The Prop Building Guidebook: For Theatre, Film, And TV

The Prop Building Guidebook: For Theatre, Film, and TV

About the AuthorEric Hart has built props for numerous theatres off-off Broadway, off-Broadway and Broadway, and has worked with some of America's top directors and designers at the Santa Fe Opera, the Actors Theatre of Louisville, and the Public Theater. He has also constructed props for display and exhibition, including the Macy's Herald Square Holiday Windows, Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows, and Lord and Taylor's Holiday displays. His articles about props have been published in Stage Directions Magazine. Eric's blog, covering all aspects of prop making, receives over 10,000 visits each month. Eric belongs to the Society of Properties Artisan Managers.Theatre and film frequently require replicas of three-dimensional objects built for actors to use. This book lays the groundwork for an artisan to determine what materials and techniques to use to build these props. Walking the reader through the various tools and techniques used in historical and contemporary prop-making, the author present a process for deciding the materials and methods to build any prop. With an explanation of how the craft and its products have developed over time, the budding artisan will understand not just how and when to use certain techniques or materials, but also why to use them and what advantages they give. It arms the prop maker with a structured procedure for approaching the construction of any prop. Illustrated with step-by-step examples of how to use each construction method, and explanations of different types of materials, this book gives the beginner prop artisan a strong foundation to approach the construction of props and answers the question, "How should I begin?"The author is hosting an online component to the book along with his successful blog. It will feature additional resources for the prop maker, including books, shops, contact information, and how-to videos.Places materials, methods, and techniques in a historical context to show what construction practices work best for different types of propsUses practial step-by-step examples of real props built for the stageA spiral-bound hardback book that will withstand the wear and tear of any prop maker's workshopReview'By focusing on how we build static objects using common materials...Hart has generated an excellent primer text for students and amateurs just getting into the field... [and] as a professional props master and a university instructor, I have found this book to be both a wonderful addition to my reference library and an invaluable teaching tool.' - Erin Freeman, UNC-Charlotte, Southern Theatre'In the preface to The Prop Building Guidebook For Theatre, Film, and TV, Eric Hart writes, "This book will show you how to look at an object you wish to create, break it apart into its component parts, and put it all together." His well-organized and beautifully illustrated book accomplishes this goal of familiarizing the reader with common tools, materials, and techniques used to build quality properties for a show, and it offers guidance that allows the user to select the most appropriate materials and best method of construction. Hart's writing style is straightforward and reflects a personal, tongue-in-cheek wit.[The book] is an equally valuable resource for the professional prop artisan, the experienced designer in an allied area who also works with properties, and for the student entering the world of design and technical entertainment production. It is an interesting and informative book for the first read-through. It could be used as part of a stagecraft or practicum course in an academic setting and certainly deserves a place on the reference shelf in the design studio or shop.' Lighting & Sound America, Book of the Month, December 2013 Issue'This compendium by Hart (a free-lance prop builder) is designed to assist amateur and professional properties artisans in planning and building properties for stage, television, and film. Organizin