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 – this is the rate which our members should under no circumstances accept less than. Should a production insist on rates less than this number they should be urgently reported to the Props committee or a Bectu official.

The second number in bold is the standard daily rate – this is the rate which members should be regularly achieving. Before accepting a job, each member should insist on a sum equivalent or higher to the standard rate. Negotiations between members and productions/prop masters should always seek to go beyond the standard rate.

Links to the full rate cards with notes, can be found above.

The Bectu Prop Modelling rate card states that:

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 will 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 has produced a table to shows comparative job roles between the two departments along with the rate of pay for the Dressing Prop role as set out in the 2023 Rate Card (based on Member survey response). Across all levels, it will be noted that these rates of pay are substantially higher than those being paid to comparative levels within Prop making. To end and address this disparity, the new 2023 Prop Modellers’ rate card has been adjusted to reflect, and bring level with, that of the Prop Dressers’ rate card.

This information can be found on the Prop Modelling Rate card.

This depends on which contract you are working under. For features over £30m, your contract will be based on the PACT-BECTU MMP agreement, in which the contracted hours are 11+1 (11 hours work and 1 hour for lunch) for off set crew.

For TV Drama Productions following the PACT - BECTU TV Drama Agreement, hours will be 10+1 from January 2023, and the rate cards show rates for these hours. However, 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 do not follow either of these agreements are free to negotiate their own terms with crew members.

Duties to include:

• 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 that 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 that 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.
• Co-ordinates 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 that all hired props are returned after the film wraps, and organises disposal or sale of anything else.

Duties to include:

• Second in command of 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 Prop Master in organising the department schedule.
• Helps to ensure that all props - including prop makes - are available on schedule and on budget.
• Co-ordinates with the Storeman on the storage and organisation of props.
• Liaise with Set Dec, Art Department, Graphics and all other departments. 
• Helps Prop Master ensure that all hired props are returned after the film wraps, and organises disposal or sale of anything else.

Duties to include:

• Manages Standby Props team.
• Works alongside the shoot crew to manage Prop Department and Action Prop concerns whilst the sets are being shot.
• In charge of the action Props before, during and after the shoot. Ensures that they are 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 Director, AD's, Standby Art Director and Graphic Designers to ensure action and hero prop requirements are met.

Duties to include:

• 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 the 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 shoot.
• Watches each shot and take records to ensure continuity throughout the entire shooting schedule.
• Liaises closely with members of the shooting team.

Duties to include:

• 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 that 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; facilitates last minute requests.
• Ensures that health & safety guidelines are adhered to in the prop store(s), and the area is kept tidy at all times.
• Once the film wraps, the Storeman ensures that all dressing props are struck, cleared and returned to the relevant prop houses with all paperwork completed.

Duties to include:

• Second-in-command within the prop store(s).
• Supports the duties of the Storeman
• Helps organise the pick up and drop off of prop/set dec hires or purchases, as well as accompanying paperwork.
• Works with the Prop Master and Supervising Chargehand to make sure that required props are sent to the correct set/locations, and then 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 that health & safety guidelines are adhered to in the prop store(s) and the area is clean and tidy at all times.
• Once the film wraps, the Assistant Storeman helps ensure that all dressing props are struck, cleared and returned to the relevant prop houses with all paperwork completed

Duties to include:

• Facilitating 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.
• Work with the property master and Storeman to make sure the props required 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. 
• Is responsible for striking all props from the set/location, once shot, and organising returning to prop room. 
• An understanding of the relevant period(s) / culture(s).
• Can cope well under pressure & is a good problem solver with last minute additions.
• Comfortable working with different materials and various tools, when required

Duties to include:

• Facilitating 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 to for installation by various members of the team. 
• Ensure the vision of the Production Designer and by extension the Set Decorator is followed through. 
• Liaise closely with the Set Decorator and Assistant Set Decorators on set to fulfil their requirements. 
• Work with the Property Master and Storeman to make sure the props required 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. 
• Is responsible for striking all props from the set/location, once shot, and organising returning to prop room.
• Has knowledge of the required periods and how to dress a set.
• Can cope well under pressure and is a good problem solver with last minute additions.
• Comfortable working with different materials and various tools, when required.

Duties to include:

• Prop Hands are 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.
• Understand health & safety when moving around on set and lifting heavy/fragile items.
• Work 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 members of the team.
• 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.
• Can cope well under pressure.
• Comfortable working with different materials and various tools, when required.

Duties to include:

• Junior Prop Hands are 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.
• Understand health & safety when moving around on set and lifting heavy/fragile items.
• Work 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 members of the team.
• 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.

Duties to include:

• Trainee Prop Hands are 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 members of the team.

Duties to include:

• Helps with the smooth running of the props department during pre-production, filming and wrap by providing day-to-day administration and support.
• Is responsible for placing orders for specialist materials and equipment required by the props and prop making department.
• Writing schedules, organising meetings or helping with the budget.