Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1533885
26 PROP CULTURE I SPRING 2025 instruments, and it took several weeks to acquire the correct drum kit, guitars, amps, and accessories. Steve Morrow, our sound mixer, recorded all the music after wrap into the night. Those who stayed really got to experience something very special. Bill Preston's Clavinet keyboard was played by the amazing Jon Batiste, and Christopher Griffin was able to provide the period- correct 73 Martin D18 for Janis Ian. Jon really took it to another level. Researching, finding, designing, and building the props an actor holds in their hands is certainly the work of the Property Department most often discussed, and often ends up the focus of the shot. However, there is a whole other layer of props that often goes unnoticed, which is kind of the point. When the background of a show requires knowledge of special skills, a Property Master often takes on the role of training them through use of their props so they can seamlessly fill the world, giving it life and movement that blends with what the cast is doing without being distracted. A properly trained background breathes life into the world rather than distract from the main action of the story. One of the most inspiring elements of working on Saturday Night was how we were able to train the key background in