manage stage effects
Prepare and operate stage effects, preset and changeover the props during rehearsals and live performances.
Prop masters/mistresses setup, prepare, check and maintain objects used on stage by actors or other small movable objects called props. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and prepare the props. During a performance they position props, hand them over or take them back from the actors.
Competences and skills
61 ESCO relationsEssential skills and competences 27 competences
Occupation specific
2 competencesprepare stage effects
Prepare stage food, blood and other effects.
Sector-specific
15 competencesadapt props
Adapt existing props for use in a specific production.
adapt to artists' creative demands
Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
build devices into props
Build mechanical or electrical devices into props.
change over props
Set, remove, or move props on a stage during a changeover.
define prop building methods
Decide on how to build the necessary props and document the process.
develop prop effects
Work with creative personnel to design special effects involving props using mechanical or electrical devices. Advise on feasibility and develop the needed prop effects.
ensure visual quality of the set
Inspect and amend the scenery and set-dressing to make sure the visual quality is optimal with in constraints of time, budget and manpower.
maintain props
Check, maintain and repair props.
preset props
Arrange props on the stage in preparation of a performance.
prevent fire in a performance environment
Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are aware of fire prevention measures.
safeguard artistic quality of performance
Observe the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.
set up pyrotechnical equipment
Make sure the pyrotechnic equipment for a performance is set up and ready for operation.
understand artistic concepts
Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
work safely with chemicals
Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision
Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.
- Scope note
- This competence is limited to mobile, temporary installations with connectors. In some countries, workers are only alowed to perform this kind of actions under supervision of a qualified person.
Cross-sector
10 competencesfollow safety procedures when working at heights
Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.
hand props to actors
Hand the right props to actors before each scene. Give them directions on how to use objects.
organise resources for artistic production
Coordinate human, material and capital resources within artistic productions, based on the given documentation e.g. scripts.
prepare personal work environment
Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.
translate artistic concepts to technical designs
Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
use personal protection equipment
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
use technical documentation
Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
work ergonomically
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
work safely with machines
Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
- Scope note
- Includes more generally used small electrical and mechanical tools like drills, manual sawing machines, washing machines, sewing machines, etc. that are also used in non professional environment.
work with respect for own safety
Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
Optional skills and competences 34 competences
Occupation specific
7 competencesinstruct on set up of equipment
Instruct others on how to properly and safely set up equipment according to specifications and regulations.
maintain stage weapons
Check, maintain and repair stage weapons.
obtain stage weapon permits
Obtain and administrate permits and licences for use and transport weapons on stage.
organise stage
Making sure the scene elements like props and furniture are placed according to specifications, procuring the costumes and wigs and making sure everybody is ready in the right time and place.
prepare stage weapons
Prepare stage weapons for use on stage.
purchase stage weapons
Acquire weapon props to be used for live performances.
store stage weapons
Safely and systematically store weapon props.
Sector-specific
21 competencesassemble performance equipment
Set up sound, light and video equipment on stage before performance event according to specifications.
assemble scenic elements on stage
Assemble scenic elements, dance and stage floors and stage cloths, based on written documents
assemble the rehearsal set
Put together all prepared scenic elements to prepare the rehearsal set.
consult with stakeholders on implementation of a production
Consult with different people and groups who hold a stake in the production. Be on the same page on the practical side of the production, and keep them up to date.
define prop materials
Decide what materials the props will be made from, and document the conclusions.
design props
Draw prop sketches and define prop materials and building methods
document your own practice
Documenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.
draw prop sketches
Make sketches of envisioned props to help develop the concept and to share with others.
draw up artistic production
File and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.
mark the stage area
Interpret the designs and other scenic drawings to clearly mark the information from the ground plans to the stage area.
modify scenic elements during performance
Change-over of scenic elements during performance, and follow the relevant documentation during performance.
obtain pyrotechnic permits
Obtain the appropriate administrative permits and licences for use and transport of pyrotechnics and weapons.
operate pyrotechnical control
Take the necessary steps to operate pyrotechnical effects during a performance.
plan pyrotechnical effects
Plan the pyrotechnical effects for a performance. Develop an artistic vision into a plan, taking safety into account.
plan weapon use on stage
Prepare a plan of how weapon props will be used during a live performance.
purchase props
Buy the required props for a performance.
set up equipment in a timely manner
Make sure to set up equipment according to deadlines and time schedules.
store performance equipment
Dismantle sound, light and video equipment after a performance event and store in a safe place.
store pyrotechnical materials
Safely store materials used for pyrotechnical stage effects and the produced trays of pyrotechnics sorting them according to the processing date.
train actors in the use of weapons
Train performers to execute the planned weapon actions. Take safety into account.
work safely with stage weapons
Take necessary precautions while preparing, transporting, storing, training and operating stage weapons (stabbing weapons, shooting weapons, etc).
Cross-sector
6 competencesadvise client on technical possibilities
Recommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.
develop professional network
Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.
- Scope note
- This includes the development of social relationships with patients and customers.
keep personal administration
File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
manage consumables stock
Manage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
manage personal professional development
Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders. Pursue a cycle of self-improvement and develop credible career plans.
research
perform first fire intervention
Intervene in the case of a fire in order to extinguish the fire or limit the effects pending the arrival of emergency services according to training and procedures.