Prop maker jobs

Production Prop Makers often work in the film, television, or theater industries. You will be tasked with the creation of a wide array of different things as a Prop Maker. This might be anything, from tree trunks to replicas of dangerous weaponry.

What exactly is a "Prop"?

A theatrical property is an object that belongs to a show and is utilized in it. This kind of thing is sometimes referred to as a prop. A movable object that may be positioned anywhere on stage or that is utilized by members of the cast is referred to as a prop.

What a Prop Maker Is Generally Responsible For

To bring a show to life, you, in the role of Prop Maker, will collaborate with set designers and directors. During the pre-production phase, you will spend a significant amount of time performing research on the particular fashions that you will need to recreate and debating which props will be required. For instance, if you want to figure out how to best fit a historical design, you may have to play with with a variety of various materials. As a result, having a background in the history of art is very necessary.

In order to be successful in this position, you will need to have expertise in a wide variety of fields. It's possible that you'll need to create things like sculptures, models, masks, and costumes. Every production will have its own unique set of needs, and you'll need to be ready, willing, and able to adapt to new situations and meet problems head-on.

Key Skills

To summarize, the following is a list of the most important abilities necessary to become a Prop Maker:

A plethora of creative potential

A good eye for detail

Be a problem solver

Cooperate well in a group setting.

Enjoy yourself and try new things.

Capability to create a budget that accounts for all of your different materials

a familiarity with the use of CAD software

Cost of living and number of hours worked

The national careers service estimates that the typical work week for a prop manufacturer is between 42 and 44 hours long. The fact that this is a freelance position means that the salary is not set in stone. The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) reports that the weekly wage may vary anywhere from £550 to £1,400 per week depending on the amount of expertise the individual has.

Despite this, you shouldn't lose sight of the fact that developing your professional network will be essential to securing long-term employment in this position. Planit reports that just fifty percent of those working in the prop making industry have full-time jobs, while forty percent are self-employed and ten percent work part-time.

The Steps Necessary to Become a Prop Maker

A significant number of Prop Makers will have a formal certification in production arts, prop manufacturing, technical theater, or another field closely linked to their field of expertise. You will often require two or three A levels, or you will need to have completed a foundation year, in order to enroll in these programmes.

You might also consider enrolling in a carpentry or art course at a college to get a level 2 certificate. This would be an alternative option. Alternately, you may consider earning a level 3 certificate in Creative Craft or 3D Design and Crafts. Both of these fields are quite broad.

If you do not have a qualification, don't worry. By helping with local productions, you'll have the opportunity to obtain a significant amount of experience. If you are successful in this capacity, the next logical step for you would be to go into production or set design. Those who are interested in expanding their filmmaking abilities may choose from a selection of undergraduate, post-graduate, and short courses provided by the MetFilm Schools. Here you can discover further information on the MetFilm School.