A prop master supervises the use of props in stage or film productions. They source, track, and place props, work with designers, and maintain a Master Props List. Apprenticeships and a keen eye for detail are recommended for those interested in becoming a prop master.
A prop master is a professional who supervises the use of properties, better known as props, in a stage or film production. Properties are various objects that are used by actors and actresses during their scenes. For example, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the title character lifts a skull in the fifth act, saying “Alas, poor Yorick,” as he faces his own mortality. This skull is considered a prop and the stage master is responsible for sourcing it, keeping track of it and making sure it is placed in the correct position on stage so that the actor playing Hamlet can reach it.
Handling props is a big task, especially on an epic stage or movie production. The props manager is sometimes called the “God of the props,” in reference to the difficulty of his job, and on a large production, a team of assistants typically assists the property master. He or she must also work closely with the director and various designers such as lighting, costume and set designers on the production to ensure everything runs smoothly and as intended.
Typically, the first task is to go over a script and identify any props, from yarn to couches. He or she usually makes a list of these items and meets with the director, costume designer, set designer and lighting designer to discuss the vision for the finished piece to ensure suitable props are chosen. Armed with this list, the master starts looking for props. Most theaters and studios have a library of props to start with, but the prop manager can also order custom props or hunt thrift stores and other places for props. necessary.
As rehearsals progress, the need for more props can be identified. As a general rule, the stage master is responsible for any items on stage that are movable and not worn. For example, an actress in a Regency drama might bring a fan as a prop, but her dress would be the responsibility of the costume designer. If the actress sits on a fixed bench, the bench is maintained by the production designer, but if she uses a movable stool, the props manager is in charge of the stool.
A prop master is also responsible for organizing and storing props when they are not needed and placing them on stage or in locations just offstage so that the actors can grab the props when they are needed. A Master Props List is used to keep track of all the props used in a production, along with their locations and any special notes. In a motion picture production, the scene manager may also assist the continuity crew, who ensure that objects in a scene don’t move between takes so that a scene appears consistent and also when it is included in the final cut of the film.
Someone who is interested in becoming a stage master should start with an apprenticeship at a local theater or film studio. It helps to have a very keen eye for detail, along with the ability to organize extremely effectively and efficiently. Those skilled at obtaining unusual items are also an asset to their parent organizations; If you can find the one excellent thing at a junk garage sale, you could become a great scene master.
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