5 miniature models from the movies on display...

Today we continue to explore the magic of movie making with these five miniature production models used to bring the worlds of comedy, fantasy, action and horror to life on the big screen.

The Grand Budapest Hotel miniature production model

First up is this spectacular production model of The Grand Budapest Hotel used in Wes Anderson's 2014 comedy about an aging high-class hotel and the working relationship between the concierge and the lobby boy.

The movie was nominated for nine Oscars and took home four, including for Production Design for Adam Stockhausen (with Anna Pinnock for Set Decoration) and Best Costume Design for Milena Canonero.

This screen-used model was photographed on display at the sadly now defunct ArcLight Hollywood cinema in March 2014, so make sure you take a closer look at this miniature model and costumes from The Grand Budapest Hotel on display.

S.S. Venture tramp steamer and Skull Island miniature

from King Kong

Next up is miniature S.S. Venture boat model from 2005's King Kong movie remake directed by Peter Jackson. This tramp steamer sailed to Skull Island, the home of the legendary giant ape.

This model was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood on the theme park tour in April 2009.

Mansion miniature model from Downsizing

This next mansion miniature model is from Alexander Payne's 2017 comedy Downsizing. To deal with overpopulation, scientist have started to shrink people down to four inches tall and Matt Damon finds himself starting his life anew in a downsized community.

Be sure to take a closer look at this miniature model from Downsizing that was on display in ArcLight Hollywood's foyer in December 2017.

Miniature WW11 Belgian village

from Welcome to Marwen

The next miniatures are of a slightly different kind. In 2018's Welcome to Marwen based a true story, Steve Carell plays the victim of a vicious hate crime who builds a miniature Belgian World War II town to aid his recovery and help him remember, filling it with G.I. Joes and Barbie dolls which he photographs for therapy.

Be sure to take a closer look at these miniature Marwen buildings that were on display at ArcLight Hollywood in December 2018.

Castle miniature from Bram Stoker's Dracula

And the final dramatic example is from Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 gothic horror movie, Bram Stoker's Dracula.

This miniature castle and home of the vampire lord was created for the film by Matte World.

Take a closer look at this production model and Gary Oldman's bat-form prosthetic makeup from Bram Stoker's Dracula that were photographed on display at the Planet Hollywood Cafe in Las Vegas in April 2011.

With people getting vaccinated and things slowly starting to get back to normal, I can't wait to see what screen-used costumes and props I can discover in the future on display at movie theatres, theme parks and museums.

Cool costumes and props in the Dracula TV series online auction...

If you're a fan of vampires and the iconic horror villain, 'Dracula', then you'll love the Prop Store's latest online auction from the short-lived NBC series which reimagined his infamous legend and ran for ten episodes at the end of 2013. Here's just a selection of the cool costumes and props now available for you to own from the show, which starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the notorious vampire lord seeking revenge against his enemies in Victorian London.

Costume worn by Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Alexander Grayson in Dracula

Dracula posed as the American businessman, 'Alexander Grayson', bringing modern science to Victorian society and wore this dapper grey suit and overcoat when he fought with vampire hunter 'Hermann Kruger' on the rooftops of London. This costume also comes with the stunt sword shown here.

Dracula TV series billboard

Annie Symons was Costume Designer on the series set in Victorian England, which allowed for some elaborate gowns for its female stars.

Ball gown worn by Katie McGrath as Lucy Westenra in Dracula

'Lucy Westenra' played by Katie McGrath is one of Victorian London's glamorous social butterflies and wears this divine gown in the series.

Vampire hunting costume worn by Victoria Smurfit

as Lady Jane Wetherby in Dracula

Victoria Smurfit plays the vampire-hunting 'Lady Jane Wetherby' and member of the Order of the Dragon, responsible for hunting the night stalker terrorizing London's streets. This sexy fashion-forward costume shows she means business when it comes with dealing with creatures of the night (and would look great as Halloween or convention costume don't you think?).

Wooden crossbow and stakes props used by Michael Nardone

as Hermann Kruger in Dracula

Meanwhile this elaborate crossbow and crossbow bolts and stakes belonged to vampire-hunter 'Hermann Kruger' (played by Michael Nardone), who failed in his mission to kill Dracula in the first episode of the series.

If you're a fan of the horror drama, then now's your chance to own a piece of memorabilia in the official online auction in partnership with Carnival and NBCUniversal. Starting from October 12, 2015, 45 new items from Dracula will be released every day and stay live for seven days for you to bid on.

Be sure to sink your teeth into this online auction, perfectly timed for the run up to the Halloween haunting season, and check out all the original Dracula costumes and props available now.

Gary Oldman's Dracula prosthetic make-up and castle miniature...

In Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 gothic horror movie, Bram Stoker's Dracula, the titular classic vampire is played by Gary Oldman.

Prosthetic make-up worn by Gary Oldman as Dracula

Matthew W. Mungle, Greg Cannom and Michele Burke shared the winning Oscar for Best Make-up for Dracula in 1993.

Bram Stoker's Dracula movie poster

This miniature model of Dracula's castle featured in the movie was created by Matte World. Both the prosthetic make-up and model were photographed on display at Planet Hollywood Cafe in Las Vegas on April 7, 2011.

Original Castle Dracula miniature model

If you're a creature special effects fan, be sure to also check out more classic monster make-up secrets on display.

Bram Stoker's Dracula movie poster

Classic Universal monster make-up secrets and movie props on display...

On a recent visit to Universal Studios Orlando I enjoyed the delights of the Universal Horror Make-Up Show which included an array of make-up secrets and props from the classic Universal monster movies. This fantastic display of masks, life casts, props and movie memorabilia was photographed on September 23, 2010.

Make-up and life cast of Lon Chaney Jr. from The Wolf Man

In 1941 Lon Chaney Jr. made his horror film debut as The Wolf Man and was the only actor ever to play all the classic monsters onscreen, with roles in Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula and The Mummy.

The Wolf Man movie poster

The Phantom of the Opera prop and make-up display

Lon Chaney Sr. starred as the titular Phantom of the Opera in the 1925 silent horror classic. The Phantom's make-up was designed to resemble a skull. Lon Chaney attached a strip of thin, translucent material to his nostrils with spirit gum, pulled it back until he got the tilt he wanted, then attached the other end to his bald cap. To create his distinctive look, his ears were glued back, cheeks built up with a combination of cotton and collodion, and the rest was greasepaint shaded in the appropriate places of his face.

The Phantom of the Opera movie poster

Original Dracula movie props

Bela Lugosi starred as the vampiric Dracula in the 1931 Universal horror movie. To create the abundant spider webs in Count Dracula's castle they shot rubber cement from a rotary gun.

Dracula movie poster

Boris Karloff's Frankenstein's Monster make-up display

During the filming of 1935's The Bride of Frankenstein, Boris Karloff sweated off twenty pounds wearing the creature's hot costume and make-up. Early in filming he slipped and fell, breaking his leg. Metal struts used to stiffen his legs (for the infamous 'monster lurch') helped keep his bones in place until they could be set properly.

The Bride of Frankenstein movie poster

Boris Karloff wore heavy boots with lifts to cate the look of the towering Frankenstein's Monster.

Frankenstein movie props on display

Original movie set design sketch for Dracula...

This original concept sketch for the classic 1931 horror movie Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, was on display at Universal Studios Hollywood on July 16, 2009.

Dracula movie poster

UPDATED: Here's a photo of a copy of John Hoffman's set concept sketch on display once again at Universal Studios Hollywood on May 7, 2013.