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Society of Props Managers

SPMinars: like webinars but better

What’s a SPMinar? It’s like webinar but better.  Animatronics, firearms safety, blood recipes,
fake (and real) food.  Props professionals share their tips and tricks (almost) monthly via our YouTube channel.

We are requesting pay-what-you-can donations to support this S*P*A*Minar programming. All money collected will be used to offset webinar operation costs with additional funds going to our annual grant program for early career prop people. Suggested donation amount is $3. If you’ve already donated, thank you! If you are able, pay what you can donations can be made via Venmo, Zelle, or Paypal. Venmo @SPMfund Paypal Money Pool @SPAMprops Zelle to spamdues@gmail.com

Venmo @SPMfund

Paypal Money Pool @SPAMprops

Zelle to spamdues@gmail.com

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Play Video about A picture of Eric Hart demonstrating with a puppet during his presentation on animatronics.

Animatronics- Where Objects Come to Life

In this SPMinar, viewers will learn what animatronics are and where they are used. They will then learn some of the basic technology to add movement and control to their own creations.

Eric Hart is the interim Director of Animatronics at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He has built props and effects for shows on and off Broadway, regional theaters and operas, films and commercials. He has been a member of SPM since 2009.

Play Video about A picture of four bullet casings and a ruler

Firearms Safety for the Stage

This S*P*Minar with S*P*M member Jim Guy will be a sprint through the policies and procedures needed for the selection and safe use of blank-firing guns and ammunition with an emphasis on pre-production preparation, and backstage and onstage protocols.

Jim has been designing and building props and dressing sets professionally since he joined the resident company of Cleveland Play House more than 43 years ago. Since then, his work has been seen on and off Broadway and in theaters across the country. He detoured into the academic world for seven years to run the Master in Fine Arts program in Theatrical Properties Management and Design at the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana. He then returned to the true faith of professional theater when he became Properties Director at Milwaukee Repertory Theater 26 years ago. In addition to his theatrical work, Mr. Guy continues to teach and freelance – doing props, set dressing and special effects for opera, film, industrial and commercial video and print.

 

Play Video about A screenshot of an Airtable from Liz Baehr's presentation on using Airtable for props

Using Airtable for Props Organization

Liz Baehr will share an overview of the ways Airtable can help keep your shop organized and on track. She’ll cover a prop bible, inventory databases, workload visualization and integrations along with some helpful tips and tricks. Everything shown will be through the free plan of Airtable with some comparisons to the paid plans.

Liz Baehr is the Props Manager for the Resident Ensemble Players at the University of Delaware. She has been a member of SPM for 14 years and is currently the Secretary and a member of the Communications and Grants committees. She is also a fiber artist and small business owner, with home studio making accessories and home decor.

 

From tufting to textures, daggers to set decorations,
our topics run the proverbial props gamut.

SPM Logo - Society of Props Managers