Working your way up through the ranks of a theater or film production company is the traditional path to becoming a property master. With the exception of costumes, which are worn by actors, property masters are in charge of all movable objects. A table and chairs, for example, are props that are managed by the property master. Property masters acquire props, care for them throughout the production, and collaborate with other members of the creative team to achieve the production’s desired look.
Someone who wants to become a property master may attend college in some cases. A college program in theater, television, or film production will teach students not only how to work with props, but also how to work with sets, costumes, and other aspects of the production. A college degree can be advantageous for certain types of jobs, and college also provides students with opportunities for internships, which can be beneficial to their resumes. To become a property master, however, you do not need to go to college.
The majority of property masters began their careers as production assistants who expressed an interest in working with props. They worked their way up through the props department, gradually taking on more responsibilities, and eventually rising to the position of property master. Property masters require a unique set of skills, including the ability to acquire unusual items, fabrication skills to create props when they are unavailable, and exceptional observation skills. For example, the property master must ensure that continuity is maintained. Many of these abilities are acquired through on-the-job training.
If you want to be a property master, you should expect to start at the bottom of the totem pole. People who are willing to work hard and adapt quickly to changing environments are more likely to be hired on future productions, particularly if they are also creative, innovative, and valuable to the production. People can apply for more advanced positions as they gain more experience.
People who enjoy looking for one-of-a-kind items might be a good fit for this job. Budgeting, inventory management, working with a diverse group of people, and meeting deadlines are all skills that a property master should possess. Deadlines can be extremely tight, especially in television, with a property master receiving a script and having to come up with props in a matter of weeks.