Future Feature on Researching Props

I am going to do a feature on researching for the props you are going to use in a production. It will be kinda a how to from experts who have more experience then me. I think it is always great to see how the professionals do it so that you can replicate the system they have in your own works. Props aren't suppose to stand out to the audience. The actors are suppose to be the main focus. The props help tell the story but shouldn't be noticed. If the prop is not time period or doesn't fit in the scene it can take the audience out of the world of the show. This is why it is great to research the time period and place. When you know what is going on there at that time it helps put the world in place that you are going to help create as a props master.

Ideas for features

I was just brainstorming about feature ideas to write about on here that would interest the student in theater.

Here are some ideas:
Film vs Theater props
Prop shops and the authenticity  of the the time period that the props are suppose to be
How to conduct research for props needed in a show
What specialties are good to have in the props profession examples: making food, guns, certain time periods

So true

Quotes from experts

“There are sacrifices and you will not often work a 'normal’ schedule, as each show will have different demands. You might consider going into educational tech theater, where the hours can be more regular,” said The University of Montana.

I threw this quote in because of my friend who went into education because of the more regular hours and to have a permanent home. I think that education is an excellent option, especially after being in the field for awhile.

 “If you want a "traditional" life, where you go in a 7am and home by 5pm, this aint for you. Also, if you want to live in a certain area of the country, this aint for you. If you want the home life, you will end up going to where the work is,” said Footer.

This quote is from someone in the field. He is expressing the way of life that will soon be mine. I think that this is what my friend was trying to express to me before I went off to college. There needs to be a lot more effort into relationships to be able to work a crazy schedule and to travel. A lot of professional teachies don't have a husband or wife or kids. 

(http://www.umt.edu/theatredance/designtech/career-in-technical-theatre>.

http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/general-advice/8076-economically-safe-pursue-career-technical-theatre.html>.)

Life in Theater

I have a friend that taught me a lot about the strains of theater. I told him that I wanted to go into technical theater and he told me that it wasn't a safe choice. I hadn't really asked him to expand on the whole 'you wont have time for relationships' statement till recently. He told me his story. He had trouble getting his foot in the door after school. There weren't many theaters wanting to hire someone fresh out of college. You need experience to get a new job and to get experience you need the job. This is a problem for most technical theater people. He did what most have to do, get a job why he kept looking. He sewed pillows. He eventually got a job at a small theater. He noticed early on in his career that he wanted a life outside of theater and his job was in the way. There was a position for a technical theater teacher at a school he knew and so he took it. This job brings him happiness and that's what he was looking for.