8 episodes
Props National Theatre
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- Arts
A prop, is an object used on stage by actors. Small props can be referred to as hand props. Whether it's a small hand-held prop or a piece of furniture, the National Theatre's Props Department is responsible for sourcing or producing props for all of the National's productions. This collection contains videos that demonstrate the different techniques that go into making all sorts of theatrical props, as well as giving an insight into how the props department of the National Theatre operates.
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Costume Props
The Costume Prop Department designs and makes costume items and technical elements of costume, such as jewellery, armour or millinery. Working with the designer's concept for the costumes, the costume propmakers explore the use of different materials to create the desired effects.
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Props buying
Often it is more appropriate to purchase props rather than make them; a variety of factors go into deciding why that might be the case.
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Body parts and soft props
Productions often require severed heads or limbs. An alginate cast will often be made by of the actor's own head or limb, which will serve as the basis for further work. Soft props made in the Props Department range from bedding and curtains to dummies and their clothes!
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Furniture and lighting
From large to small items of furniture, the Props Department is responsible for sourcing all different kinds of pieces; if there's enough budget and nothing they can borrow or adapt, they very often make them.
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Prop making skills
The Props Department is a rather extraordinary place given the skill set prop makers are required to have; it ranges from carpentry to sculpture. While each prop maker has a particular area of interest, all of them are expected to be adaptable.
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Scenic prop elements
Sometimes a prop become so large or is replicated so many times that it is deemed a piece of scenery.