| |
Props Rate Calculator
Use our quick tool to look up BECTU rate card rates, or browse the full rate cards below
|
What are the minimum and recommended rates?
The Bectu Prop Modelling rate card states that all rates have been calculated from data collected by Props Branch surveys of its members and members of the wider Props community.
For each production and grade there are two numbers (e.g. £950 / £1,250). The first number is the minimum daily rate — the rate members should under no circumstances accept less than. Should a production insist on a lower rate, it should be urgently reported to the Props committee or a Bectu official. The second number in bold is the standard daily rate — the rate members should be regularly achieving. Before accepting a job, each member should insist on a sum equivalent to or higher than the standard rate, and negotiations should always seek to go beyond it.
Links to the full rate cards with notes can be found above.
Why have the rates increased?
Prop modellers have consistently reported a historic disparity between the rates of pay for Prop Modellers and colleagues in the Prop Dressing team. This discrepancy exists alongside the fact that modellers entering the industry start with a comparatively low rate of pay, despite having spent years pursuing qualifications and training in relevant skills and knowledge. Experienced modellers have reported having to complete a substantial number of years in the industry before achieving rates comparable to colleagues in the dressing team.
The Props Branch produced a table showing comparative job roles between the two departments, alongside the rate of pay for the Dressing Prop role as set out in the 2023 Rate Card. Across all levels, these rates of pay were shown to be substantially higher than those paid to comparative levels within Prop making. To address this disparity, the 2023 Prop Modellers' rate card was adjusted to bring it level with the Prop Dressers' rate card. This information can be found on the Prop Modelling rate card.
What are the working hours per day?
This depends on which contract you're working under. For features over £30m, your contract is based on the PACT-BECTU MMP Agreement, where contracted hours are 11+1 (11 hours work, 1 hour lunch) for off-set crew.
For TV Drama productions following the PACT-BECTU TV Drama Agreement, hours are 10+1 from January 2023, and the rate cards show rates for these hours. You could also be temporarily scheduled on a Semi-Continuous Working Day (SCWD: 9.5+30) or a Continuous Working Day (CWD: 9) if agreed between your HoD and production.
Productions that don't follow either agreement are free to negotiate their own terms with crew members.
Where can I download the full rate cards?
The rate cards are the work of the Bectu Props Branch Committee. You can download them directly:
If you have questions for the Bectu Props Branch Committee, contact them at thepropsbranch@gmail.com.
| | |
Bectu Props Rate Cards 2025/6 ▲
As issued by the BECTU Props Branch
Dressing Props Film Rate Card
Dressing Props TV Rate Card
Dressing Props Equipment Rental Rate Card
Please see PDF linked above for full equipment rental card.
Prop Modelling Film Rate Card
Prop Modelling TV Rate Card
Prop Painters Film & TV Rate Card
|
|
Props, Prop Modelling and Painters - Job Descriptions ▲
Written by the Bectu Props Branch Committee. Tap a role to see its full duties.
Prop master
Head of the Props Department
- Head of Props Department
- Oversees the running of the Props and Prop-Making departments
- Helps select crew for the department
- Works with the Designer, Set Decorator and Art Directors to ensure their prop requirements are met, and the Designer's vision is carried out
- Works with the Set Decorator and Production Buyer to estimate costs for the purchase, hire or creation of props, including transport and labour
- Script breakdown
- An understanding of the relevant period(s)/culture(s) — this may require in-depth research and/or liaison with specialist advisors
- Sets out the overall department schedule
- Ensures all props, including prop makes, are available on schedule and on budget
- Liaises with Construction and Location departments to coordinate set access and strike deadlines
- Presents action props to the Director and Production Designer for approval, from concept stage to sign off
- Coordinates with the Storeman on the storage and organisation of props
- Attends rehearsals and initial handover of sets to ensure all prop requirements, alterations and additions are met
- Liaises with Set Dec, Art Department, Graphics and all other departments
- Ensures all hired props are returned after the film wraps, and organises disposal or sale of anything else
Assistant prop master
Second in command of Props
- Second in command of the Props Department
- Supports the Prop Master
- Helps select crew for the department
- Script breakdown
- Ensures the vision of the Production Designer is followed through
- Aids the Prop Master in organising the department schedule
- Helps ensure all props, including prop makes, are available on schedule and on budget
- Coordinates with the Storeman on the storage and organisation of props
- Liaises with Set Dec, Art Department, Graphics and all other departments
- Helps the Prop Master ensure all hired props are returned after the film wraps, and organises disposal or sale of anything else
Supervising standby props
Leads the on-set standby props team
- Manages the Standby Props team
- Works alongside the shoot crew to manage Prop Department and action prop concerns whilst sets are being shot
- In charge of action props before, during and after the shoot, ensuring they're ready on schedule
- Takes notes to ensure continuity of props throughout the shoot
- Script breakdown to identify key action and hero props
- Keeps up to date with all script changes and additions
- Works well under pressure, and adapts to on-set last minute requests, additional requirements and changes in schedule
- Often oversees Standby Prop Makers and Painters when required
- Liaises closely with the Director, ADs, Standby Art Director and Graphic Designers to ensure action and hero prop requirements are met
Standby props
On set with the shooting crew
- Works well as part of a team, following the direction of the Supervising Standby Props
- Works alongside the shoot crew to manage Prop Department and action prop concerns whilst sets are being shot
- Adapts to on-set last minute demands, additional requirements and changes in schedule
- Keeps up to date with all script changes and additions
- Helps look after action props before, during and after the shoot
- Watches each shot and takes records to ensure continuity throughout the entire shooting schedule
- Liaises closely with members of the shooting team
Storeman
Runs the prop store
- Responsible for the inventory and organisation of props within the prop store(s) throughout the production
- Manages a team that includes transport and Prop Hands who help organise the prop room
- Organises the pickup and drop off of prop/set dec hires or purchases, as well as accompanying paperwork
- Works with the Prop Master and Supervising Chargehand to ensure required props are sent to the correct sets/locations and returned on strike
- Works to, and manages, a budget set out by the Prop Master
- Keeps to deadlines for prop collection, arrival and returns, and facilitates last minute requests
- Ensures health & safety guidelines are adhered to in the prop store(s), and that the area is kept tidy at all times
- Once the film wraps, ensures all dressing props are struck, cleared and returned to the relevant prop houses with all paperwork completed
Assistant storeman
Supports the Storeman
- Second-in-command within the prop store(s)
- Supports the duties of the Storeman
- Helps organise the pickup and drop off of prop/set dec hires or purchases, as well as accompanying paperwork
- Works with the Prop Master and Supervising Chargehand to ensure required props are sent to the correct sets/locations and returned on strike
- Works to, and manages, a budget set out by the Property Master
- Facilitates last minute requests from props and set dec, adjusting schedules where required
- Ensures health & safety guidelines are adhered to in the prop store(s) and that the area is clean and tidy at all times
- Once the film wraps, helps ensure all dressing props are struck, cleared and returned to the relevant prop houses with all paperwork completed
Supervising chargehand
Leads the dressing props team on set
- Facilitates the Property Master on set before the shoot
- Oversees the managing and organisation of the entire dressing props team
- Ensures the vision of the Production Designer is carried out
- Liaises closely with the Set Decorator and Assistant Set Decorators on set to fulfil their requirements
- Works with the Property Master and Storeman to make sure required props are sent to the correct set/location
- Ensures sets are dressed to meet deadlines in preparation for the shoot
- Understands health & safety issues on set and around the various required props
- Responsible for striking all props from the set/location once shot, and organising their return to the prop room
- An understanding of the relevant period(s)/culture(s)
- Copes well under pressure and is a good problem solver with last minute additions
- Comfortable working with different materials and various tools when required
Chargehand
Manages a dressing props team on set
- Facilitates the Supervising Chargehand on set before the shoot
- Oversees the managing and organisation of their team of dressing props on the stage or at locations, including allocating props for installation by various team members
- Ensures the vision of the Production Designer, and by extension the Set Decorator, is followed through
- Liaises closely with the Set Decorator and Assistant Set Decorators on set to fulfil their requirements
- Works with the Property Master and Storeman to make sure required props are sent to the correct set/location
- Makes sure sets are dressed to meet deadlines in preparation for the shoot
- Understands health & safety issues on set and around the various required props
- Responsible for striking all props from the set/location once shot, and organising their return to the prop room
- Has knowledge of the required periods and how to dress a set
- Copes well under pressure and is a good problem solver with last minute additions
- Comfortable working with different materials and various tools when required
Prop hand / dressing props
Dresses and strikes props on set
- Supervised by the Chargehand
- Able to follow instructions and adapt to requirements
- Able to work as part of a cohesive team as well as on their own
- Understands health & safety when moving around on set and lifting heavy/fragile items
- Works across the department where necessary, either on set, in the store room or on location
- Able to cope with physical work, including moving large, heavy items at the direction of the Set Decorator, Chargehand or other team members
- Helps strike the props from set/location after the scene has been shot
- Has knowledge of the required periods and how to dress a set
- Copes well under pressure
- Comfortable working with different materials and various tools when required
Junior prop hand
Entry-level dressing props role
- Supervised by the Chargehand
- Able to follow instructions and adapt to requirements
- Able to work as part of a cohesive team as well as on their own
- Understands health & safety when moving around on set and lifting heavy/fragile items
- Works across the department where necessary, either on set, in the store room or on location
- Physical work, including moving large, heavy items at the direction of the Chargehand or other team members
- Helps strike the props from set/location after the scene has been shot
- Knows how to dress a set
- Comfortable working with different materials and various tools when required
Trainee prop hand
Trainee dressing props role
- Supervised by the Chargehand and other experienced members of the prop hand team
- Able to follow instructions and adapt to requirements
- Able to work as part of a cohesive team
- Physical work, including moving large, heavy items at the direction of the Chargehand or other team members
Prop department co-ordinator
Admin support to the department
- Helps with the smooth running of the Props Department during pre-production, filming and wrap by providing day-to-day administration and support
- Responsible for placing orders for specialist materials and equipment required by the props and prop making department
- Writes schedules, organises meetings, or helps with the budget
Prop modellers
HOD modeller
Head of the Prop Modelling department
- Head of the Prop Modelling / Making Department
- Oversees the running of the Prop Making department
- Works with the Prop Master and Set Decorator to ensure all prop making requirements are met
- Sets up the workshop and often provides machinery for use by team members
- Creates a schedule for the department and assigns individuals and teams to specific jobs
- Has a detailed understanding of health and safety procedures within the workshop and on the various machines
- Throughout pre-production and shooting, ensures prop makes are available on schedule and on budget, including delivery of all hero and action props to Standby Props for their required scenes
- Ensures prop makes are made by organising members of the department, as well as artists and outside companies
- Helps select crew for the department
- Liaises with Set Dec, Art Department, Graphics and all other departments
- Has an in-depth knowledge of prop making processes, materials and methods of construction
- Highly competent with various machinery and tools
- Can read and understand technical drawings
- Works well under pressure and adapts to on-set last minute demands, additional requirements and changes in schedule
- At the end of the film, must ensure the workshop is returned to the same state it was first given, and all machines are removed
- Coordinates with the Storeman on the storage and collection/delivery of prop makes
Supervising modeller
Supports the HOD Modeller
- Supports the HOD in managing the department
- Often heads up a particular area, such as hand props or dressing props
- Has a detailed understanding of health and safety procedures within the workshop and on the various machines
- Throughout pre-production and shooting, ensures prop makes are available on schedule and on budget, including delivery of all hero and action props to Standby Props for their required scenes
- Helps select crew for the department
- Liaises with Set Dec, Art Department, Graphics and all other departments
- Has an in-depth knowledge of prop making processes, materials and methods of construction
- Highly competent with various machinery and tools
- Can read and understand technical drawings
- Works well under pressure and adapts to on-set last minute demands, additional requirements and changes in schedule
- Coordinates with the Storeman on the storage and collection/delivery of prop makes
- On smaller productions with no separate prop making department, may oversee construction of the prop makes directly
- Ensures prop makes are made by organising members of the department, as well as artists and outside companies
- May have knowledge of 2D/3D CAD software to create working files for use on workshop machines or by outside companies
Senior prop modeller
Experienced modelling role
- Has a detailed understanding of health and safety procedures within the workshop and on the various machines
- Responsible for a team/set when required
- Helps select crew for the department
- Liaises with Set Dec, Art Department, Graphics and all other departments
- Has an in-depth knowledge of prop making processes, materials and methods of construction
- Aware of deadlines that must be hit for prop makes
- Competent with various machinery and tools
- Can read and understand technical drawings
- Works well under pressure and adapts to on-set last minute demands, additional requirements and changes in schedule
- Coordinates with the Storeman on the storage and collection/delivery of prop makes
- May have knowledge of 2D/3D CAD software to create working files for use on workshop machines or by outside companies
- May be required to oversee workshop upkeep and ordering of materials
Prop modeller
Builds and finishes prop makes
- Works well individually or as part of a cohesive team
- For certain prop makes, may be required to head up a small team
- Has an understanding of health and safety procedures within the workshop and on the various machines
- Has a good knowledge of prop making processes, materials and methods of construction
- Aware of deadlines that must be hit for prop makes
- Competent with various machinery and tools
- Can read and understand technical drawings
- May have knowledge of 2D/3D CAD software to create working files for use on workshop machines or by outside companies
Mid prop modeller
Mid-level modelling role
- Works well individually or as part of a cohesive team
- Has a knowledge of prop making processes, materials and methods of construction
- Aware of deadlines that must be hit for prop makes
- Competent with various machinery and tools
- Can read and understand technical drawings
- Has an understanding of health and safety procedures within the workshop and on the various machines
- May have knowledge of 2D/3D CAD software to create working files for use on workshop machines or by outside companies
Junior modeller
Developing modelling role
- Has some knowledge of prop making processes, materials and methods of construction
- Has some experience in the Prop Making department but still requires guidance from more senior team members
- Aware of deadlines that must be hit for prop makes
- Competent with a lot of machinery and tools
- Can read and understand technical drawings
- Has an understanding of health and safety procedures within the workshop and on the various machines
- May have knowledge of 2D/3D CAD software to create working files for use on workshop machines or by outside companies
Trainee modeller
Entry-level modelling role
- New starter in the department, requiring supervision and guidance from more senior team members
- Has some experience with the various machinery and tools in the workshop
- May have knowledge of 2D/3D CAD software to create working files
Prop modelling co-ordinator
Admin support to the department
- Supports the HOD by helping with schedules and budget
- Helps with the smooth running of the Prop Making department during pre-production, filming and wrap by providing day-to-day administration and support
- Responsible for placing orders for specialist materials and equipment required by the department
Props painter
Finishes and paints prop makes
- Oversees the running of any painting in the prop making department
- Often responsible for a small team when the production is large enough
- Aware of deadlines that must be hit for prop makes
- Has an in-depth knowledge of prop making processes, materials and finishes to best fulfil the intended requirements
- Competent with a lot of machinery and tools
- Liaises with the Prop and Set Dec department
- Able to match existing paint finishes and liaise with specific paint departments should a matching finish be required
- Able to work on set (stage and location) when required
- Has an understanding of health and safety procedures within the workshop and on the various machines
- Works well under pressure and adapts to on-set last minute demands, additional requirements and changes in schedule
- Helps select crew for the department
|
|
Choose a department
