The Art Department’s Bible
A prop list is one of the most essential pre-production documents created by the art department. It is a comprehensive inventory of every physical object that a character interacts with or that is specifically featured in a scene. The list is meticulously compiled by the prop master and their team by breaking down the screenplay on a scene-by-scene, page-by-page basis.
Categorizing the Props
A detailed prop list is often organized into several categories to streamline the process of acquiring and managing the items:
- Hero Props: These are the most important props, used directly by the main characters. They are often seen in close-up and must be of the highest quality. Examples include a protagonist’s signature weapon, a crucial letter, or a specific watch.
- Background Props (Set Dressing): These are the items that fill out the environment but are not directly handled by the actors, such as the books on a shelf or the paintings on a wall. While technically part of set dressing, they are often tracked by the prop department.
- Consumable Props: Any prop that is used up or destroyed during a take, such as food that is eaten, glasses that are smashed, or documents that are burned. The prop master must ensure there are enough duplicates for multiple takes.
For each item, the list will include the scene number it appears in, a description, and notes on how it will be acquired—whether it needs to be bought, rented from a prop house, or custom-built by the art department. This list forms the master plan for the entire props team.