, highlighting the prioritization of production efficiency over perfecting small details like cup realism.

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Summary

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Empty Coffee Cups in TV Shows: An Issue

  • Television shows often use coffee cups as a way to make scenes seem more realistic, but actors frequently struggle to convincingly portray these cups as full, leading to a disconnect for viewers.
  • The issue of empty prop cups in TV shows is widespread, with examples ranging from basic gravity defiance to entire series like Gilmore Girls featuring extensive coffee consumption.
  • The lack of liquid in prop cups is attributed to practical concerns such as potential mess for actors, extra work for props assistants, and budget constraints in TV production.
  • Despite the annoyance caused by empty cups, the focus of directors, editors, and sound designers is primarily on maintaining production schedules and budgets, rather than ensuring realistic coffee cup portrayals.
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