The Prop Effects Guidebook

Lights, Motion, Sound, and Magic

About the Book

Hardcover. 202 pages.
Published by Focal Press, 2018.
9 x 9 inches. Full Color.
ISBN: 978-1138641136
Retail Price: $39.95 (USD)

What's it about?

In The Prop Building Guidebook, author Eric Hart demonstrated how to cut, glue, sculpt, and bend raw materials to build props. Now in The Prop Effects Guidebook, he shows us how to connect and assemble components and parts to make those props light up, explode, make noise, and bleed. It delves into the world of electricity, pneumatics, liquids, and mechanical effects to teach you how to make your props perform magic in front of a live audience.

Purchase the Book

The Prop Effects Guidebook is available in both hardcover and e-book formats. You can buy or order the book from nearly any bookstore.
Companion Videos
Head on over to YouTube to watch all the companion videos for the Prop Building Guidebook. See how to make blood, fire, fog, and more magic.

Eric Hart

Author

Eric Hart is the props master for Triad Stage in North Carolina. He is the author of The Prop Building Guidebook: For Theatre, Film, and TV, also published by Focal Press. Eric has built props for numerous theatres on and off Broadway and throughout the United States. He has worked with some of America's top actors, directors, and designers at the Santa Fe Opera, the Actors Theatre of Louisville, and the Public Theater. Eric has also constructed props for display and exhibition including the holiday window displays at several major New York City retail stores.
  • Email: eric@eric-hart.com

Further Resources

Some of Eric Hart's other projects.

The Prop Building Guidebook

Eric Hart's first book lays the groundwork for an artisan to determine what materials and techniques to use to build these props. 

Prop Agenda

The blog that started it all. Since 2009, Eric has been writing about prop building, practical effects, and working in the world of theater.

Eric's Portfolio

See some of the props Eric has built for theaters across the US.