Props (English: property / properties) – all moveable objects, furniture and hand props visible on camera.
Hero props are usually made in 3-5 identical versions, as they are subject to wear and tear from multiple takes. Stunt props are often made of polyurethane foam (density 0.3-0.8 g/cm³) or balsa wood for safe action sequences. Edible props use food-grade materials such as glycerin for liquids or methylcellulose for slime consistency. Electronic props typically operate with 12V systems and LED lighting (2700-5600K color temperature) for camera compatibility. Period props require historically accurate materials and manufacturing techniques of the respective era.
Props originated with theater in ancient Greece, where the "skene" already used objects to support the plot. In 1895, the Lumière brothers introduced the first film props – mainly everyday objects. In 1924, MGM established Hollywood's first props department under Irving Thalberg. In 1977, "Star Wars" revolutionized prop making by using everyday objects as futuristic props – Luke's lightsaber was based on a 1940 Graflex flashgun. Today, 3D printers and CNC milling machines enable precise replication of complex objects.
In "Citizen Kane" (1941), RKO produced over 400 newspaper copies for the montage sequence. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981) used 12 identical gold idols – 8 made of fiberglass, 4 of bronze for weight scenes. Modern productions like "John Wick" (2014) employ armorer masters for authentic firearm handling. The prop master coordinates daily with the script supervisor on continuity – the position, condition, and use of each prop is photographically documented. For stunts, props are safety-checked 24-48 hours before shooting begins.
Set decoration encompasses immovable furnishings, while props refer to manipulable objects. Costume props such as jewelry or watches belong to wardrobe but remain the responsibility of props. Practical effects use mechanical props with pneumatics or pyrotechnics. Digital props are increasingly replacing elaborate practical versions – Marvel Studios has been combining practical hero props with CGI enhancements since 2008 for cost savings on duplicates.
Ich plane Props-Integration bereits bei Shotlists mit - reflektierende Oberflächen erfordern spezielle Beleuchtung, während matte Finishes Schatten schlucken. Hero Props brauchen meist eigene Lichtführung für optimale Texturwiedergabe, besonders bei Produktplatzierungen oder narrativ wichtigen Objekten. Bei 4K-Aufnahmen fallen billige Materialien sofort auf - Plastik statt Metall oder sichtbare Klebestellen.
Ich entwickle Props als narrative Werkzeuge - Rosebud in "Citizen Kane" oder der Ring in "Herr der Ringe" treiben die Handlung voran. Jede Requisite muss Charakter und Zeitperiode unterstützen, ohne vom Schauspiel abzulenken. Ich bestehe auf praktischen Props statt CGI, weil Schauspieler authentischer reagieren - die Interaktion mit echten Objekten erzeugt glaubwürdigere Performances.
Ich kalkuliere 3-8% des Gesamtbudgets für Props, abhängig vom Genre - Fantasy und Sci-Fi kosten das Doppelte von Contemporary Drama. Hero Props verursachen 60-80% der Props-Kosten bei nur 10% der Objektanzahl. Ich überwache Versicherung wertvoller Props und Zolldokumentation bei internationalen Drehs - ein defektes Hero Prop kann Drehstillstand bedeuten.
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Requisite"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?
The Lexikon is part of the Filmfarm ecosystem — alongside budgeting (FilmBalance), an industry magazine (FilmCircus) and crew networking (FilmCall, CrewMesh). One shared vocabulary for the whole production.