Esther{{1}} writes in:
In the next week I’ll be working on a job that will required me to visits prop houses to do pick-ups and possible returns.
In my experience as a pa I’ve bee on set most of the times but not prop houses. Would you be kind as to do a post of the prop houses world in regards to pick-ups and returns.
Man, I love going to the prop house. There’s so much crazy, random stuff at any decent-sized rental place, from body parts to replicas of ancient weapons to shelves and shelves of fake books. The very first time I visited one, looking for a giant baseball, I turned a corner and came face-to-face with Vigo the Carpathian—
This isn’t the sort of thing that happens at a typical job.
Keep Track of Everything
That being said, the actual work you have to do there as a PA is pretty straightforward. I’m assuming you’re on an independent film, or they’d be sending a teamster or someone from the props department themselves to pick stuff up.
First of all, if you’re driving your own car to the prop shop, make sure you record your mileage. And if they’re having you pick up stuff on the way to set, your time card starts when you arrive at the rental house, not set.
And, of course, ask what you’re picking up. If it’s something wet or squishy (like the aforementioned body parts), you may need to line your trunk with garbage bags or something. Or, the prop may not even fit in your car at all! Also, ask the prop master if you need a PO or invoice number.
When you get to the rental place, just tell them what show you’re with, and tell them you’re there to pick up whatever it is. Give them whatever identifying info you got from the prop master.
If, for whatever reason, the renter tell you you need to pay for the rental, or put a credit card down for deposit, do not us your own credit card. Call the office, ask for a petty cash card. Or call the prop master and ask how they want to handle it over the phone. But never, ever, ever use your own card, or you’re on the hook for any L&D. And I guarantee you there will be L&D if it’s not on the company’s card.
Be sure to get a copy of a receipt and/or any paperwork you sign. Make a copy of that for yourself (the AD trailer usually has a copier), or at least take a photo, before handing it over to the props department along with the prop itself.
As for returns, basically the same thing, in reverse. When they hand you the prop to take back, ask if you should be aware of any damage or missing pieces, so you can tell the rental house. Get copies of everything you sign. Count your mileage and your hours accurately-ish.{{2}}
Have Fun
So, that’s all the business of it. But most prop guys are cool, both on set and at the rental houses. If you’ve never been to one, you can totally ask if you can just take a look around, and 99% of the time, they’ll let you.
Don’t waste too much time on the company clock, but this is show business. We’re allowed to have a little behind-the-scenes fun from time to time.
More About Props
If you’re interested in the property department, you should listen to our interview with Prop Master Jim Falkenstein, from the Crew Call archives. He tells hilarious stories, and actually names names.{{3}}
[[1]]Awesome name.[[1]]
[[2]]You’re a production assistant; you’re already underpaid.[[2]]
[[3]]Val Kilmer’s name, specifically.[[3]]
