What happens to movie props and sets after filming?

My boyfriend is a long time actor and most of the time the props become rubbish and thrown out in the trash. There may be some pieces that they keep when they know in advance they will film it yearly or sequel. But the majority of the time it goes in the trash bin and i can't help but think it is a waste.

hello Enslin, i ever read that The set from Eclipse- the cullen's house- was sold. in fact, they can get more profit when they sell it. many fans want to have it and want to pay it higher than it cost

Not every set is bought in. Often, film or TV companies will see a likely ruined barn or garage and approach the landowners to use it. We had a fantastic mouldy old underground passageway near me, ferns growing and everything. It was used for a couple of screen shots - then the council painted it over! But a lot of properties are used for external and even internal scenes - Harry Potter for example is real places, NOT sets. Also what you see isn't always what's there. Modern software allows filmmakers to create sets that in real life were just green screen studio lots. They can also film real interiors then superimpose actors onto them. As for the props, they're often auctioned off, online or places like Christie's and Sotheby's in New York.

Most go into a warehouse to be resused. built stages are generally torn aprt and the materials salvaged. Some of the famous props are used for promation or sometimes auctioned to the public. I remember a caouple years ago they had a big Start Trek auction.