When I first met Dana Hammontree a few months ago, Hollywood History was still in the developmental stages. It had not yet been revealed to the public and remained a bit of a secret to the prop industry.
However, when I finally launched The Prop Blog and conducted my initial interview with Dana in mid-April, it had been live for two weeks and was already gaining steam. Since then, it’s become much more popular and well-known. And while it still has a way to go before it can compete with the “big boys” of the industry, both Dana and his partner Wesley Cannon are making great strides.
Wesley Cannon & Dana Hammontree of Hollywood History (credit Wesley Cannon)
Offering 24-hour customer service and assistance in locating specific props for non-customer service, it’s clear their goal isn’t to get rich so much as it is to legitimately make the prop industry a better place for everyone. And let’s be honest, there’s something to be said about that.
Because of their inspiring work-ethic and helpful nature, I decided to sit down with Wesley Cannon of Hollywood History for our second “Industry Interview.”
Dan: “When I last spoke with your partner Dana [Hammontree], Hollywood History had just opened its doors. And while it hasn’t been too long, have much has the company transformed in those few weeks?”
Wesley: “I would have to say, the first few weeks have really been a lot of fun. You have heard people say the first impression lasts the longest, so it tends to make you a bit nervous when trying to put your company out in the public eye, while also trying to make their experience with us more unique and memorable. In the beginning, the main concern for Dana and I was just to get things started and let it run for a few days to make sure it would go as planned, while also asking customers for feedback to help our site become user friendly. We have now started to branch out and begin to advertise a little more, while also relying on current customers to spread the news by word of mouth. Of course, in this dynamic and small community of collectors, your reputation and communication is key to a successful future and something we have to rely on. I have also been fortunate enough to have just had a huge project done by Tom Spina from Tom Spina Designs and with it being published on multiple sites and magazines that also helped us tremendously with getting the word out along with letting the public know this hobby even exists.”
Dan: “What sets you apart from competitors such as The Prop Store of London and Screen Used Props?”
Wesley: “Well Dan, that’s a tricky question. I have been a customer of both companies, seen how they perform, and consider their staff all friends of mine. I would also consider both long standing and established in this business, so it’s hard for me to compare. I can say with Dana and myself being pretty well known in the movie memorabilia industry and being knowledgeable about the customer’s needs has helped us to get a push start among the more newer companies out there.
When looking at Prop Store and Screen Used there is a sense of security and I want our customers to have that same feeling when dealing with us. We have a very open mind to suggestions and are ready to answer any questions the customers may have. I also think something else that will help us excel at the moment is the fact our company is smaller and not quite as commercialized as the others. This gives and presents a friendlier and welcoming atmosphere being able to focus on the best interest of the customer. We try to keep in mind the going prices and limit ourselves to profit allowing us to make the pieces more affordable, while we also offer price comparison if either of the companies may have it cheaper. In my opinion, the larger companies have a tendency at times to overlook some of the more novice collectors who are just getting started; at Hollywood History we know being collectors ourselves that as a collector matures those novice collectors are the very foundation that makes this hobby exist.”
Dan: “What do you foresee being the greatest challenge for you and Hollywood History?”
Wesley: “Well, to be honest, the biggest challenge I feel is promoting ourselves, trying to get our name out there and reaching the widest amount of people in this hobby that we can. We do have plans to attend a number of different shows and auctions hoping to help promote Hollywood History and gain a little more popularity among collectors. It’s a pretty small world with the hobby, but it seems to be growing at a very fast rate. So having a positive reputation with the long standing collectors and also being able to reach the newer collectors is a main concern. It’s also hard striving to give our customers the feeling of security they count on just as they have when dealing with the larger companies. A lot of that cannot be rushed and just comes in time; so being patient and giving them the customer service they depend on is our top priority.”
Dan: “How much has your own prop collecting experience prepared you for what needs to be done in order to take Hollywood History to the next level of success and beyond?”
Wesley: “Man, where do I even start. This has been an amazing ride from the time I met a few collectors who really introduced me to the hobby, to the time Dana and I decided Hollywood History was going to become a reality. Starting out, I didn’t really know the ins and outs of collecting and I was introduced to The Movie Prop Forum by a few guys where I began to take advantage of the opportunity. Once I joined, I realized the impact of the forum and how important it was to read, learn, and contact other collectors to network and help each other along the way. There was so much information and knowledge there to learn it was definitely overwhelming, but I had a chance to understand what people expected from companies and what made the elite just that.
After a few years at the MPF, the owner at the time decided it was time for him to focus on other avenues and decided to offer it to me…which I accepted. Since then I’ve been able to speak to many of the members, developing long lasting relationships and dealing with them while having discussions really put things in perspective of what people want and expect from memorabilia dealer. By that time I already had my private website Wickedprops and began to really understand what it took to keep a website up and running; it assisted Dana and I on the more technical side of our company.
After learning more about the hobby and becoming comfortable I started to branch out into contacting different production companies and crew members in the film industry. By taking the initiative to just talk to them about my interested and theirs, it has built strong relationships. They are the true artists and the information you can get from them is vital to vetting different pieces or even opening up other avenues to be able to offer our customers the memorabilia they will enjoy for many years to come.”
Dan: “Is there anything you’d like to say to current and future customers reading this article?”
Wesley: “At Hollywood History we give our customers the service they count on and deserve. Being collectors ourselves, we have a great deal of knowledge on what a fellow collector would expect from a dealer along with what we have to do in order to accomplish this. If anyone is looking a specific piece or has any questions please feel free to contact either Dana or myself and as always we look forward to speaking to you.”
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