Objects actor handles on camera—glass, cigarette, gun, book. Props master tracks these; set decorator sources and dresses them. Different from set dressing.
Hand Props
The actor reaches for a glass of water, lights a cigarette, places a book on the table — these tiny, everyday actions only work if the hand props are right. They are not decoration, but functional tools of the narrative. A glass must feel right in the hand for the actor to appear natural. A weapon must have the weight the character carries. A mobile phone — whether old or new — must fit the period and support visual credibility.
On set, the operational responsibility lies with the Set Decorator and their props team. They ensure that every hand prop is present, functional, and within reach before shooting begins. This sounds trivial, but it is critical: if the actor is supposed to reach for a cup and it's not exactly where the camera would expect it, the scene loses immediacy. The Props Master coordinates between the director, actors, and set decoration — an underestimated role. In larger productions, a separate Props Coordinator exists, solely responsible for hand props.
The practical challenge: hand props must be available in multiples. For repeats, for different takes, for safety. A glass of whiskey might be refilled 8 to 10 times. A cigarette must always be smoked to the same length, otherwise continuity is broken. This is called Continuity Matching — otherwise, editing becomes a nightmare. The camera assistant documents each take with Polaroids or digital notes: how full the glass was, how long the cigarette, in which hand the prop was held.
Also relevant for the camera: a hand prop can direct focus through a barely perceptible movement or position. A shiny object attracts the eye, but can also reflect and create distracting light effects. With the Director of Photography, it is discussed in advance if reflective surfaces could be problematic. Sometimes surfaces need to be matted or replaced.
The biggest pitfalls arise from a lack of planning. If a hand prop is only questioned on the shooting day, the opportunity has passed. Therefore: create the prop list precisely, far in advance. Discuss with the director. Rehearse the scenario. The things nobody expects are the most expensive — procuring temporarily incorrect items costs time and money, interrupting the shoot costs both multiple times.