Arts & EntertainmentISCO 3435
Prop master/prop mistress
Prop masters/mistresses setup, prepare, check and maintain objects used on stage by actors or other small movable objects called props. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and prepare the props. During a performance they position props, hand them over or take them back from the actors.
Check yourself in a minute: prop master/prop mistress
Rate 5 of the 27 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
understand artistic concepts
safeguard artistic quality of performance
set up pyrotechnical equipment
change over props
adapt props
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (27)
work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.understand artistic conceptsunderstand artistic conceptsInterpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.safeguard artistic quality of performancesafeguard artistic quality of performanceObserve the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.set up pyrotechnical equipmentset up pyrotechnical equipmentMake sure the pyrotechnic equipment for a performance is set up and ready for operation.change over propschange over propsSet, remove, or move props on a stage during a changeover.adapt propsadapt propsAdapt existing props for use in a specific production.build devices into propsbuild devices into propsBuild mechanical or electrical devices into props.develop prop effectsdevelop prop effectsWork with creative personnel to design special effects involving props using mechanical or electrical devices. Advise on feasibility and develop the needed prop effects.work safely with machineswork safely with machinesCheck and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.manage stage effectsmanage stage effectsPrepare and operate stage effects, preset and changeover the props during rehearsals and live performances.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork 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.prevent fire in a performance environmentprevent fire in a performance environmentTake 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 awar...prepare stage effectsprepare stage effectsPrepare stage food, blood and other effects.prepare personal work environmentprepare personal work environmentCorrect settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.translate artistic concepts to technical designstranslate artistic concepts to technical designsCooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.work safely with chemicalswork safely with chemicalsTake the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.preset propspreset propsArrange props on the stage in preparation of a performance.organise resources for artistic productionorganise resources for artistic productionCoordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.define prop building methodsdefine prop building methodsDecide on how to build the necessary props and document the process.work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionwork safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.work with respect for own safetywork with respect for own safetyApply 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.maintain propsmaintain propsCheck, maintain and repair props.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.hand props to actorshand props to actorsHand the right props to actors before each scene. Give them directions on how to use objects.ensure visual quality of the setensure visual quality of the setInspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...
Optional (32) — show
draw up artistic productiondraw up artistic productionFile and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.draw prop sketchesdraw prop sketchesMake sketches of envisioned props to help develop the concept and to share with others.manage consumables stockmanage consumables stockManage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.plan pyrotechnical effectsplan pyrotechnical effectsPlan the pyrotechnical effects for a performance. Develop an artistic vision into a plan, taking safety into account.obtain pyrotechnic permitsobtain pyrotechnic permitsObtain the appropriate administrative permits and licences for use and transport of pyrotechnics and weapons.purchase propspurchase propsBuy the required props for a performance.design propsdesign propsDraw prop sketches and define prop materials and building methods.organise stageorganise stageMaking sure the scene elements like props and furniture are placed according to specifications, procuring the costumes and wigs and making sure everybody is ready in the right time and place.purchase stage weaponspurchase stage weaponsAcquire weapon props to be used for live performances.assemble performance equipmentassemble performance equipmentSet up sound, light and video equipment on stage before performance event according to specifications.maintain stage weaponsmaintain stage weaponsCheck, maintain and repair stage weapons.advise client on technical possibilitiesadvise client on technical possibilitiesRecommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.store stage weaponsstore stage weaponsSafely and systematically store weapon props.assemble the rehearsal setassemble the rehearsal setPut together all prepared scenic elements to prepare the rehearsal set.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...assemble scenic elements on stageassemble scenic elements on stageAssemble scenic elements, dance and stage floors and stage cloths, based on written documents.plan weapon use on stageplan weapon use on stagePrepare a plan of how weapon props will be used during a live performance.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach 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 professional network and stay up ...operate pyrotechnical controloperate pyrotechnical controlTake the necessary steps to operate pyrotechnical effects during a performance.consult with stakeholders on implementation of a productionconsult with stakeholders on implementation of a productionConsult with different people and groups who hold a stake in the production. Be on the same page on the practical side of the production, and keep them up to date.mark the stage areamark the stage areaInterpret the designs and other scenic drawings to clearly mark the information from the ground plans to the stage area.modify scenic elements during performancemodify scenic elements during performanceChange-over of scenic elements during performance, and follow the relevant documentation during performance.document your own practicedocument your own practiceDocumenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.train actors in the use of weaponstrain actors in the use of weaponsTrain performers to execute the planned weapon actions. Take safety into account.store performance equipmentstore performance equipmentDismantle sound, light and video equipment after a performance event and store in a safe place.store pyrotechnical materialsstore pyrotechnical materialsSafely store materials used for pyrotechnical stage effects and the produced trays of pyrotechnics sorting them according to the processing date.set up equipment in a timely mannerset up equipment in a timely mannerMake sure to set up equipment according to deadlines and time schedules.work safely with stage weaponswork safely with stage weaponsTake necessary precautions while preparing, transporting, storing, training and operating stage weapons (stabbing weapons, shooting weapons, etc).obtain stage weapon permitsobtain stage weapon permitsObtain and administrate permits and licences for use and transport weapons on stage.instruct on set up of equipmentinstruct on set up of equipmentInstruct others on how to properly and safely set up equipment according to specifications and regulations.define prop materialsdefine prop materialsDecide what materials the props will be made from, and document the conclusions.
Related Occupations
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Frequently asked questions
What does a prop master/prop mistress do?
Prop masters/mistresses setup, prepare, check and maintain objects used on stage by actors or other small movable objects called props. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and prepare the props. During a performance they position props, hand them over or take them back from the actors.
What skills does a prop master/prop mistress need?
A prop master/prop mistress needs 27 essential skills, including work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts, safeguard artistic quality of performance, set up pyrotechnical equipment, change over props.
Will AI replace prop master/prop mistress jobs?
The AI disruption score for prop master/prop mistress is 14/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, manage consumables stock, use technical documentation. Most resilient: change over props, work with respect for own safety, train actors in the use of weapons.
AI Replacement Risk
14/ 100
Very Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
SectorArts & Entertainment
ISCO GroupLegal, social, cultural and related associate professionals
Essential Skills27
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