If the characters require no interaction with the background, a photo will do... If they have to interact you'll need props... Typical home equipment list: Enlarger (a projector or box mounted on a pole and pointing down will do), chemical trays - 3 each for Black and White (don't sweat if your photos are color - most people would never know the diff; can be faked with transmapped boxes) and as you guessed a clothesline (there are posable ropes out there somewhere, but you can fake it with string of parented cylinders: scan a clothespin and apply it as a texture to a small box) Counter space and sink or wash tub .... and gallon sized bottles (3 or 4) milk jugs will give the homey look. I've seen both lying around but I can't say for sure where - Lannies Model World I think, but they're down at the moment) -Good luck Good luck.