Props

Props, short for properties, are movable objects used on stage or on screen to support storytelling. They include everyday items such as dishes, books, tools, weapons, and personal effects that actors interact with or that help establish a setting. Props are distinguished from set dressing, which refers to non-interactive items that appear in a scene but are not handled by actors. In both theater and film, the management of props falls to a dedicated property department, led by a prop master or property master.

Two primary categories are commonly recognized. Hand props are items an actor handles during performance or takes into a scene, such as a letter, a mug, or a tool. Set props, or sometimes decorative props, are objects placed on the set that may be visible but are not routinely touched by performers. In addition, there are prop houses and rentals that supply items, and a comprehensive prop list or master prop list used to track each object's location, condition, and continuity.

The production process for props involves acquisition, fabrication or modification, and meticulous on-set management. Continuity is critical: props must look the same across takes and scenes, including placement, condition, and wear. Safety considerations apply to potentially dangerous items such as weapons or breakable objects. The prop team collaborates with directors, designers, and the continuity department to ensure realism while maintaining practicality and safety.

Historically, prop management emerged with organized theatre and later expanded with cinema and television, leading to specialized prop houses and formalized roles within the production crew. See also: prop master, set decorator, continuity.