Prop maker jobs in Finland
Prop makers construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain props used on stage and for filming movies or television programs. Props may be simple imitations of real life objects, or may include electronic, pyrotechnical, or other effects. Their work is based on artistic vision, sketches and plans. They work in close cooperation with the designers involved in the production.
Prop maker - Which skills are essential?
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
Adapt existing props for use in a specific production.
Build mechanical or electrical devices into props.
Work with creative personnel to design special effects involving props using mechanical or electrical devices. Advise on feasibility and develop the needed prop effects.
Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are aware of fire prevention measures.
Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.
Check up on, maintain and repair tools and machinery used for onstage purposes, such as lighting equipment, stage sets or scene-change machinery.
Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.
Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
Keep the workshop space in working order and clean.
Decide on how to build the necessary props and document the process.
Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders.
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.
Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
Interpret the artistic intentions of the author.
Check, maintain and repair props.
Build props from a variety of materials, working with the design staff to create the appropriate prop for the production.
Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.
Prop maker - Which skills are useful but not essential?
Make sketches of envisioned props to help develop the concept and to share with others.
Manage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Manage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Work with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
Plan workshop activities according to production needs.
Buy the required props for a performance.
Intervene in the case of a fire in order to extinguish the fire or limit the effects pending the arrival of emergency services according to training and procedures.
Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution independently. Measure and power up an installation.
Attend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.
Support designers in the course of the developing process.
File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
Market one's own strengths in terms of skills and knowledge.
Arrange the space of an equipment workshop to ensure maximum efficiency, including installing ligh fixtures, a workbench, etc. Decide on the activities and equipment to fit in and the most convenient way to work.
Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.
The characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.
Work with the staff responsible for costumes and make up in line with their creative vision and obtain directions from them about how make-up and costumes should look.
Hand the right props to actors before each scene. Give them directions on how to use objects.
Work with the crew responsible for the lighting setup and operation to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
Take necessary precautions while preparing, transporting, storing, training and operating stage weapons (stabbing weapons, shooting weapons, etc).
Decide what materials the props will be made from, and document the conclusions.