Editing Prop

{{Short description|Movable object used by actors on a stage or set}}
{{Other uses}}
[[File:Theatrical props from "Oliver".jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|A prop table backstage for the musical number "[[Food, Glorious Food]]" in the musical production, ''[[Oliver!]]'']]

A '''prop''', formally known as a ('''theatrical''') '''property''',<ref>[http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/english/property Oxford Dictionaries Online] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817070616/http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/english/property |date=2016-08-17 }} "old-fashioned term for prop"</ref> is an object  [[actor]]s use on stage or screen during a [[performance]] or [[Filmmaking#Production|screen production]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Roth, Emily|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/940795601|title=Stage management basics : a primer for performing arts stage managers|others=Allender-Zivic, Jonathan, McGlaughlin, Katy.|year=2017|isbn=978-1-138-96055-8|location=New York|oclc=940795601}}</ref> In practical terms, a prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinct from the actors, scenery, costumes, and electrical equipment. This includes handheld items such as books, cups, weapons, and tools that actors interact with during a performance. Props help to create a realistic setting, convey information, or add to the storytelling by showing details about the characters or the environment.<ref name="Nesfield-Cookson">{{cite book |last=Nesfield-Cookson |first=Mary |title=Small Stage Properties and Furniture |url=https://archive.org/details/smallstageproper00nesf |url-access=registration |year=1934 |publisher=G. Allen & Unwin |location=London |page=[https://archive.org/details/smallstageproper00nesf/page/11 11]}}</ref><ref name="Govier">{{cite book |last=Govier |first=Jacquie |title=Create Your Own Stage Props |year=1984 |publisher=Prentice-Hall |location=Englewood Cliffs, NJ |page=[https://archive.org/details/createyourownsta00govi/page/8 8] |isbn=0-13-189044-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/createyourownsta00govi/page/8 }}</ref><ref name="Harris">{{cite book |last=Harris |first=Margaret |editor=Motley |title=Theatre Props |year=1975 |publisher=Drama Book Specialists/Publishers |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/theatreprops0000motl/page/7 7] |chapter=Introduction |isbn=0-910482-66-7 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/theatreprops0000motl/page/7 }}</ref>

==Term==

The earliest known use of the term "properties" in English to refer to stage accessories is in the 1425 CE [[morality play]], ''[[The Castle of Perseverance]]''.<ref name="Hart">{{cite web |url = http://www.props.eric-hart.com/education/first-use-of-property-in-the-theatrical-sense/ |title = First use of "Property" in the theatrical sense |last = Hart |first = Eric |date = 19 October 2009 |work = Prop Agenda |access-date = 7 April 2013 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222041525/http://www.props.eric-hart.com/education/first-use-of-property-in-the-theatrical-sense/ |archive-date = 22 February 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Cook">{{cite news |title=Stage Properties |first=Dutton |last=Cook |magazine=Belgravia |volume=35 |pages=282–284 |year=1878 }}</ref>

During the [[Renaissance]] in Europe, small acting troupes functioned as cooperatives, pooling resources and dividing any income. Many performers provided their own costumes and small objects needed for performance, hence the term "property" suggesting these items belonged to the people on stage.<ref name="Harris" /> Conversely, items such as stage weapons or furniture may have been acquired specially and considered "company property".<ref name="Partridge">[[Eric Partridge]] ''Origins: A Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English: Second Edition''. [[Random House]] 1959</ref><ref name="Macgowan">Kenneth Macgowan and William Melnitz ''The Living Stage''. Prentice-Hall 1955.</ref>

The ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' finds the first usage of "props" in its shortened form in 1841, while the singular form "prop" appeared in 1911.<ref>prop, n./6; Third edition, September 2009; online version November 2010. <http://www.oed.com:80/Entry/152851>; accessed 13 January 2011. An entry for this word was first included in New English Dictionary, 1908.</ref>

"Property" and "prop" apply not only to props used in theatre, but also to props used in film and television. Properties director Bland Wade said "A coffee cup onstage is a coffee cup on television, is a coffee cup on the big screen," adding "There are definitely different responsibilities and different vocabulary."<ref name="Wade">{{cite journal |title=Through the Eyes of the Property Director |first=Bland |last=Wade |journal=Theatre Symposium |volume=18 |page=8 |year=2010 |issn=1065-4917 |isbn=978-0-8173-7005-3}}</ref>

==Backstage and on stage==

[[File:Fundus Nationaltheater Mannheim.jpg|thumb|right|Props storage room of the [[Mannheim National Theatre]], Germany]]
During a performance props are set up in order, off stage on a table in an easily accessed area or pre-set on-stage before the performance begins by the [[Stage management|assistant stage manager (ASM)]].
The person in charge of preparing, maintaining and acquiring props is generally called the [[property master]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Primrose |first1=Jon |title=Theatre props table |url=http://www.propstable.com/ |website=theatrecrafts.com |access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref>

==Types==
Most props are ordinary objects. Some may require modification, such as rewiring of lamps to be compatible with [[dimmers]] or painting to make an object look used or be more visible from [[front of house]] under bright or dim lighting.

Props may also be manufactured specially for the production. This may be for reasons of weight, durability and safety or the item may be unique in appearance and/or function.

=== Weapons ===
{{Redirect|Prop weapon|weapons used for simulated combat in [[live-action roleplaying game|LARP]]s|Foam weapon}}

A prop weapon, such as a gun or sword, can be a replica, a real weapon or a real weapon which has been modified to be non-functional.

To make [[melee]] weapons non-functional, swords often have their edges and points dulled. Knives are often made of plastic or rubber or have retractable blades.

Rubber bladed swords and guns may be used by [[Stunt performer|stuntmen]] or actors where the action does not require detailed or functional weapons, in order to minimise risk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racprops.com/issue3/editorial/|title=A Collector's Guide To Hand Props|last=Coyle|first=Richard|publisher=RACprops|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603195326/http://racprops.com/issue3/editorial/|archive-date=3 June 2009|url-status=live|access-date=9 July 2009}}</ref>

====Firearms====
{{Main|Weapons master}} {{Main|Prop gun}}
It is common for functioning firearms to be used in film and television productions usually firing [[blank ammunition|blanks]].

Due to the increased level of risk it is standard practice for the safe and proper handling and use of firearms as props to be overseen by a specifically trained and licensed professional, usually called the weapons master or armourer.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Brown |first1=Dave |title=Filming with Firearms |journal=American Society of Cinematographers |date=18 July 2019 |url=https://ascmag.com/blog/filmmakers-forum/filming-with-firearms |access-date=27 October 2021}}</ref>

Although blank cartridges do not fire projectiles, they still have an explosive charge and can cause fatal injury.

[[Dummy round|Dummy bullets]] are used if the prop is in [[Close-up|closeup]] and chambered rounds in the cylinder of a revolver are visible to camera. The can also be used in shots of the actor loading a weapon or merely handling ammunition. Dummy bullets contain no primer or charge and are only "bullet shaped objects"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Savage|first=Adam|date=25 November 2020|title=Adam Savage's One Day Builds: Hellboy Samaritan Bandolier!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww7Ts37eN2g |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Ww7Ts37eN2g |archive-date=2021-12-21|url-status=live|access-date=2 November 2021|website=You Tube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Although rare, fatal firearm related incidents have occurred, notably [[Jon-Erik Hexum]] on October 18, 1984, [[Brandon Lee]] on March 31, 1993, and [[Halyna Hutchins]] [[Rust shooting incident|on October 21, 2021]].

=== Breakaway ===
[[File:Cleveland turning into Metropolis for the Superman Movie (53811213537).jpg|thumb|right|A crew member carries prop concrete debris on the set of ''[[Superman (2025 film)|Superman]]''.]]
Breakaway props are designed to be destroyed or break in use, such as furniture made from [[balsa]]-wood or cardboard and windows, bottles and glassware made from [[sugar glass]] or resin.<ref>{{cite web |title=How breakable props are made for movies and TV shows | date=28 February 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRpIk7yd2RA  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/FRpIk7yd2RA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=Movies Insider - You Tube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Cups, plates or vases may be made from [[Biscuit (pottery)|bisque]] or wax.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biscuit pottery/Bisque pottery |url=https://www.theatrecrafts.com/pages/?s=biscuit+pottery&sentence=1&searchsubmit.x=19&searchsubmit.y=11 |website=theatrecrafts.com}}</ref>

Although these are relatively safe, a [[stunt double]] may replace the main actor for scenes involving their use.

=== Hero ===
Hero props are the more detailed pieces intended for close inspection by the camera or audience. The hero prop may have legible writing, lights, moving parts, or other attributes or functions missing from a standard prop. The name refers to their typical use by main characters in a production.

A hero prop [[Weapons in Star Trek#Phaser|phaser]] from the ''[[Star Trek]]'' franchise, for example, might include a depressible trigger and a light-up muzzle and display panel (all of which would make the hero prop more expensive and less durable).

=== Money ===
Although real money can be used,<ref name="MovieMaker">{{cite web |last1=Molloy |first1=Tim |title=Cinema Law: Can I Film U.S. Currency? |url=https://www.moviemaker.com/cinema-law-can-i-film-u-s-currency/ |website=MovieMaker |date=22 May 2021 |access-date=23 October 2021}}</ref> when large quantities are required or the money is to be destroyed, it is usually more practical for [[facsimiles]] to be used, which are made to not only look realistic but also comply with counterfeiting laws.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/rjr-props-fake-money/index.html|title=Where does fake movie money come from?|last1=Prisco|first1=Jacopo|date=22 February 2019|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref>

== Collecting ==
In recent years, the increasing popularity of [[movie memorabilia]] has elevated many props to the status of prized collectors items. "Screen-used" props can fetch vast sums at auctions and charity benefits.<ref name="Mohr">Ian Mohr ''[[Daily Variety]]''. Reed Business Information, February 27, 2006 [https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/props-on-the-block-1117938954/ "Movie props on the block: Mouse to auction Miramax leftovers"] </ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nevins |first1=Jake |title=The world's most expensive film props and costumes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/gallery/2017/nov/27/the-worlds-most-expensive-film-props-and-costumes-in-pictures |access-date=27 October 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=27 November 2017}}</ref>

There is also a growing industry in the making of replicas of well known hero props for home display, [[cosplay]] or [[LARP]] use.

== See also ==
* {{annotated link|Earl Hays Press}}
* [[Stembridge Gun Rentals]], a major supplier of prop firearms to the US movie and television industry from 1920 to 2007
* [[Film memorabilia]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book
|last=Sofer
|first=Andrew
|title=The Stage Life of Props
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tc9x7eS23vsC
|access-date=2009-01-30
|edition=illust.
|year=2003
|publisher=[[University of Michigan Press]]
|isbn=0-472-06839-3
}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.propmasters.org The Society Of Prop Artisan Managers]

{{Stagecraft}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Theatrical Property}}
[[Category:Prop design]]
[[Category:Repurposing]]

[[fr:Accessoire#Cinéma]]