The Secret Life of Props explores the hidden world behind some of cinema’s most recognisable objects, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship and history that help bring stories to life on screen. At the centre of the film is the extraordinary archive of the Eccentric Trading Company, whose collection of film props spans decades of major productions.

For nearly forty years, the Jordan family have operated what is often described as a “warehouse of wonders”, supplying the film industry with distinctive pieces that shape the tone and authenticity of a scene. Their catalogue ranges from European sculptures to vintage Louis Vuitton luggage, each object carrying its own cinematic history.

The brief for the film was to highlight a selection of props that were due to be auctioned by Lyon & Turnbull. From a production perspective, the challenge was that we were unable to explicitly reference the films or television shows these props originally appeared in. Instead, the creative relied on carefully designed sets, lighting and visual cues to subtly evoke the cinematic worlds they belonged to. By constructing environments that felt tonally aligned with those stories, the film allowed audiences to intuitively recognise the heritage of the props without ever directly naming their origins.