There are several different parts of planning a movie or film: hiring actors, finding equipment, and getting funding are just a few. But perhaps one of the most important parts of planning a movie is hiring set and prop designers. These designers play a crucial role in making a movie happen. So let’s take a closer look at why they’re so important to today’s movie industry.
The Importance of Sets and Props
Sets and props can make or break a scene. Without a proper set and props to work with, actors can have a pretty difficult time getting into their character. This is because they would essentially be standing in an empty room with nothing to hold or use. Props and sets play a key role in setting the time, place, and atmosphere of a scene. They can help tell which year the show is in, which part of the world, and even just what time of day. Fake movie props can also help build character development throughout the film, allowing both the actors and the viewers to understand changes characters go through. Overall, sets and props are essential to films and help make a movie the best it can be.
What Does a Set or Prop Designer Do?
So what role do set and prop designers play? For starters, they’re responsible for doing research to make sure that all the sets and props used throughout the film are historically accurate as needed. They work with other members of the team to sketch and design the sets and props that will be used to ensure everyone is on board. Collaboration is key between all of the members of the film team, but especially between set and prop designers. They need to have good planning skills, be able to follow a budget, and plenty of patience to work with whoever is actually building the sets and props. These designers play an instrumental role in making the film writers’ and producers’ visions come to life on screen.
Making sets and props for films is not an easy task. Between 1970 and 2000 alone, prop houses produced almost 270 types and 2,000 sub-types of prop money for movies. Without these designers to make sets and fake movie props, making great movies today wouldn’t be possible.