The Props Department

At the first Production Meeting, the Props Master should request the Props Budget for the show. For shows with a large budget, the Props Master may request an advance of funds required for the creation, purchase or rental of Props. Currently, the theatre policy is that the TD is responsible for giving an advance check to the PM, hopefully by the first production meeting. Activities During rehearsals Organize, from the props crew, a props running crew and develop a clear and precise schedule for them for the run of the production.

The Props Table

Balloon to dove is a strange item. The performer inflates a balloon, clamps it to a very suspicious looking tray (one much thicker than what is needed to hold the enormous weight of a balloon), and Voila! —traumatized bird! Perhaps someone wanted to charge an extra fifty bucks for having a show with animals, and this prop just screamed to be bought at the local auction. Nevertheless, it probably isn’t very deceptive to adults. As for kids, it’s the bird that is getting the strong reaction, not the trick. If you doubt this, just skip the trick and pull the bird out of a paper sack.

Seeing that props are in place on the props tables are the responsibility of both the props running crew and the actor who uses the prop. The crew should do preshow check AND each actor should check his own personal props before the show. Ideally props should always be in their place on the table when not in use. The actor will pick them up before an entrance and should replace props on the table when they exit. During Strike , Props Crew is responsible for assisting Props Designer in returning props and insuring all items are returned in good condition.

The Props Designer

Bernie only makes a few of these each year and not many are put up for sale. This 36 plat, two tone brown & black stock whip is a prize for anyone’s collection. I imported this whip and sold it over 15 years ago and it was the keystone of a private collection.

The Props Designer discusses the budget with the Director and Staff Production Manager/Technical Director and determines if any props will have to be bought or rented. The Props Designer is responsible for obtaining a purchase order, check, or petty cash from the Department Administrative Assistant and making arrangements for purchase or rental (see Petty Cash policy ). At the end of the day’s rehearsal the props master should go to the post-rehearsal production meeting and receive notes from the director and designer and then develop a priority list for the completion of the props.

Naturally it is the star who catches the eye and ear of the audience. When the hero does and dares it is he whom the spectators are with heart and soul, and the curtain goes down upon the last set while auditors join in exclamations of rapture over the work of their idol. They fail to take into consideration that when from his trusty revolver sped the fatal bullet which winged the bold, bad villain, none other was responsible for the blank cartridge and the wreaths of white smoke which curled above than the humble property man.

THEATRICAL PROPERTY

The term has readily transferred to television and motion picture production, where they are commonly referred to by the phrase movie prop or film prop In recent years, the increasing popularity of movie memorabilia (a broader term that also includes costumes) has added new meaning to the term “prop,” broadening its existence to include a valuable after-life as a prized collector’s item. Typically not available until after a film’s premiere, movie props appearing on-screen are christened “screen-used”, and can fetch thousands of dollars in online auctions and charity benefits. 

I remember a troupe performance I saw in which the choreography to each and every song used a different prop, and the effect was much too busy. The performers looked more like trained seals showing off thoeir collection of tricks than like dancers offering a dance perfrmance. I would encourage you to put at least one dance that uses no props at all in between each prop-oriented dance. Props are most effective when they’re used to provide a change of pace. Be prepared with all show props for first and subsequent technical and dress rehearsals (all props in place and prepared to begin at each rehearsal’s start time).

The Props Table

If consumables are used in a performance, the Props Designer is responsible for obtaining a purchase order, check, or petty cash from the Department Administrative Assistant and making arrangements for purchase (see Petty Cash policy ). Props Designer consults with the Director of the production regarding when consumables should first be used in rehearsals. Props Crew notifies the Props Designer when restocking is necessary. During the rehearsal period, the Props Crew behaves as any other crew (electrics, paint, set construction, etc.) in attending work calls held by the Props Designer These work calls may include building or shopping for props.

Set decoration can and should be really rich and detail-oriented,” he says of his affinity for putting the intimate touches on scenery. “It can be a major contributor to the effect that the play has,” he says. Other props departments throughout the country have shops that are variations on Guy’s setup at Milwaukee Rep, but not all have the budgets to retain such diverse staff. In smaller shops the props master has a very hands-on job. Before the end of the semester the props master must turn in their paperwork package as defined and discussed with the faculty props designer.

Prop Masters

Ms. Erdman knows from bodily fluids. As a freelance props master (or “prop tart,” as she calls herself), her job is to buy furniture, make accessories, whip up batches of blood or do whatever else it takes to make sets look and feel as authentic as possible. Ms. Erdman was one of about 50 props people who gathered on Friday night at the Public Theater for an informal meeting that gave attendees a chance to network, watch demonstrations and exchange insider tips on the latest techniques in an area of theatrical design that often goes unnoticed and unheralded.

The Props Master should be at strike. The Props Crew Chief, Crew and other volunteers may be there helping, but it is primarily the PM’s job to make sure every prop is struck and returned to the correct location. This is important because only the PM knows which items were borrowed and they have the best feel for what items are not worth keeping for future shows. The PM is also responsible for removing all labels from prop tables and throwing out all trash in the prop area. If there was any food in the show, this should be disposed of. NO food should be left in RLT refridgerators.

Sets And Stages

Star Wars, Batman, Superman, and Lord of the Rings all meet under one roof for the movie or TV prop you’ve been craving! Even if you’re looking to make your own film, try our photography props! Whatever vision you have, these photo studio props are as ready for action as you are. Snazz up your next Halloween party, film set, or even just your living room with our great selection of props that look as lifelike as the real thing. It’s almost like you’re there! Custom 2D and 3D props creations for movie sets and theaters, theme parks, weddings and events, museum displays, signs, art and decor.

The pictures we receive will be posted into our brand new Rosco Scenic Resource Gallery and, in some cases, might get featured in Rosco’s marketing to scenic customers all over the world. A props artisan at the Alley Theatre named Haley Polak shared her work with us and was not only featured in a Rosco Spectrum blog post , but also in an email blast that we sent to our databases of theatre, display and event professionals. This not only gave recognition to Ms. Polak’s scenic accomplishments, it also gave her venue some excellent publicity.

About Stage Props

The Props Master should ask lots of questions of the Director about specifications for the props. A list of required props should be made available early on in the rehearsal process, preferably during the first two weeks of rehearsals. Please note, however, that a play is an ongoing creative process and the need for new props will be made up to and in some cases during Tech Week. Schedule a time early in the production cycle with the Director and Scenic Designer to review the prop list and discuss matters related the visual look of the show and their design concepts.

Personal props are props worn or carried by a particular actor and issued to him rather than stored on the prop table. For participating ACTF productions, the Props Designer will assist the Prop Shop Student Manager , and Staff Production Manager/Technical Director in storing props for possible travel to festival. Obtains and maintains any rehearsal props called for by the Director by the “Rehearsal Props Due” deadline on the Department Calendar Rehearsal props are substitutes of comparable size and weight used by actors until the final props are available. Once usage was established, we documented all of the pieces in a prop book which was given to the prop mistress.