The Properties Department forms part of the Art Department, and its members are therefore responsible to the Production Designer. The Properties Department comprises of a team of skilled individuals, overseen by Properties Masters¹. Members of the team include: Standby and Dressing Props, Props Storemen, Props Drivers and Prop Makers.

The Department also includes specialists, such as Greensmen and Armourers, who may or may not be involved in productions, depending on script and/or budgetary requirements. Many of the roles can be physically demanding, as significant manual labour is involved. Those who work in the Properties Department are responsible for detailing all props required by scripts; hiring, buying or creating props; installing them on sets; ensuring their continuity throughout shoots; ensuring that they are safely stored during shoots; and returning them to the relevant sources, or disposing of them appropriately and safely, at the end of the filming process.

No specific qualifications or training are necessary to work in the Properties Department. However, a background in Art and/or Design is desirable, and experience in making things is useful. Technical drawing abilities are highly valued. Props staff must be multi-skilled, and any specialist ability in craftwork, DIY or fine art is welcomed and utilised by the department. Some knowledge of the film industry is desirable, but not essential. Promotion within the Department takes time and experience, and many of the roles (Properties Master, Dressing Props, Standby Props) are not entry-level positions. Practitioners usually begin as juniors in the Art Department, and progress by learning on the job, working with, and learning from, more experienced props staff.

The progression route traditionally runs from Junior to Props Driver or Props Man, to Standby Props, Dressing Props, Props Storeman, Assistant Properties Master and finally to Properties Master. Because film work is on a freelance basis, there is often a crossover of roles in the Properties Department. Dressing Props may work as Standby Props if no Dressing work is available, and vice versa. On low budget productions, many props roles may be blended into one, e.g., Properties Masters may carry out the work of Prop Makers, or Dressing Props. All those working in the Props Department require the following knowledge and skills:

• Meticulous attention to detail, and strong organisational skills
• An imaginative approach to their work, and the ability to solve problems creatively
• Spatial awareness and a sense of design
• The ability to work to deadlines, to extremely high standards of accuracy, in pressurized and often cramped environments, as part of a team
• A full EU driving licence
• Computer literacy (PC and Mac)
• DIY skills
• A knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
• A passion for film
• A positive attitude and cheerful disposition