Explaining the Annoying Empty Cups in Movies and TV

Scott and some fellow Prop Masters discuss the startling problem of empty coffee cups in movies and TV shows.

Special Thanks to our prop master friends:

Marrissa Bergman
Jason Hammond
Dean Goodine
Heidi Koleto

Source Vids:
@TheCaveCast
@lackofgenius6972
@freshperspective9944
@daneyoshida

[vayne]

I'll never forget, watching "Scrubs, " JD walks in carrying a paper bag, unrolls the top and pulls out 2 coffee cups like that is a way humans transport coffee.

[AndyLundell]

A couple of those people seemed to think the problem was just actors not tipping the cup, but it's more than that. It's the mass. A hand with no weight moves differently than a hand that's holding weight. Like lifting an empty cardboard box. Or in an old TV show where someone picks up a boulder made of foam. You can tell.

[KaeWinters]

I was an extra for a few years, and when we did scenes where we all needed drinks, they'd have a prop table covered in beer bottles and wine and cocktail glasses (all plastic of course) and told us to grab one and put it back in the same labeled space if we went to holding, so we knew what to grab again for the next shot. Beer bottles got regular water, anything else got water with some food dye in it, and we were asked not to drink any so the liquid level didn't change. The worst sets were the ones that handed us empty bottles and cups, for all the reasons outlined here, but the absolute best was one that was shooting outside in 90F+ weather and they not only gave us water cups, but encouraged us to drink and came around with pitchers to refill them regularly.

[stoatystoat]

Have you ever given an actor an empty cup?
1:31 "Yeah... Once when I was young. I needed the money" 😂

[InjuredRobot.]

New Oscar category : Best pretending there is something in their empty coffee cup = problem solved.

[cheydinal]

If only the people holding the coffee cup were trained in pretending something is different than it actually is

[AFloridaSon]

Using ziplock bags, can't trust them with anything that might stain, all kinds of precautions. It sounds like prop masters and kindergarten teachers have a lot in common. 😅

[BlueSOF]

This has long been a pet peeve of mine. I’ve even seen shows where the actor sets the cup down hard enough that it’s picked up by the dialog mic. I’ve always wondered why they didn’t just put some water in the cup, but then I thought they should make a dark-colored solid rubber insert molded to the shape of the cup that can be dropped in to give the cup mass and mute the sound.

[JunkyardBashSteve]

this actually made me think back on the show Firefly, and I can't recall a scene where an actor faked a food or drink. Cups always had liquid, plates always had food, and actors always took real bites. Great attention to detail. That's why it's my favorite show.

[JayMaverick]

And the empty boxes. Once you notice all the boxes are empty, you can never unsee it.

[markraymond]

I truly wish I would have gotten into this profession when I was young!! This is the side of Hollywood that I would love to be a part of! I can draw a space gun or spaceship no one has ever even thought of. And when watching any movie or show I'm always looking at it from a Prop Person's point of view, always have. You all are very blessed to have such a demanding but fun career! My hat is off to all of you! I know you don't get into it for the fame or fortune! Never realizing that a alarm clock that you used is now worth 10, 000 bucks! Thank you and God Bless!

[RedCaio]

Then there's actors who "sip" and don't swallow, rather they immediately start talking. like the liquid teleported away somehow after the sip

[Crazyytuber]

Figuring out movie cups have no liquid in them makes me feel empty inside, but regardless thanks for spilling the beans

[timacrow]

The bag o' rice and little bottles in the cups are rather ingenious ideas.

[jediknightjairinaiki]

Mark Harmon did an EXCELLENT job drinking from his coffee cups on "NCIS".

[steprockmedia]

On the Flash TV show, they spend waaaay too much time at the coffee shop set.
It was HYSTERICAL how coffee cups got tossed around once you started watching for that.

[LeoStaley]

4:18 I love how he had no confidence whatsoever in the extra's ability to hold a cup

[egh]

Medical shows still do this CONSTANTLY! It drives me crazy. They meet at the hospital coffee shop, get brand new drinks, it always seems empty, and they set it down hard with a huge hollow sound.

[ry]

The puns today were so good. Thanks for making me smile :)

[fakshen]

Propmasters: We can't use real coffee in our real coffee cups... do you know what kind of issues that will cause?
Armorers: