The Witcher - The Armourers Favourite Props
Witcher by Netflix, starring Henry Cavill was a stand out series for 2019/20. Nick Jeffries as HOD of the Armoury Department / Weapons Designer and myself, as maker of many of the hero props, are two guys heavily involved in the show, and in this film, we have a ‘show and tell’ about Some of our favourite weapons from the series. These are likely ones that you may not have seen much of before.
As we both have an intimate knowledge of the thinking, design and manufacture of the weapons, we know more about these pieces than anyone, and here we share our thoughts over a table full of original props.
With many thanks to Netflix for allowing us to make and share this video. www.netflix.com
Henry Cavill explains about the Witcher swords in this official Netflix video here • Henry Cavill Explains ...
Henry Cavill breaks down the Blaviken fight scene and discusses visual effects in this official Netflix video here • Henry Cavill Breaks Do...
Tods Workshop custom historical pieces todsworkshop.com
Tod Cutler production historical pieces todcutler.com
Tods Workshop T shirts are available here todsworkshop.creator-spring.com/
Music www.jsayles.com/familypages/ea...
I think you guys understate the importance of those small often overlooked details. When present, they often go unnoticed for sure, but when absent, the audience does notice that something feels unnatural even if they can't put their finger on what exactly.
Also lack of detail make them very forgettable, because then they are just a prop like any other
Exactly what I was thinking .example you might pass a picture on a wall and not register it but if it is crooked you notice straight away.
The judges from faceoff said something similar. Costumes without backstory or practicality tend to distract or pull out audiences and detract from the surrounding performances. As a result everything else just feels flat, even if you can't tell WHY it is flat.
@@littlekong7685 Yea, that's a very typical for people in most cases, you are immediately able to say something is wrong even if you can't pinpoint what it is
Indeed. Costuming and prop design that lack detail and creativity, look and feel cheap. It just makes things feel like a costume and a prop, instead of a real item.
This reminds me that the inside of Theoden's armour from the Lord of the Rings films was also decorated. It's never seen on camera, but the prop-makers felt it would be improper not to include it.
I'd honestly never noticed that before, that's hilarious.
Good props work on the actors as well as the audience. Whatever helps the actor immerse themselves in the role isn't wasted, even if the audience doesn't get to see it. Especially when actors have to react to nothing, these days.
The amount of effort and detail that went into these and never got screentime is absurd. Really next level props, absolutely fantastic
Witcher You Didn't Props Notice
Quality props also help the actors to feel the role.
If you get one person to design the humans, one for the elves, and one for each other one, you'll be able to actually feel that they're different cultures because they truly will have different styles from different artists
That's a rather comprising tactic for a design department to form aesthetic differentiation amongst cultures in an audio-visual medium.
Interesting.
That's what Weta Workshop did for The Lord of the Rings. They did have some discussions between each other every so often to pitch design ideas, but they had 3 or 4 separate artists making designs for the Men/Hobbits, Elves/Dwarves, and the Orcs/Nazgûl/Sauron.
@@smokedbeefandcheese4144 many of the designs were also based on historical armor. John Howe in particular helped them a great deal by providing them with armor and weapons he owned, including but not limited to a longsword, longbow, and a full suit of plate armor.
@@smokedbeefandcheese4144 Tobias Capwell, a historian and curator of The Wallace Collection, looked at Sauron's armor in particular and declared it to be "film armor as good as it gets" being influenced by 15th century German armor dialed to 11.
It's surprising how much an audience will pick up though. I made a short film which featured a gang of mutant 'brigands'. I had time to kill in pre-production, so I created a little back story for each of them and built appropriate costumes and props for each. Often these were seen for only a few seconds (if that), BUT I was surprised how many people picked up on the details and mentioned tiny things that I thought were basically only for my own amusement. It's very rewarding when that happens. The actors also found it very useful and started making up their own stories about why they had certain props etc.
I'm certain that going the extra mile, even for not story relevant props does pay of. It might be not immediately visually noticable, but the audience kinda feel the difference between a more or less consistant World. I also think giving your actors better props compells them to get into character a bit more. Just like some producers pefer to have some background elements actually build if possible, rather than doing everything in cgi.
Can I just say, Nicks voice is so strong and Booming, it really complements Tods straightforward, honest voice. Also, hope we're still up for that smith cameo we talked about last time Nick visited the shop 😉
He sounds like from the witcher 3 game :D Some goon trying to mug you :D
I am not native English speaker and at the beginning I could barely understand him :D after a while I got used to it, but because of the tone I just couldn't hear what he said.
Reminds me of Andre the Giant in Princess Bride. "Anybody want a peanut?"
On a shave horse, necessarily :)
It is in fact an ear massage
on of my favourite prop stories from lord of the rings is from Bernard Hill who played theoden, about the characters armour when he put it on for the first time and he saw elaborate gilding and decoration on the inside of the chest plate, that no one but him would ever see and he stated that it made him truely get the feel of what being a warrior king was like, that the created this elaborate decoration that no one but the king would know even existed
I’ve always loved the shape of falchions, they seem so much more brutal than a ‘proper’ sword. Really interesting point about ‘blacksmiths don’t mKe swords, armoured do.’
You know what this proves? That the people behind the scenes are just as much a creative force as those who are front and centre to a project. It's a joy to hear the two men going through how they thought through each creation and why/how it all fitted in with the lore.
The love, care and back story going into props is so rarely noticed in movies by the viewers. These kind of showcases are amazing thank you
@asdrubale bisanzio I have to disagree
@asdrubale bisanzio When they have the budget to spend on props that get little screen time why not? Makes the story only more compelling. The alternative is to go to a toy store and pick up a foam sword :)
@asdrubale bisanzio I know your right the level of detail and authenticity you can achieve in props nowadays is amazing. However I think Hero props made from metal still have a place in movies
@asdrubale bisanzio can't really answer or know how good modern plastic replicas look on screen. But I have been able to notice fake amor and weapons in shows. And now with 4k I think it is even easier to notice.
@asdrubale bisanzio yeah, lets spend a heap o money on props, that no one will see, but have entire army in scrotum armor, made of trash bags. Oh, and why bother hiring people, who have a clue on medieval combat, we can spend all that money on these gorgeous props.
Well, you’ve convinced me, I’m starting the Witcher now
it’s worth it, super good
@@grantgravity_plus I’m just finishing the first episode, so far so good
the production for season 2 actually just finished! So maybe season 2 in summer or fall of this year.
@@kahn04 Takes a bit to figure out what's going on, but once things connect you're golden.
I couldn’t finish the first episode. The constant spin fighting and leather wrist armor is so cliche it’s ridiculous. I’m not sure if it’s a comedy show or not.
I'm sure you also see value in details that only the performers notice (you may have said as much elsewhere). If the props draw *them* into the world and the story, and it makes it easier to deliver a compelling experience, that can come through in the final product even if the prop is never on screen.
Yes exactly you need to drop people in and make them feel there in the movie/game.... themselves
I love the double-headed leaf-bladed sword that Nick showed. Given his description, I can't see how it could have been made any more fitting for the script.
by being actual sabres described in books ?
@@lpapay1165 that would fit the books and not the script though... tv shows can't and shouldn't try to recreate the book exactly, because they'd be worse as shows and never as good as a book anyway.
@@lexigold8448 I would agree with you on the whole, but I think you might be missing the point they’re making. I don’t think he’s saying that a book to film adaptation must be 100% the same. I think he is expressing that the design elements that fit the script so well could have been implemented on a saber just as effectively. Sabers would have been accurate to the books, and the design elements that make them unique and tell a story could still be present. In my opinion, an adaptation can be both accurate and original, which is what I think many critics of the show are trying to say.
That Yataghan-like daggers are definitely my fav pieces on the table LOL
They put me in the mind of a Pakistani/Afghan Pesh-kabz dagger.
Mine too.
@@jamesmcamis8556 I don't know the name, but Persia had a similar dagger as well. Some were partially double edged, but very similar.
@@edi9892 You might be thinking of the Kard?
Leave it to Todd to highlight the craftsmanship and elevate it to its deserved dignified respect.
One of my favorite parts of Lord of the rings the 2 towers is after Eomer meets aragorn and gimli and legolas climbs upon his horse and his sword straight falls out of its sheath and nobody does a thing
Intended message of the thumbnail: “Witcher props you didn’t notice” The thumbnail: “Witcher you didn’t, props notice!”
This man doesn't forge blades. He forges part of his soul into being.
So, he's like Sauron?
Soviet Plot Twist : Blades Forged HIM
I may not have consciously noticed these pieces, but I think they definitely added to a subconscious acceptance of the setting where props with less detail would have led to a sense of cartoonishness. In going to this absurd level of craftmanship, you tricked my brain into being immersed.
Upset lady looking at thumbnail: "Witcher Props You Didn't Notice". Cat sitting at table looking at thumbnail: "Witcher You Didn't Props Notice".
Ah, I see you're a man of culture as well.
Don't dead open inside
Both work in a hilarious way
Knowing that Tod worked on the Witcher was definitely an extra bonus. I've just given the whole series another spin, this time paying extra special attention. Kept glancing fondly at my quillon, too. Most lovely thing I own.
So good. The craftsmanship, the thought, the artistry... I love that one sword with the two heads in the pommel, one peaceful, the other angry. The Durer dagger, lovely piece with the, again, beautiful pommel and horns in the crossguard. And the stapled shield! Oh, and the small Mages' daggers too. Such a cool design for a blade.
I wonder if the actors who wielded those weapons knew how much work went into making them. 🤔
I feel Cavill would love to know more about these, apparently he's been a fan of the Witcher universe before signing up to play Geralt.
@@ThunderLord1 Oh yes he is a great sci fi and fantasy nerd, he he would it.
@@ThunderLord1 I think Cavill did have some back and forth with the prop team, he suggested having the crossguard angled toward the blade to give more room for his wrists while doing all the stunt twirling and two handed fight scenes. So I think he got a bit of a look into the decision process around the props and how they speak about the character.
He also kept bursting out of his armour because he wore it constantly and wore it out.
@@Muljinn Who made his armour? An old friend of mine's company made all the "plate" for Nilfgaard, Cintra etc, but I don't know who did the leather armours
I absolutely love that even the one off blades of the series had their own personal touches and personalities of their owners. It take great skill to do that and you guys showed it in surplus. I hope that i can one day do similar with my own craft
Thank you and just keep at it
these weapons are art, their so elegant and beautiful in their own way
Daggers first stabbing and cutlass for slashing Billhooks for hewing And raipers for screwing, These are just some of my favourite things.... Sound of music turned dark
Well made props are key to making a good show. If they were poorly made, even a few seconds of screen time would show that. I remember one movie where the swords bent when they contacted, because they were cheap plastic/rubber recreations. THAT got more attention than the actual movie to fans.
Would love to hear more about the Dürer knife designs! a quick google search turned up absolutely no information about them. I really enjoy his woodcuts, and had no idea he'd done any weapon/knife designs.
A customer sent me some pages 10? years ago, but don't know where he unearthed them from, but go to www.myarmoury.com and ask there - someone will know
It sounds like this gentleman has a voice so deep that he's making a conscious effort to raise its pitch for our listening pleasure.
I love the back story and the amount of thought that has gone into each piece. It makes the world feel more lived in.
Nice video, it's cool to hear about all the thought put into making these props, even if they are on screen for just a second.
I really like that these are real items. The "prop maker" trade both confuses and fascinates me, because they spend all their effort creating the appearance of a real object, without ever making something solid or functional.
As a sword enthusiast, this is surreal attention to detail. I only wish “The Last Duel” crew had given it half the attention these two enlightened fellows did.
Thank you for this showcase! I love seeing this extra level of detail
Keep making these, absolutely love them. It is nice to be able to see the details and hear the story behind them.
That was a very nice episode ! And with a guest that's obviously in love with his line of work. I love learning details about all these props, and would really like to see more videos of that kind !
I would love to see more of these style of videos where the weapons are discussed in the context of the characters and story. VERY cool.
Thanks and glad you liked it
Lovely pieces, indeed! I loved the series and I thank you both for letting us have a more insightful description of these props!!
Incredibly beautiful work
Your art is beautiful Tod! Thanks for the hard work! Love the series!
Thankyou for showing these props so much love in their design and creation. They look incredible, and they work to keep you in the story even when you only see them briefly.
I really enjoyed this craftsman creators discussion.i loved hearing about how you made choices and played with your own love of filling in the gaps of backstory
That was fascinating .. a real insight and a pleasure to hear both of your thoughts on the pieces you chose to show us - lovely work and the backstories just make the pieces come alive imho .. Thanks for sharing that with us :-)
I don't watch much TV, but I appreciate good Craftsman's work.
You're not missing out on anything the tv show is shit.
Well done, you two - and Joe the knifemaker! Wonderful work, and so interesting to hear you talk about these items, and show them up close! Glad to hear there's more!
Absolutely wonderful sirs. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work with us.
Nick has an incredible voice and spirit. Love the work you guys have done together, hope to see him on your channel more, well done guys!
Wonderful pieces, beautifully made!
Love the behind the scenes view! Your effort does indeed aid in maintaining the suspension of disbelief and immersion in the world on the screen.
These little details are what I look for in a movie! I often pause the film if I can, just to get a closer look at the props and often point out the defects due to a sloppy prop master. But when the film is well made (i.e. the witcher) I greatly enjoy watching them over and over again and now knowing you help make these props. The huge amounts of work you put into your work shows the vast knowledge, experience, and thought that goes into all that you do. A simple thank you is all I can offer, but is far less than you deserve sir.
I for one appreciate the level of care and detail that goes into creating the 'whole of the world' - while those little individual details may or may not be noticed, they all combine to create the greater experience and the broader whole. If you look at it from the other direction - you will LIKELY notice something that is out of place or not up to standard. It's like negative/positive space and the idea between selection and deselection - deselection is very important.
Wood, leather and steel = Happiness!
Wow! Thanks for this great episode
Oh crap, never realized that you had worked on The Witcher, Tod! Great stuff!
Then you must have missed an earlier video with the same guest, much more focused on Gerralt's gear. Worth digging into the archives for.
@@paritybit7830 Yep, I certainly missed that one! I'll have to go back and give it a watch, as I've been following Witcher books and games for a good long time now.
Love the stories behind each design.
Here I was following your channel not knowing you made pieces for the Witcher! Been planning to watch it again and now seems as good time as ever!
This is a great video. This is what I wished was on more movie and TV hard copies for the behind the scenes. Not just the director or actors, but prop masters (in this case Master Armourer) an so on. Thanks for the video.
Some very beautiful items here. That leaf blade sword is truly a thing of beauty, wonderful character to it. Those falchion style blades remind me of messers, and are actually quite stylish in their way. The daggers, are all very cool and fitting (though the kopis looking one is cool, it doesn't make me think elves so much) I can't wait to see future work in the series.
Thanks and to correct myself, those falchions are in fact messers. We started by talking falchions and just kept calling them that even when I made messers.....
@@tods_workshop You're welcome. Haha, it happens to the best of us. Messers make more sense with the design motivation you were discussing, the simplest of them look like something made by someone who didn't want to spend a ton of time, or make something with a lot of fuss, but it needed to be sturdy and cut well. The nicest of them are quite fancy, belying their roots. Yours portray a good middle ground, simple enough, but with enough elaboration they have style, which fits very nicely with who was using them (thugs like to impress their pals too!).
I love the design on the mage dagger. It really looks like it would do the trick of opening up mail. It almost a spear tip in dagger form. I'd love to see more of these series. It's great to see all the thought, care, and attention that goes into making props, even if they're barely seen.
Great video Todd! Also loving your evil genius look 😼 cheers mate
Love it! They do look amazing!!! Must be awesome to get to work on something that will be seen an loved by so many people.
Well done, great work.⚔️
This was a really interesting conversation, thanks guys. I'm really looking forward to season 2 of The Witcher.
Loved this. I'm now going to rewatch the witcher and keep an eye out for this fantastic work.
Love these vids, awesome!
Did anyone else end up reading the thumbnail title as "Witcher You Didn't Props Notice"?
Absolutely love the final mage dagger & scabbard. Would love one of those.
Costume and prop design seems so fun and interesting. Making a character for tv or film is such a great collaborative effort.
best part of production value in Witcher IMO
Everything made by the hands of man inherits the personality of the builder or craftsman. If every item were made by the same craftsman, the props would all have the same personality, and that would actually dull the show which use the props. It's important that many props are crafted by many craftsmen.
Jeeze Tod you make some damn beautiful objects. I'm so happy you were recruited for this! I enjoy that the fundamentals you bring to the design even in a fantasy realm make the objects so much more believable and relatable.
That's a great deal of craftsmanship there and a real pleasure to watch. As a fan of The Wither books since late 90's I'd just like to point out that your superb work not only adds to the realism of the show, but also pays homage to the Sapkowski's original material. He takes great care about the detailed description of weapons in the books as well as the fighting style of the characters using those weapons. I'm sure he'd appreciate your effort as it clearly was very important to him when doing the research for the books and then writing them to make this particular aspect of the lore feel as real as possible.
Thank you and I have read a bit, but not loads and enjoyed them very much, so I am aware there are differences in what we do, but what all of us do is make it real (if still fantasy)
The shields might appear for just a second but it is for me a very important part of this fantastic combat. The guys made a defensive position with their shields. At this moment, Geralt decides to break their stance with his power to negate their advantage. It makes it more real. Thanks
Can't lie that was a bit cheeky to bring out Joe's dagger
These are such amazing pieces, I'm so glad the production team hired actual craftsmen to create realistic and beautiful weapons.
I feel a great respect and admiration for Tod's work, more every day. Great interview and very interesting
I was waiting for the mage's daggers :). Had to be at the very end :p. My favorites of this line-up. Great work Tod!
Ive enjoyed learning more about your work for the Witcher series.
This is so amazing to see
I had no idea you made some of The Witcher props. I loved season one (even though Yennefer annoyed me) because it felt gritty and real, largely due to the props. Most viewers may not have noticed the details but as a whole it makes the scenes more believable.
With you there. The Witcher may be fantasy but the weapons and armour feel real. It makes the immersion into the world so much better.
I'm glad the show got better in the back half. You could feel the hard work and craft in the details from the start
The first dagger shown had a blade binder cut into the blade just past the hilt. It's used in battle to lock on the opponent's blade so that you can pull it out of the opponent's hand.
I need to watch this Series!!! Thanks for posting!
Great props! Your work is astonishing, I absolutely love the incredible dedication you give to, every piece of art (literally) you make. And the Witcher needed some beautiful pieces also to compensate some horrible armours that show have
Beautiful pieces
Looking forward to season two😍
I could not wait for you guys to get to the Mages daggers. Those things are truly beautiful!! 😍😍
Dear Tod, these episodes with Nick are amazing, I'm astonished by the amount of details, craftsmanship and story you bring to these inanimate, beautiful (even when they are crude, beaten up shields) objects! I'm very happy to hear that "there are more to come" :) Please, don't cut too much of this footage off :D I don't want to insult anyone, but some of these explanations you deliver are more interesting than scenes in the show themselves. I hope that maybe some day, in better times, you will be able to record a similar chat with some of the other craft masters - like the mentioned Joe - and talk about some differences in your approaches and styles (and source materials - as they are probably a bit different or at of varied significance). Thank you! All the best!
Thank you - very kind words and hopefully there will be more chats coming up
I had no idea you were behind The Witcher's weapons! I just purchased a Baselard from yourself and the quality is second to none. Very impressed with the look and feel of it. Looking forward to more of your content!
Thanks and enjoy it
That Reavers falchion with the knucklebow is awesome. I want one!
Wow, those are beautiful!!
My favorite pieces are the two Indian style daggers at the end and the dagger with the dragons handle. They're absolutely beautiful and I would love own them. Also the sword with the faces on the pommel is gorgeous too.
I think it is usually subliminal! Especially with the 1 second shots. You see, you recognize ..... but you do it subconsciously. That is why when you see the two swords made centuries and continents apart yet looking similar, you get that feeling that something "just isn't right"! I think this can make the difference between a good film and a truly great one ...... even if you can't put your finger on why!
I absolutely love the double faced sword. Such a nice piece.
The amount of detail paid to bits which may never be seen is the difference between a tradesmen and a craftsmen
Great work. Will there be a season 3?
You nerds really warm my heart and I mean that in the most endearing way.
wow that really nice, like that sword with the two different heads. The props look real enough!