Have you ever wondered how moviemakers can afford to blow up piles of money on the big screen? It turns out that it’s tricky, as the government has a set of strict rules to follow when studios feature U.S. currency on screen. So, roll out the red carpet because we’re about to explore the laws of prop money. IDENTICAL BILLS ARE ILLEGAL. Prop money can’t look identical to actual bills because of concerns about whether it could be circulated to the public and used. This happened after a “Rush Hour 2” scene where they blew up billions of dollars in prop money. Extras took home some of the fake cash and tried to use it in Las Vegas. The Secret Service got involved immediately, shutting down the shoot and confiscating the bills. If the money is a replica, it must be either 75% smaller or 150% larger than real bills. One of the most common methods studios use is printing only one side of the fake money. The design can also be altered slightly, like changing the shading or picture. REAL CASH CAN’T BE DESTROYED. Even though blowing up or burning money on camera can pump up the action for the audience, legal tender cannot be destroyed in movies. Anyone can be charged with a federal crime, punishable by 10 years in prison and fines for destroying money. Only the Federal Reserve has that power. Technically, it’s illegal to even flatten a penny. YOU CAN’T PRINT MONEY. Real currency is printed on a unique blend of cotton and linen available only to the U.S. government. Prop money can’t feel like the real deal. It has to be on paper and printed at a lower resolution. Robert De Niro didn’t like how the prop money felt in his hands while filming “Goodfellas.” To get around it, the prop master withdrew money from his bank account for De Niro to use. At the end of each scene, no one could leave until all the money was counted and returned. Why Real Money Can't Take Center Stage
Creating Peace of Mind Through Education and Support FAMILY FEELING
I joined Litherland, Kennedy & Associates in 1992, and in my current role at the firm, I use a wide variety of skills I developed in past positions as a music teacher, PTA leader, legal researcher, paralegal, and office manager. In everything I do, my mission is to help educate our clients and community and to free people from worry about the legal aspects of estate planning, so they can focus on their family’s emotional well-being.
I enjoy working with non-profit organizations, support groups, local business, and community groups to coordinate estate planning and elder care speaking engagements. For example, I am proud we are making a commitment to seniors’ future well-being by matching donations and participating as a team in the Silicon Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s on September 28. One of the things I love most about my job is educating others about life transitions that can be difficult to navigate, including aging, incapacity, and death. As our firm’s director of marketing and client relations, I plan and oversee about thirty educational and social events each year and coordinate speaking engagements that inform and educate our clients and community. In all that I do, I try to help our team provide peace of mind for our clients through all phases of life. Our law firm is different from other firms because we strive to develop a lifetime relationship with our clients, rather than a transactional one. Our flat fee covers trust and estate planning services, educational seminars, ongoing access to our attorneys and geriatric care manager for support, and a free consultation for the successor trustees when a client faces incapacity or passes away. As part of this relationship, we also seek to educate the next generation. Our Trustee and Power of Attorney School informs family members across the country about what to do when something happens to their loved ones. In recognition of July as National Ice Cream Month, we are hosting one of my favorite social events — our nineteenth annual Ice Cream Social on July 23. This festive gathering gives clients a chance to get to know the attorneys and staff, enter a raffle drawing, and hear answers to their estate planning and elder care questions. Meeting our team members in person helps our clients develop a sense of comfort with the experts who answer their questions when they call our office. I am
So, next time one of your favorite movie characters has cash to burn, remember, those are fake bills in the flames!
proud that that through events like this one our law firm strives to create a sense of family among our clients and team members.
2 408-356-9200
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator