Prop master/prop mistress jobs in Finland
Prop masters/mistresses setup, prepare, check and maintain objects used on stage by actors or other small movable objects called props. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and prepare the props. During a performance they position props, hand them over or take them back from the actors.
Prop master/prop mistress - 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.
Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.
Set, remove, or move props on a stage during a changeover.
Adapt existing props for use in a specific production.
Draw prop sketches and define prop materials and building methods
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.
Prepare and operate stage effects, preset and changeover the props during rehearsals and live performances.
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.
Prepare stage food, blood and other effects.
Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.
Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
Make sure props are set up on the stage or set according to the time schedule.
Arrange props on the stage in preparation of a performance.
Coordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.
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.
Check, maintain and repair props.
Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
Inspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.
Prop master/prop mistress - 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.
Plan the pyrotechnical effects for a performance. Develop an artistic vision into a plan, taking safety into account.
Obtain the appropriate administrative permits and licences for use and transport of pyrotechnics and weapons.
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.
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution independently. Measure and power up an installation.
Acquire weapon props to be used for live performances.
Set up sound, light and video equipment on stage before performance event according to specifications.
Check, maintain and repair stage weapons.
Recommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.
Safely and systematically store weapon props.
Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
Prepare stage weapons for use on stage.
File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
Market one's own strengths in terms of skills and knowledge.
Assemble scenic elements, dance and stage floors and stage cloths, based on written documents
Prepare a plan of how weapon props will be used during a live performance.
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.
Take the necessary steps to operate pyrotechnical effects during a performance.
Interpret the designs and other scenic drawings to clearly mark the information from the ground plans to the stage area.
Change-over of scenic elements during performance, and follow the relevant documentation during performance.
Documenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.
Safely dismantle sound, light and video equipment after a performance event. Make sure the equipment is correctly stored away.
Safely store materials used for pyrotechnical stage effects.
Take necessary precautions while preparing, transporting, storing, training and operating stage weapons (stabbing weapons, shooting weapons, etc).
Obtain and administrate permits and licences for use and transport weapons on stage.
Decide what materials the props will be made from, and document the conclusions.