The Unsung Heroes of Cinema: The Creative World of Prop Masters
In the glittering realm of cinema, certain objects capture our imagination long after the credits roll. Consider 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 backbone of storytelling, transforming staged sets into lived environments. Defined as anything used in a performance not part of the set or costumes, props range from the iconic to the forgotten, sourced or fabricated by a team overseen by the prop master—a gender-neutral term, though "prop mistress" is occasionally heard.
The Overlooked Craft of Prop Mastery
Despite their crucial role, prop masters often labour in obscurity, with their work rarely acknowledged by major awards. Jode Mann, a TV prop master in Los Angeles, recalls a poignant moment from the 1980s when working on Pee-wee's Playhouse. Star Paul Reubens attempted to nominate her for an Emmy, only to discover there was no category for her profession. Decades later, this oversight persists, even as the Oscars have introduced new awards for casting and stunt work. Prop mastery remains unrewarded, perhaps due to perceptions of it as overly logistical or unspecialised.
Yet, the job is deeply creative and essential to world-building. 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." Successful prop work often blends into the background, but errors—like the notorious fake plastic baby in American Sniper—can shatter the suspension of disbelief, highlighting their importance.
Creativity and Collaboration in Prop Design
Prop masters must possess a vivid imagination, especially for genres like sci-fi and fantasy where not everything can be rented. Jamie Wilkinson, whose credits include the Wicked films and Star Wars sequels, prefers creating "crazy new world stuff." For each project, he assembles crews of up to 100 prop-makers and specialists, such as a chocolatier for Wonka. He notes that directors cherish real props, as they elicit authentic reactions from actors: "If the actors can physically see magic happening in front of them, you get a different response."
Particular attention is paid to "hero props"—key pieces with significant screen time. For Elphaba's broomstick in Wicked, Wilkinson oversaw about 30 designs over 20 weeks, from sketches to clay sculptures, ultimately choosing a gnarled root design in consultation with actress Cynthia Erivo. Similarly, Catherine Miller, prop master for Severance, fabricated all office equipment to fit a retro-futuristic aesthetic, with keyboards missing escape keys as a metaphor for workers' predicaments—a detail fans celebrated on Reddit.
Challenges of Authenticity and Safety
Authenticity poses unique hurdles, especially for stories set in the recent past. Miller struggled with Uncut Gems, set in 2012, sourcing period-appropriate iPhones and laptops, sometimes modifying new devices with old cases. The film's standout prop, the golden Furby pendant, was crafted from scratch with a jewellery artist. For historical projects like Shōgun, set in 1600s Japan, prop master Dean Eilertson immersed himself in research, working with a historical adviser and purchasing antiques in Japan, from lacquer boxes to samurai saddles.
Safety is paramount, particularly with weapons. The tragic 2021 shooting on the set of Rust, where a live round was discharged from a prop revolver, underscores the high stakes. In Shōgun, most swords were painted bamboo replicas—indistinguishable on screen—to mitigate risks. Prop masters also employ workarounds for fakery, using synthetic gems, retractable needles, or resin "chocolate" bars to balance budget, safety, and realism.
From Set to Stardom: The Legacy of Props
Props can transcend their on-screen roles, entering popular culture. After Titanic, jewellers Asprey created an authentic version of the Heart of the Ocean necklace, worn by Céline Dion at the Oscars. Elphaba's broom is now sold online, with handmade versions on Etsy. For prop masters, seeing their creations take on new lives offers a rare moment of recognition.
In a step toward greater acknowledgement, the US-based Property Masters Guild inaugurated the MacGuffin awards in September 2024, named after Hitchcockian plot-driving objects. Jode Mann, honoured for her work on Lessons in Chemistry, expressed deep satisfaction, noting that winners are chosen by peers who understand the job's complexities. This initiative may finally bring the industry's attention to these creative artisans, celebrating their vital contributions to the magic of cinema.
