# Property master

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Property_master
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{{About|theater employee|real estate and building manager|Property manager}}{{Short description|Person overseeing props for a production}}
The '''property master''', often called the '''props master''', is an [artistic](/source/artistic) and organizational employee in a [film](/source/film), [television](/source/television) or [theatrical](/source/theatrical) production who is responsible for purchasing, acquiring, manufacturing, properly placing, and/or overseeing any [prop](/source/Theatrical_property)s needed for a production. The property master also works with other members of the production managing the physical appearance of the [stage](/source/Stage_(theatre)) or [set](/source/Film_set); for example, they might work with the [script supervisor](/source/script_supervisor) to maintain set [continuity](/source/continuity_(fiction)). The property master is on staff during preproduction, develops the stylistic concept of the physical production, then continues on as a member of the physical shooting/production crew.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theatre.barnard.edu/sites/default/files/inline/props_master_0.pdf |work=[Barnard College](/source/Barnard_College) Department of Theatre, Production Crew Job Descriptions |title=Properties Master |access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref> A person responsible for purchasing the props can be called a '''props buyer''' or '''production buyer'''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/articles/art20130702112135897 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810081937/https://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/articles/art20130702112135897 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |title=Profile: props buyer |work=[BBC Academy](/source/BBC_Academy) |publisher=[BBC](/source/BBC) |date=11 September 2017 |access-date=9 August 2019}}</ref>

== Role ==
During preproduction, the prop master develops a props breakdown. This is essentially mapping out the logical progression of each prop throughout the story.  In film and television productions the prop master maintains the logical progression while shooting by ensuring the props are positioned in their correct logical place for each scene according to the props breakdown. If the logical progression of a prop changes during shooting, the props breakdown is revised to reflect the change.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://filmtvcareers.about.com/od/basics/p/CP_PropMaster.htm |title=How to Become a Prop Master in Film and TV |first=Phil |last=Breman |work=Film/TV Careers |date=19 February 2008 |access-date=3 October 2018 |publisher=[About.com](/source/About.com)}}</ref>

This job description varies somewhat from country to country. In the United States, [food styling](/source/food_styling), weapons and animals are often directly or indirectly within the property master's domain.

The job is a collaboration with the [director](/source/Film_director), [production designer](/source/production_designer), [cameraman](/source/cameraman), [set decorator](/source/set_decorator) and other members of the production to physically express their stylistic and [aesthetic](/source/aesthetic) requirements. They maintain their own budget. There are physical aspects of productions that are managed by specialists other than the property master, for example [costume designer](/source/costume_designer)s are responsible for the actors' dress, and [weapons master](/source/weapons_master)s are responsible for any weapons (firearms, blades, staff-based or otherwise).

In professional theatre, the property master is responsible for the setup and organization of the props.
The property master is directed by the director.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{film crew}}
{{Running crew}}
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Category:Filmmaking occupations
Category:Stage crew
Category:Theatrical occupations
Category:Television terminology
Category:Mass media occupations

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Property master](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Property_master) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Property_master?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.