How to Make People Props
There are many types of props used in film and stage. They play integral parts in any production's art requirements. Some are used as dressing props that are placed on furniture, floorings and walls. Others require hand props used by actors, mechanical props that provide blood or smoke effects or even stunt props such as hand-gun effects or a fake but realistic-looking bottle that gets broken onto an actor's head. There are also times when a movie or play needs people props to use in the production.
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Instructions
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People Props for Movies
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List all the materials needed to make the people props based on how the final props will be used by the production. For instance, if you are making props of dead bodies in a wrecked car that will be blasted off during filming, the props should be convincing replicas of the real actors, but their quality may change depending on the type of shots to be filmed. If the scene will be shot far from the car, the props should look convincing from afar but not necessarily nearby. Usually, this would require styrofoam, wigs, glue, makeup, various color paints and the same wardrobe the actors wore. However, it would not be necessary to make the props sturdy, and they could therefore be made using cheaper materials.
Alternatively, if you need a zombie prop that should be sturdy enough to withstand action and stampede shots, use materials that are not easily broken, such as rubber castings.
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Buy the materials according to the number or amount you need, then gather the necessary tools in making your props, which typically include basic makeup, prosthetics and carpentry tools. These materials and tools are often available in hardware shops, art shops, super centers and specialty stores.
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Create a skeleton or mold for each people prop, then assemble and shape the different parts of the body. If necessary, cast the face of the actor to make a replica of his face with the prop.
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Paint and texturize each people prop and dress it up with the right clothes, accessories, wig and makeup.
People Props for Stage Plays
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List the materials you need for the people props. If there are props to be worn by an actual person, i.e. a mascot, choose materials that are safer and more comfortable for a person to wear for long periods of time.
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6
Buy the materials according to the number or amount you need, then gather the necessary tools in making your props, which typically include basic makeup, prosthetics and carpentry tools. These materials and tools are often available in hardware shops, art shops, super centers and specialty merchants such as stage-prop stores. Make sure that the materials you use best fit how the actual props will be used in the play. For instance, some require hanging the prop or suspending the prop in midair using wires. In such cases, it is best to use rubberlike materials that are not brittle or easily damaged.
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Create a skeleton or mold for each people prop, then assemble and shape the different parts of the body. Before finalizing a prop that should be worn by a person during the production, schedule fittings to ensure that the prop can be worn properly and safely. In stage work, people props operated by actual people from the inside should be able to withstand countless rehearsals and performances.
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Paint and texturize each people prop and dress it up with the right clothes, accessories, wig and makeup.
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Tips & Warnings
The requirements for any people prop vary per production and per scene. Aside from the simple people props used in movies and plays, there are more advanced mechanical props used to create humans, creaturelike humans or humanoids through animatronics, puppetry and robotics. These technologies and techniques allow the props to move during scenes even without actual persons wearing them. These are usually remote-controlled props.
As with other types of props, it is almost always necessary to make readily available substitute props that are identical to the originals so that the production can still continue without delay if one prop gets damaged.
Consult a movie-prop expert, a robotics- or puppetry expert or an electrician if your props have complicated setups or if they will use any form of electrical power.
References
Resources
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