Amid the challenges facing many sectors of the entertainment industry, the Property Masters Guild (PMG) is proudly defying the odds with significant growth and expansion. On Thursday, April 17, PMG will celebrate the highly anticipated launch of PROP CULTURE magazine, the Guild’s flagship publication, offering an exclusive insider perspective into the making of props for film and television. The launch event promises to bring together industry professionals, creatives and tastemakers to commemorate this exciting milestone.
Edited by Theresa Corvino and Scott Buckwald, PROP CULTURE previously released its debut issue in Winter 2024 and has quickly gained recognition as an essential resource for professionals within the craft. Published quarterly in January, April, June and August, the magazine features in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes insights and profiles of the talented individuals shaping the craft, underscoring the critical role Property Masters play in cinematic storytelling. Unlike many publications shifting to digital-only formats, PROP CULTURE remains dedicated to print, honoring the tangible nature of the props it celebrates.
“As Property Masters, we work in a hands-on artistic field, bringing props to life in ways that elevate stories and make them more immersive,” say editors Theresa Corvino and Scott Buckwald. “PROP CULTURE is an extension of that. It’s something you can hold, collect and truly engage with, much like the props we create.”
This milestone comes at a time of tremendous growth for PMG. On September 14, 2024, the Property Masters Guild proudly presented the inaugural MacGuffin Awards, the first-ever awards show to honor excellence among Property Masters and their teams in film, television and commercials. Oppenheimer (Guillaume Delouche, PMG), Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning – Part 1 (David Cheesman, PMG) and Poor Things (Balázs M. Kovács) took home the Motion Picture MacGuffin Awards, while The Bear (Laura Roeper, PMG), Lessons in Chemistry (Jode Mann, PMG), Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (Jeffrey Johnson,
PMG), That ’90s Show (Julie Heuer, PMG), Perry Mason (Brad Einhorn, PMG), The Last of Us (Justin Onofriechuk) and A Black Lady Sketch Show (Todd Daniels, PMG) were honored in the Television categories. The event also awarded Feeding Time: A Tale from Jack in the Box (Brad Elliott, PMG) for Outstanding Short Format: Commercials & Music Videos.
In addition, two special honors were bestowed during the ceremony. Russell Bobbitt, the veteran Property Master behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe, received the Hill Valley Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic efforts. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Emily Ferry, the first female Property Master in film and television, in recognition of her groundbreaking career and lasting contributions to the industry.
PMG’s Prop Talk podcast, launched on January 31, 2023, continues to gain momentum, offering engaging discussions with top industry professionals about prop history, craft personship and the evolving landscape of the business. Featuring Property Masters, Production Designers, Set Decorators, Directors of Photography, Directors, Actors and more, Prop Talk dives deep into the heart of the craft.
“At a time when many areas of our industry face adversity, the craft is not just surviving, it’s thriving,” says PMG President Jeffrey Johnson. “With the launch of PROP CULTURE magazine, the success of our inaugural MacGuffin Awards, the continued growth of our podcast and our developing industry partnerships, PMG is proving that the art of property mastery is more essential than ever.”
The PROP CULTURE magazine launch event on April 17 will celebrate this exciting momentum and provide industry leaders and creatives with an opportunity to connect, engage with PMG members, the magazine’s content and experience firsthand the artistry that defines the Property Masters Guild.
