Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Expanse Props 2
In September 2016, Adam Savage filmed a behind-the-scenes special for Syfy’s The Expanse, a show he loves. As part of his visit to set, he spent some time in the props department (of course).
(Photo by: Kristen Lomasney/Tested)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Expanse Props 1
This is Jim Murray, property master of The Expanse. It’s Jim and his department’s job to create futuristic props and give them a past.
(Photo by Kristen Lomasney/Tested)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
This gun belongs to the character Amos. Its base is an air-soft gun with sheet metal, machined components, 3D-printed parts, paint, graphics and of course weathering.
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
The amor you see in the background belongs to Bobbie Draper, an extremely popular character from the books introduced in season 2 of the series.
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
Jim’s props department spends a lot of time weathering weapons, but also repairing them when they are dropped or otherwise stop working after repeated use.
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
The weathering on each prop is absolutely unique to the character it belongs to.
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
The helmet just in front of Adam is a Martian helmet from season 1. They were based on snowboarding helmets, but it was difficult to see the actor’s faces in them, so they were modified in season 2.
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
This is Jason Ehl from Backbone Engineering, who worked with Jim on some of the Expanse weaponry.
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
An actor in a helmet needs to be lit, communicate with the director and breathe without fogging their visor — all without affecting the sound. So for season 1, the Expanse’s props department solved these issues by turning to a Versaflo, a painting respirator helmet
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
For season 2, Jim’s department modified low altitude fighter jet helmets they found on eBay. The visor comes off, making it easy to mic and light them, and it’s far enough away from the actor’s face that there’s no condensation when they breathe.
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
Bobbie Draper’s spacesuit consists of an undersuit to which FOAM RUBBER (!) pieces attach with velcro and magnets.
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
This bloodstained backpack is one of the Expanse authors’ (Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham) favorite props. Misko and Marisko is a show within the Expanse book universe; this prop is a nod to the books.
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: The Expanse – Season 2
In the finished episode, the cartoon characters on this backpack will be animated, this being a futuristic series. A pink patch will be placed over the pocket, and the animation added later in special effects.
(Photo by: Rafy/Syfy)
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Visits the Prop Department of Syfy’s The Expanse
Photo Gallery: Adam Savage Expanse Props 3
Not pictured: Adam speaking to Jim about everything on this table long after the behind-the-scenes special’s director yelled, “CUT!”
(Photo by Kristen Lomasney/Tested)
