How Do Props Help Make Movies And TV Shows More Compelling?

Film and television sell us an illusion. It allows us to suspend our disbelief temporarily and immerse ourselves in different worlds and stories. 

Every detail of a fictional world has to work together seamlessly to maintain that illusion. Props are a vital part of that world-building and storytelling. 

Some movie props are now iconic and have sold for millions to collectors. The Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz and James Bond’s Lotus Submarine car are just two examples of props that have become icons in their own right.

Dorothy tapping her heels together to get home, and 007 escaping off the end of a pier are key plot points in the movies - starring what are now highly recognisable props!

Although not all props are essential to moving the plot along, all of them are important.

That is why a prop department is such a vital component of a professional film and TV production company.

What constitutes a prop?

Prop maker Ellen Gould defines props as “items on the film set that aren’t strictly a part of the set or the costume”. They can range in size from cars and boats to pens and teacups. 

The objects or items are movable, and they help the actors tell the story. Props can add depth and realism to a show or provide subtle information to the viewer about the characters or story arc. 

Prop modellers can also be tasked with producing or sourcing furniture for the set, too.

Why does the quality of props matter in film and TV?

Props that don’t function well, are poorly made, or inauthentic can do irreparable damage to a production. 

The objects shouldn’t distract the audience and pull them out of that dream-like state of full immersion. If they draw more attention than the plot requires, then a prop is not doing its job well. 

Props that clash with the visual aesthetic of the world or are anachronistic will undermine the credibility of the performance and the scene. For example, actors using badly made weapons that are too light or too plastic-looking will not be as believable. 

Instances of awful props in movies include the crystal skulls in Indiana Jones’ 2008 outing, which appeared far too light to be real. Even Harrison Ford’s acting chops couldn’t make it work!

Elsewhere, Robin Hood’s historically inaccurate telescope in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves is a fine example of a historical research fail. The blockbuster is set in the 12^th century, and telescopes weren’t invented until 1608.

Older movies are also rife with prop clangers; for example, the Terminator’s fake head in the 1984 film was laughably plastic.

What can you expect from a props department?

A props department is responsible for all the movable objects on set or in the studio. While they don’t look after the costumes, backdrops or scenery, they do work closely with other teams. 

Their job is to source or make authentic-looking props that support the production. Often props are bought or rented, which can add cost to a production. 

Using a studio with a readily available collection of props, such as The Longhouse Studio in Manchester, can save both time and money.

The props team handles every aspect of how the props are stored, transported and kept secure. Some of these objects are very expensive to make or buy, and need to be kept safe for thieves and damage. 

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the most expensive film prop ever made was a 120-foot-long ship built for Roman Polanski’s 1986 film Pirates, at an estimated £7 million. 

Obviously, a Spanish galleon is hard to steal, but the majority of props are relatively small in comparison. If they are mislaid or go missing, the props department will need to quickly source another to keep production on track. 

Prop management also includes a level of continuity management, and we all know how awkward that can be when it goes wrong. 

They ensure consistency of props between takes, making sure the actors and the objects around them don’t change or jump about when the scene is cut together. 

Prop use in television commercials

Props are not just for film and fictional television shows. They can be utilised in documentaries, cooking shows, news programmes and talent shows. 

Professional television commercial productions also use props, for example, fake food items or oversized packaging. 

The Sony Bravia 2005 television advert currently holds the record for the most props used in a commercial. 250,000 coloured balls were released on the streets of San Francisco to the soundtrack of José González’s Heartbeats, to create an iconic advert. 

The props in advertising are used to emphasise and highlight products rather than move a story plot along. Authenticity is less important, but they can still cause a howler if poorly made or used. 

Having access to a collection of high-quality, made or sourced props, and experts who know how to use them, will make all the difference to a production. 

Regardless of whether the audience is immersed in the world for a 15-second advert or a two-hour feature film, you don’t want to break the spell with bad props.