Prop Maker Legal, Social & Cultural Technicians
SaveWhat Does a Prop Maker Do?
Prop makers construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain props used on stage and for filming movies or television programs. Props may be simple imitations of real life objects, or may include electronic, pyrotechnical, or other effects. Their work is based on artistic vision, sketches and plans. They work in close cooperation with the designers involved in the production.
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Where Do I Start?
Adapt To Artists' Creative Demands
Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Prop Maker
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialAdapt To Artists' Creative Demands skill
Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFinish Project Within Budget skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Work Schedule skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInterpret Artistic Intentions skill
Interpret the artistic intentions of the author.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialKeep Up With Trends skill
Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Personal Professional Development skill
Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Personal Work Environment skill
Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrevent Fire In A Performance Environment skill
Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTranslate Artistic Concepts To Technical Designs skill
Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUnderstand Artistic Concepts skill
Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Personal Protection Equipment skill
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork Ergonomically skill
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork Safely With Chemicals skill
Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork Safely With Machines skill
Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork Safely With Mobile Electrical Systems Under Supervision skill
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork With Respect For Own Safety skill
Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdapt Props skill
Adapt existing props for use in a specific production.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialBuild Devices Into Props skill
Build mechanical or electrical devices into props.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialBuild Props skill
Build props from a variety of materials, working with the design staff to create the appropriate prop for the production.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDefine Prop Building Methods skill
Decide on how to build the necessary props and document the process.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop Prop Effects skill
Work with creative personnel to design special effects involving props using mechanical or electrical devices. Advise on feasibility and develop the needed prop effects.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Props skill
Check, maintain and repair props.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Theatre Equipment skill
Check up on, maintain and repair tools and machinery used for onstage purposes, such as lighting equipment, stage sets or scene-change machinery.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Workshop Space skill
Keep the workshop space in working order and clean.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 21 displayed)
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OptionalLighting Techniques knowledge
The characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPhotography knowledge
Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAttend Rehearsals skill
Attend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Professional Network skill
Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Safety Of Mobile Electrical Systems skill
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution independently. Measure and power up an installation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Personal Administration skill
File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Consumables Stock skill
Manage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Technical Resources Stock skill
Manage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform First Fire Intervention skill
Intervene in the case of a fire in order to extinguish the fire or limit the effects pending the arrival of emergency services according to training and procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPromote Yourself skill
Market one's own strengths in terms of skills and knowledge.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSupport A Designer In The Developing Process skill
Support designers in the course of the developing process.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork With The Camera Crew skill
Work with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork With The Lighting Crew skill
Work with the crew responsible for the lighting setup and operation to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDefine Prop Materials skill
Decide what materials the props will be made from, and document the conclusions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDraw Prop Sketches skill
Make sketches of envisioned props to help develop the concept and to share with others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Cooperation Among Production, Costume Department And Make-up Department skill
Work with the staff responsible for costumes and make up in line with their creative vision and obtain directions from them about how make-up and costumes should look.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHand Props To Actors skill
Hand the right props to actors before each scene. Give them directions on how to use objects.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOrganise Workshop Space skill
Arrange the space of an equipment workshop to ensure maximum efficiency, including installing ligh fixtures, a workbench, etc. Decide on the activities and equipment to fit in and the most …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPlan Workshop Activity skill
Plan workshop activities according to production needs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPurchase Props skill
Buy the required props for a performance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork Safely With Stage Weapons skill
Take necessary precautions while preparing, transporting, storing, training and operating stage weapons (stabbing weapons, shooting weapons, etc).
Course recommendations coming soon.