In the glittering world of cinema, certain objects linger in the memory long after the credits roll. Think of the jewel-encrusted, gold-plated Furby pendant from Uncut Gems, the red and blue pills in The Matrix, or the Rosebud sled in Citizen Kane. These items, known as props or properties, are the unsung heroes of filmmaking, meticulously sourced or fabricated by prop masters to breathe life into fictional universes.
The Creative Backbone of Storytelling
Props are defined as anything used in a performance that isn't part of the set or costumes. Overseen by a prop master—a gender-neutral term, though "prop mistress" is occasionally used—this role involves a massive, often unacknowledged undertaking. Jode Mann, a TV prop master in Los Angeles, notes, "It's nice that you are asking about props, because they're not really acknowledged." Despite their importance, prop mastery lacks formal awards at major ceremonies like the Emmys or Oscars, unlike categories for casting or stunt work.
Blending Art and Logistics
The work of a prop master is deeply creative, essential for transforming staged sets into lived environments. While it overlaps with set and costume design, it requires a unique blend of imagination and practicality. As Mann explains, "If you take a baseball movie, you have nothing without bats, balls, and gloves. What do I do? I bring the life." When props fail—like the infamous fake plastic baby in American Sniper—they break the suspension of disbelief, highlighting their critical role.
Crafting Worlds from Scratch
For genres like sci-fi and fantasy, not everything can be rented from a prop house. Jamie Wilkinson, a prop master for films like Wicked and Star Wars, prefers "creating crazy new world stuff." He assembles crews of up to 100 prop-makers and specialists, such as chocolatiers for Wonka. Real props, he finds, elicit better actor responses: "If the actors can physically see magic happening in front of them, you get a different response."
Hero Props and Detailed Design
Particular attention goes to "hero props"—key pieces with significant screen time. For Elphaba's broomstick in Wicked, Wilkinson's team created about 30 designs over 20 weeks, from sketches to clay sculptures. The final gnarled, root-twisted design was chosen with input from actor Cynthia Erivo, showcasing how actors often have instincts for their characters' props. Similarly, Catherine Miller, prop master for Severance, fabricated retro-futuristic office equipment, like keyboards missing escape keys to symbolise worker entrapment, delighting fans who spotted these metaphors.
Challenges of Authenticity and Safety
Stories set in the real world pose unique difficulties. Miller points out that productions in the recent past are tricky because objects aren't vintage enough to collect nor modern enough to buy. For Uncut Gems, set in 2012, she struggled to source period-appropriate iPhones and laptops, sometimes modifying new devices. Historical projects require rigorous research; Dean Eilertson, a "method prop master" for Shōgun, worked with advisers to source authentic 1600s Japanese items, using bamboo replicas for samurai swords to ensure safety.
The Blur Between Real and Fake
Props often blur reality due to budget, safety, or availability. Prop masters use workarounds like synthetic gems, retractable needles, or resin "chocolate" bars. Fakery isn't always cheap—Barry Wilkinson handled the Heart of the Ocean necklace from Titanic, made with blue cubic zirconias but still expensive. Creativity abounds: Mann once used a dog bone wrapped in fondant and cheese to mimic a zombie's chicken drumstick, and substituted sorbitol for lactose powder to simulate cocaine for an intolerant actor.
Recognition and Legacy
Props can have lives beyond the set. After Titanic, Asprey created a real version of the necklace, worn by Céline Dion, and Elphaba's broom is sold online. In 2024, the Property Masters Guild introduced the MacGuffin awards, named after plot-driving objects in Hitchcock films. Mann, who once missed an Emmy nomination due to lack of category, won for Lessons in Chemistry, finding it "touched a really deep part of my heart" as peers chose the winners. This recognition may finally bring prop masters the industry notice they deserve.
