Wiki Page, Oklahoma High School- Drama/Theatre Course (OK Art Tech): 3.5 Prop Designer

Wiki Page
2025-03-06T08:26:17-06:00

Prop Designer

Introduction

A prop designer, often referred to as a prop master, is a crucial member of a film, television, or theater production team responsible for creating and managing all the tangible items used by actors during a performance or shoot. This encompasses a wide range of objects, from weapons and furniture to documents and personal items. The prop designer works closely with the director, set designer, and costume designer to ensure that each prop aligns seamlessly with the overall vision of the production.

Their duties include:

Researching historical or thematic accuracy

Sourcing or creating props within budget constraints (make, purchase, rent, or borrow)

Maintaining an organized inventory

Prop masters must also collaborate with the performers to ensure that the props are comfortable and easy to handle. Their attention to detail is paramount, as even the smallest prop can play a significant role in enhancing the authenticity and visual appeal of a scene. Overall, the prop designer's skill lies in their ability to balance creativity, practicality while staying true to the production's artistic vision.

Some props are an important part of the story, like lightsabers from Star Wars, Dorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, or Thor's hammer, Mjӧlnir.

Watch the video below to learn more about a day in the life of a prop director, Merrianne Nedreberg, the manager of the prop team at Center Theatre Group.

Video: Working in Theatre: Prop Director

Center Theatre Group. (2019, Mar 11). Working in Theatre: Prop Director. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/g8EkmeAnWRA?si=Q-T9neyROcdwYG1K

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

If you enjoy carpentry, painting, and working with a team, this might be a career worth looking into!

Creating Food Props

Have you ever noticed the food you see in movies or on TV, or thought about who makes all of that food? A lot of it isn't even real! Fake foods are used for situations where real food can't be used. Filming a scene can take a long time, and the food in the scene needs to stay looking fresh. If the food isn't being eaten, it is smart to make food props to take the place of real food. For example, when a scene calls for a melted ice cream cone dropped on the ground, it is easier to create a food prop for that instead of trying to create the same effect using real ice cream.

Brenda Chapman, from Oklahoma, is a food prop creator and has had her props included in many shows. Watch the video below to learn about her and the creative career of food props.

Video: How Realistic Fake Foods are Made for TV and Movies

Insider. (2018, Apr 6). How Realistic Fake Foods Are Made For TV and Movies | Movies Insider. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/eemkTcS0zsM?si=RkT2O6Wy9sWyMp1Q

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

The food looks so real! The video showed different materials used to create the props, like a corkboard for granola. Next time you watch a show, try to decide if the food is real or a prop.

Guiding Questions

By yourself, or with a partner, answer the following questions before moving on to the next page.

1. Pick a show (movie, TV, internet, etc.) you've watched. What are some props you remember from that show?

2. What was your favorite food prop in the video, and how was it created?

3. What everyday item can be made into a food prop? What food could it become