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January 14th, 2011
On a production of any size, props and their care are paramount. Clearly identifying who takes care of props, who uses them and who’s responsible for their supervision can help your production run more efficiently, free from the stresses and emotional meltdowns associated with those moments when everybody realises that collection of bicycles WASN’T for folks to borrow at their leisure to nip to the shop, but was in fact rented from us for your production…. and now three of them are missing.
Store props safely and securely
Elementary as it may sound, taking the proper precautions when it comes to safeguarding even the smallest of props is vital. Particularly small productions sometimes suffer a little when it comes to storage space.
However, if you lose a prop or it becomes damaged through poor storage, it creates a troublesome situation for all of us.
Create a schedule
Film and stage props are more likely to be lost or damaged when left lying around or unused for long periods of time. Create a schedule and do your best to stick to it, keeping stage props and other components out of harm’s way as much as possible.
Handle with care
Some larger film and stage props can be dangerous when handled incorrectly. Avoid letting folks on set mess about with props. We know how tempting it is to dress-up in our hired suits of armour and play knights (you should see our warehouse), but safety and sensibility should always come first.
Tags: organising props, Prop Hire, prop scenery, Props
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November 20th, 2010
Finding the perfect stage props for your production can be more difficult than it sounds. This is especially so if you are involved with a play or opera which is a period piece, where costumes and other props must reflect the age the show is set in. Even if you find the perfect period piece that sums up the looks and themes you need to convey, it may look wrong when you finally get it on stage if the stage props are not right.
Lights and perspective – the way the audience sees the props – may change how an item looks, while their relationship with the other parts of the theatre sets may make them look unrealistic. You can see already why it is important to modify your props or have them designed specially for the show so that they end up looking more authentic than the item themselves. Finding such an item or making it yourself could end up being costly, and if you belong to a small amateur dramatics society, this will put a big dent in your budget.
But there is a solution to this problem. Instead of buying or making the necessary stage props, you can rent them from a company which specialises in prop hire. Providing you choose the right props company, they will have a lot of experience in working out the best ways to achieve authentic stage props and movie props. Have a look at some of the great ideas for stage props right here on the Keeley Hire website and you can see for yourself just how authentic they will look on your stage.
Tags: organising props, prop hire company, Props, props supplier
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November 17th, 2010
It may surprise you to know that the number of people in Britain who are involved with amateur dramatic societies is greater than the number who watch football, which underlines just how popular amateur theatre is. The size and style of drama society varies greatly and can be anything from half a dozen people staging a play for one night only, to bigger semi professional companies which tour the UK with their productions and compete in drama festivals.
Some people who are not involved with the theatre make the mistake of thinking that because a drama society is amateur, this means that their productions are amateurish. Of course, there will be some out there who are a little less than professional when their play hits the stage. This means that the show will be flawed, but the majority of those who belong to companies take a great pride in their roles, whether they are actors or the people behind the scenes who look after important aspects, such as sound, lighting and stage props.
The people who look after theatre sets are just as important as the actors because without them, there simply would not be a production. These people are the ones who are responsible for the stage props which are used to enhance different aspects of the play. Although you don’t see them, spare a thought for these unsung heroes the next time you watch a play, whether it is in the West End or at your local village hall.
Tags: organising props, Prop Hire, Props, Stage Props
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November 2nd, 2010
You’ll have seen them in every film, television and stage show you have ever watched, but the chances are you won’t really notice them. Stage props are intended to get a particular point across to the audience, without the viewer realising that they aren’t actually real. If you don’t notice them, they are doing their job.
Although some props are complicated and sophisticated these days, they have been used by actors for more than a thousand years. In fact, the history of these items dates back to the early Greek dramas, which were performed by actors wearing masks. However, it wasn’t until the 17th century that acting troupes began to use bigger and more realistic props regularly. The term ‘props’ derives from property, and originally referred to items which belonged to the company. So why are they used? Well, they help create the alternate reality of the production and convey meaning to the audience. For example, if a stage production is not using many of them, and a cup suddenly appears, the audience will realise there is something significant about the cup.
There are several different types of props. Hand props are those that are small enough to be held by the actor, such as a pen. Dress props are those that are not worn but add to the costume, such as a briefcase, a brolly or a hat. All of these items help the actors to make a particular point as they tell their story to the audience.
Tags: organising props, Prop Hire, Props, Stage Props, Theatrical Props
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June 30th, 2010
It is the job of a prop master to take responsibility for all of the props used on stage or set. Props are any item used on stage which is moveable. Actors use props for a variety of reasons whilst on stage. They can be used to further the plot. For instance, a mobile phone used for an important phone call in a play, or a newspaper which reveals some new and important information to the actor, are both good examples of the ways in which props can be used. If the script requires props to be used, it is up to the prop master to source them and ensure they are ready and waiting to be used.
The prop master will source props from many different places. Props can be hired from a company, such as here at Keeley Hire, they can be bought outright, or, they can be made by the production design team. The prop master will usually work very closely with the production designer, to ensure that they have the same vision for how the set will look. Creating the right atmosphere is a very important part of staging any play, or producing any film. It can be the difference between an average production and a great one; this is why the job of prop master is an important one.
If you are interested in becoming a prop master, it is wise to study art or work in an art and design based industry. This will give you a good background knowledge, which will help you succeed in the field.
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June 23rd, 2010
Props are used in many different industries and fields today. Of course, they are most commonly used in films and on the stage, but they can also be utilized in photography studios, motivational speeches, as teaching aids and so on. Props are objects which are used to illustrate a point, or by an actor or actress on stage as part of their character. For example, the umbrella carried by Mary Poppins, the sword Tybalt uses to kill Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, or a book held by the subject in a photo shoot, are all examples of props in action.
Most props which are used, particularly in film and theatre, are meticulously researched before use. Most films and plays are set in a certain time frame, and this means that any props used in the course of the production must have its roots in that particular time. Imagine the audience’s reaction if Romeo pulled out his mobile phone and called Juliet; all credibility would be lost. In any production, there is usually a person whose sole job it is to source good quality, authentic props which, will fit seamlessly into the production and enhance the atmosphere.
It can be difficult to source good quality props; especially in these financially difficult times, when budgets have to be stuck to – or else. This is why prop hire can be a better solution than buying or designing your own props. At Keeley Hire, we have a vast selection of props, just waiting to star in the next big production.
Tags: authentic props, organising props, Prop Hire, prop hire company, Props
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June 8th, 2010
Props, in film and theatre, are objects which are either handled by an actor on stage, or used to dress the stage itself. For example, a newspaper held by an actor, or a newsstand on stage, would both be considered as props. Props are used in a production to create interesting visuals, and to further the dialogue and performance of the actors. Props should be used only when they are really needed to improve the production.
Too many props can ruin an otherwise excellent production and, adversely, an excellent prop can improve upon an already great production, too. Below are just a few ways that props can enhance your production.
1. Props can draw the viewers’ attention. An interesting prop will make the audience take notice – no matter what.
2. Props can be used as a focal point. A truly great prop will convey something about the production, and add extra information not conveyed by the actors. If you want to bring a certain theme to the table, without pushing it overtly, a well-chosen prop can do the trick.
3. They are memorable. Good props stick in your mind. No one forgets the TARDIS in Doctor Who, or the pen from Casino. Remembering visuals is much easier than remembering dialogue, and scenes such as the ‘pen scene’ become legendary, and are remembered long after.
If you wish to enhance your production with props, check us out at Keeley Hire. We offer good quality props for hire at a great price.
Tags: organising props, Prop Hire, Props, props supplier, Stage Props
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April 28th, 2010
In the theatre, when a production is taking place, there will always be a props table backstage. A props table is basically a table that has all of the stage props for the evening’s show placed on it. The actors will take their props from the table before appearing on stage with them. It is important that actors can find the stage props they need to use in any given scene quickly, in order to avoid missing their cue. This makes setting the prop table correctly an important task. Below is a brief guide to setting the props table correctly:
Compile a list of props to be used in the show. You can hire props from a company such as ours at Keeley Hire; we have a vast array of stage props waiting for you.
Then you need to work out the order in which they will be used on stage. Once this is done, you can arrange them on the props table in the correct order, making it easy for the actors to find the right prop at the right time. Heavy props should be placed on the floor for safety reasons.
Many stage managers like to cover the props table with a thick fabric, so that in the event a prop is hastily thrown onto the table, it will not make a loud sound which could disrupt the show. You should also be aware that things can change on stage and you may need to change the order of the props on the table to accommodate this, so keep an eye on proceedings through the night.
Tags: organising props, Prop Hire, Props, props table, Stage Props
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