Earlier this week, TikTok's famous prop master, Scott Reeder – better known by his very punny username, @scottpropandroll, to his 1.7 million followers – got candid about just how much “movie magic” can impact even the most subtle shots, detailing all the practical effects that go into making a stationary train appear as though it’s chugging along.


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“This shot of a man in what appears to be a moving train car isn’t nearly as impressive as what it took to make it,” Reeder, who has worked on several films and TV series including Walker, Friday Night Lights and Mad Money, explained in his most recent viral clip.


Despite the train car’s calm, camera-ready interior, a much more chaotic scene played out mere feet away from the camera’s reach, grips jumping up and down to simulate motion while several other crew members carefully pirouetted large black signs around the window, simulating the passage of objects.


“The grips with the Award-winning window choreography are right on track,” he quipped, questioning “How long did these guys have to train?”


“I know I’m just a prop master but I can appreciate a good poor man’s process shots.”



From tricky trains to fake cinderblocks, here are seven of our favorite clips proving just how potent movie magic can be.