Props for Film & TV Workshop
LOCATION: The Asterisk (Kingston, NY)
IMPORTANT DATES:
Application Deadline: March 18 @ 5pm
App Review and Interviews: February 24 - March 20
Acceptance Announcement: March 23
Workshop Begins: Saturday, April 11
Step into the world of props for film and television in this immersive, hands-on two-day workshop designed to introduce participants to the tools, workflows, and on-set expectations of the props department.
Led by working industry professional Catherine Miller (Severance), the Props for Film & TV Workshop offers practical training in prop sourcing, identification, organization, and on-set execution. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how props support storytelling, continuity, and collaboration across departments, while building foundational skills needed to work as a Production Assistant (PA) or Assistant Props role on professional sets.
This workshop is ideal for those looking to break into the art department, gain on-set experience, or better understand how props function within a real-world production environment.
ABOUT WORKSHOP:
SCHEDULE:
SESSION 1: SATURDAY, APRIL 11
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
SESSION 2: SUNDAY, APRIL 12
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
Day 1: Props Fundamentals & Workflow
Overview of the props department and how it differs from set dressing and art direction
Identifying hero props, hand props, set props, and background props
Reading scripts and breaking down prop needs
Sourcing, renting, and acquiring props on a budget
Proper handling, labeling, storage, and transport of props
On-set protocols, how to read a call sheet, safety, and working with other departments
Day 2: On-Set Application & Practical Skills
Dressing props for continuity and camera angles
Hands-on prop setup and strike exercises
Tracking continuity and documentation techniques
Understanding common prop tools and kits
Problem-solving and making quick adjustments on set
Professional expectations for props PAs and assistants
What’s Included:
14 hours of hands-on, practical training over two days
Access to all materials and tools used during the workshop
Networking opportunities with instructors and industry professionals
Certificate of Completion upon finishing the workshop
Job Descriptions:
Props Assistant
Props Assistants support the props department by preparing, organizing, and maintaining all props used during production. Responsibilities may include:
Assisting with sourcing, prepping, and organizing props
Maintaining continuity during filming
Supporting prop setup, resets, and strike
Communicating with the props master and other departments
Handling props safely and professionally on set
Props Master (Overview)
The Props Master oversees all prop-related elements of a production and collaborates closely with the director and art department. Responsibilities include:
Managing prop budgets and logistics
Supervising assistants and on-set prop execution
Ensuring all props support the story and visual continuity
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This workshop is ideal for beginners interested in working in the props or art departments, as well as anyone looking to expand their behind-the-scenes knowledge of film and television production. No prior experience is required.
Registration Fee: $599 (full & partial scholarships are available)
This program welcomes all community members and actively seeks participation from individuals from diverse backgrounds, women, and others historically underrepresented in the film industry.
Join Stockade Works for this focused, real-world introduction to props for film and television, and take your first step toward working behind the scenes on professional productions. Apply now!
INSTRUCTOR:
Catherine “Cat” Miller, PMG has dedicated her life to the art of storytelling across genres and mediums. A producer, property master, performer, choreographer, creative consultant, teacher, arts administrator, and writer, Miller is driven by a singular goal: creating meaningful connections through storytelling in every form.
With over 15 years in the film and television industry, Miller has earned a reputation for imaginative, meticulous work at the highest level. She was nominated for two MacGuffin Awards and won in 2025 for her work on Severance. As a property master, she has contributed to more than 17 projects, collaborating closely with leading filmmakers including Ben Stiller (Severance), the Safdie Brothers (Uncut Gems), Derek Cianfrance (I Know This Much Is True), and Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij (A Murder at the End of the World). She also serves as Executive Producer of the feature film Summer’s End.
Miller’s work on the diamond-encrusted Furby for Uncut Gems became an instant cultural icon and was widely covered in outlets including Vulture. Her contributions to Severance have been featured in The New York Times, Variety, Road & Track, The Drive, and Polygon. She has also spoken with the BBC and The Guardian about the essential role props play in shaping cinematic storytelling.
In 2025, IATSE Local 52 invited Miller to design and co-teach a foundational workshop in Property Master skills, covering script breakdown and budgeting—further solidifying her influence as a mentor and industry leader.
Beyond production, Miller has played a pivotal role in experiential marketing and large-scale activations. In 2022, she was tapped by Ben Stiller to be Severance’s lead consultant for Apple’s marketing team’s first San Diego Comic-Con activation. She reprised this role in 2024 for Brazil’s CCXP, the world’s largest comic convention, and in 2025 continued as Creative Consultant on multiple high-profile marketing and PR events, including Severance’s viral Grand Central Terminal stunt.
Before entering film, Miller toured extensively as a dance artist and performer. She holds a BFA from the UNC School of the Arts, where she later returned as Guest Faculty. Miller was appointed by Dean Susan Jaffe to the role of Director for UNCSA Summer Dance Programming. During her tenure, she rebranded the Intensive, tripled participation, and founded the enduring Choreographic Institute.
Miller’s work has been exhibited at the Museum of the City of New York in the exhibition This Is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture, showcasing the iconic diamond-encrusted Furby from Uncut Gems. She has also been named a Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT)/Rotunda Gallery Multimedia Artist in Residence. She was a 2025 Art Directors Club of Tulsa Keynote speaker. And most recently, Miller’s writing has been published in Prop Culture Magazine.
She is a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the Property Masters Guild (PMG), and IATSE Local 52.
Cat Miller maintains that her husband, Jose, and their son, Matteo, are the greatest works of art she has ever known.
Stockade Works’ programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Stockade Works believes that film, media, and tech should be accessible for all people. If an accessibility offering such as American Sign Language Interpretation, live captioning, audio descriptions or a post event transcript would aid in your participation, please let us know.