propmaster

A prop master, also known as property master, is a professional responsible for the procurement, creation, and management of props used by actors and featured on set or on stage. They operate within the production’s art department and typically report to the production designer or art director. Their role spans both practical handling of objects and ensuring they fit the visual, historical, and safety requirements of the production.

Key duties include assembling and maintaining prop lists, budgeting for prop needs, sourcing items from prop houses, archives, or suppliers, and fabricating or modifying items to meet design specifications. The prop master inventories and tracks props, coordinates their delivery and placement on set, and oversees ongoing maintenance, repairs, and proper storage. They manage continuity, ensuring the same prop remains consistent across takes, scenes, or performances, and keep records of props used by each actor. They also handle on-set safety and compliance, particularly with weapons, hazardous materials, food, or any item with regulatory considerations. Collaboration with the production designer, art director, director, and sometimes special effects or weapons masters is essential to align props with the overall concept and practical needs.

In theatre, the prop master often works closely with the stage management team and must prepare items for quick scene changes and multiple performances, sometimes across different venues. In film and television, the emphasis is on consistency across takes, years of continuity, and coordinating prop usage across locations and shoots. Typical backgrounds include theatre or film education, with experience in fabrication, carpentry, sewing, or painting, and many prop masters work as part of a production’s art department or as freelancers.