Prop maker
Career outlook for prop maker
Average UK salary
£28,600
Currently employed in Scotland
4,800
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
Make the realistic-looking objects used to help set the scene in plays, films and television programmes. Your props would help audiences to get into the world of the show.
You might make anything from fake jewellery to replica weapons and moving models, depending on what the script calls for.
There’s a wide range of practical and craft skills you might use in this job, including:
- Carpentry
- Sculpting
- Casting
- Sewing
- Painting
- Welding
You’d work with a variety of materials such as metal, latex, fibreglass, wood or fabric. You’d use many different hand and power tools – anything from paintbrushes to welding equipment.
You would:
- Discuss the brief with the production designer, set designer or props master
- Make props as shown in rough sketches or detailed designs
- Use computer-aided design to develop ideas
- Do historical or cultural research to make objects look authentic
- Experiment with different materials and techniques to create realistic effects
- Adapt existing items, for example ‘distress’ an object to make it look old
- Hire or buy props
- Repair props
On larger productions - typically in film and TV - you would work closely with a team including production designers, set designers, set builders, wardrobe and costume staff and model makers.
On smaller productions - often in theatre - you might build sets and work on costumes as well as making props.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
57%
Part-time
8%
Self employed
36%
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- Taking initiative
- Attention to detail
- Cooperating
- Researching
- Designing
- Creative
- Problem solving
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Qualifications
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role but many prop makers study at college or university in areas such as Technical Theatre, or 3D design and Model Making.
You can enter some design National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF 2-6) with no formal qualifications but some courses ask for National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
To enter a degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of three Highers or a relevant HNC/HND.
Useful subjects
- English (required by many courses)
- Maths (required by many courses)
- Art and design subjects such as design and manufacture
- Practical technologies
Helpful to have
Qualifications and experience that show a range of practical or creative skills such as art, design, manufacture and visual communication, such as Skills for Work Creative Industries (SCQF level 5).