Rekvisitta

Rekvisitta refers to objects used on stage or screen that are not part of the fixed set but are employed to convey realism, support action, or reveal character. In theatre, film, and television, rekvisitta is managed by a dedicated props department or prop master who coordinates acquisition, storage, labeling, and care. The term covers both handheld items that actors manipulate and larger items placed in a scene but meant to be interacted with or moved during filming or performance.

The classification commonly distinguishes hand props (objects handled by actors, such as letters, weapons, cups, or phones) from set props (items that decorate the environment and help establish time and place but may not be touched). rekvisitta should be differentiated from costumes, which are worn by performers, and from set dressing, which forms the background environment without being actively used during scenes.

Procurement often involves sourcing from prop houses, borrowing from other productions, or fabricating items to meet period, stylistic, or safety requirements. A production maintains a prop inventory, notes continuity specifics, and conducts safety checks, sanitation, and repairs as needed. Some props are designed to be functional, while others are purely symbolic or decorative, chosen to support narrative clarity and visual storytelling while withstanding repeated use.

In addition to entertainment, rekvisitta can appear in museums, exhibitions, or historical reenactments where curated items illustrate a specific moment or context. The field intersects with design, curation, archiving, and production management, reflecting the collaborative nature of bringing fictional or reconstructed worlds to life.