Job Summary
The Costume Prop Artisan is responsible for designing, fabricating, restoring, and maintaining costume-related props, including armor, headdresses, jewelry, belts, footwear, masks, weapon and costume accessories, ensuring their safety and aesthetic appeal during performances, filming, or exhibitions.
This position integrates skills in handcrafting, sculpting, design, fine arts, and materials engineering, emphasizing durability, wearability, and artistic presentation.
II. Key Responsibilities
- Costume Prop Fabrication & Construction
Fabricating props to complement costumes: armor, crowns, handheld accessories, masks, belts, jewelry, special effects elements, etc.
Using a variety of materials (thermoplastics, leather, resin, metal, fabric, foam, wood, etc.) for cutting, sculpting, shaping, and assembling.
Utilizing techniques such as thermoforming, casting, sculpting, welding, polishing, and sewing.
- Finishing & Detailing
Apply paint using airbrushes, paints, and metallic coatings.
Add weathering effects, textures, and special details.
Recreate historical, fantasy, or futuristic visual effects based on the character's design.
- Wearability & Safety
Test the comfort, weight, mobility, and durability of props for actors or performers.
Emphasis on edge finishing, structural reinforcement, and safety standards.
Adjust sizes to fit the actors' body types and movement requirements.
- Maintenance & Repair
Repair or replace damaged costumes and props during filming, performances, or tours.
Implement long-term preservation plans (e.g., for exhibitions or collections).
- Collaboration
Work closely with costume designers, stylists, set designers, directors, and special effects teams.
Accurately recreate designs based on concept art, historical data, or 3D models.
Make rapid adjustments based on production schedule, budget, and art director feedback.
- Documentation
Document the production process, materials list, color charts, and technical specifications.
Provide production archives for replication, touring, or future restoration.
III. Qualifications
Education
No specific degree is required, but the following majors are preferred:
Theatrical Design, Costume Design
Industrial Design / Product Design
Fine Arts / Sculpture / Crafts
Special Effects Makeup or Prop Making Course
Materials Science or Craft Training
Experience
1–5 years of experience in costume and prop making, handmade models, stage costumes, or special effects production.
Experience in film, theater, or costume studios is preferred.
Familiarity with thermoplastic materials (Worbla, EVA), resin casting, and leather crafts is preferred.
Skills
Proficient in handcrafting, carving, polishing, spraying, leatherworking, or metalworking.
Skilled in operating tools: heat gun, sewing machine, airbrush, grinder, welding tools, mold-making tools, etc.
Strong color matching, texture creation, and visual design abilities.
Understand ergonomics and wearable structure.
Excellent cross-departmental communication and project collaboration skills.
Able to work under high pressure and tight schedules.
IV. Personal Attributes
Highly creative and aesthetically pleasing.
Dexterous, patient, and detail-oriented.
Able to quickly solve material and structural challenges.
Proactive in learning new materials and production techniques.
Able to adapt to a fast-paced, high-intensity film crew environment.
V. Working Conditions
Working in workshops, prop rooms, costume departments, or film studios.
May involve contact with chemicals such as paint, glue, and solvents (strict adherence to safety regulations is required).
Overtime work may be required depending on the performance or filming schedule.
This includes tasks involving prolonged standing, processing, and fine manual work.