“A prop, formally known as a theatrical property, is an object an actor uses on stage or screen during a performance or screen production.”
Oh neat, I didn’t know that either! Great post
“Back in the day, actresses were part of the props department.”
This intrigued me, but I can’t find any information about this. Except that on smaller productions especially back in the day, actors and actresses often worked in the prop department as well.
It’s from an SNL skit.
I was a prop propper, made proper prop props, propped the props with my props.
“I’m not a pheasant plucker, I’m a pheasant plucker’s son. I’m only plucking pheasants 'til the pheasant plucker comes.”
I’m not a pheasant plucker, I’m the pheasant plucker wife and I’ve been plucking pheasants my whole pheasant plucking life.
One of my favorite tongue twisters.
I had always thought that the term just came from objects that are used to give a little boost to (or prop up) a performance.
Now that’s a good TIL!
Here’s another one for you - the person in charge of extras is usually referred to as a “wrangler”. And the Best Boy is an electrical guy
The 2nd AD is the person in charge of extras.
There are two Best Boys, one for electrical and one for grip.
Oh shit, thanks, I’d actually forgotten the Grip, but in my defence, it’s been nearly thirty years since I worked in film. As for AD, our producer/director used wrangler, so I also thank you for the correction.
That is really cool!
I’m sure there’s a React joke to make here, can’t think of one though
the meaning also includes other things like PEOple, in worst case scenario for desperate “influencers” or another person .
What else could it possibly have meant?
I just thought prop meant prop.
Yep, I didn’t think it was short for anything. I thought it was its own word.
Decoration/background/objects that ‘prop up’ the performance?
I thought it was prop as in ‘prop up the performance’.
Yeah, when I worked in props (at Phantom of the Opera many moons ago) the job was still called property manager…
Upvoting you because I agree, it is obvious… but to me, only in retrospect.
