A property master is responsible for props, equipment, and miscellaneous items needed for productions. They work with the production team to determine necessary fixtures and ensure all objects add to the quality and continuity of the production. No specific education is required, but experience in theater, television, or film production is desirable.
A master of properties is the person in charge of the props, equipment, and miscellaneous items needed to produce plays, television shows, or movies. These items, commonly referred to as props, usually include all of the physical aspects of the set that are played by the actors, with the exception of clothing and weapons, which are usually the responsibility of the costume designer and weapons master, respectively. Items not touched by actors are usually referred to as set decorations.
Before production begins, the property master typically meets with the production team to determine the necessary fixtures. She typically talks with the production designer, set decorator, camera operators, director and script supervisor to assess her specific needs. The group often exchanges ideas about which objects are most appropriate for different scenes.
During this initial meeting, she usually makes a list of necessary accessories. Props generally fall into one of four categories, usually including set, finish, hand, and food. This list is usually broken down into smaller lists indicating which objects are in stock and which need to be created from scratch, require purchase, or can be borrowed. A thorough examination of the existing props inventory normally follows to confirm the condition and availability of the required objects.
If items are borrowed, it is generally expected that the master of the estate will keep accurate records of the transaction and promptly return the borrowed goods. If a support needs to be crafted or purchased at a retail store, the property master deducts the cost from your production budget. Any purchase that exceeds your budget must normally be pre-approved by the producer.
As rehearsals for production proceed, the property manager is often on hand to determine the viability of the fixtures. If she observes, for example, that a particular prop is too big for an actor’s hand or too small to be clearly seen by the audience, her job is to replace it with an appropriate size. Generally, she is expected to examine all objects to ensure they add to the quality and continuity of the production, and the actors are comfortable with it.
A major property position typically does not require any specific level of education. Many property masters have high school, college, or community theater backgrounds in production or set design. Completed classes in theater, television, or film production are generally desirable for job seekers of master of properties. The ability to work with diverse personalities and the willingness to work long and irregular hours are considered assets for candidates for this position.
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