Production Research
Production Research is the process of investigating and gathering information about how to create props, costumes, or set pieces for theater, film, or television productions. This involves studying historical items, materials, and techniques to ensure accuracy in prop making. When someone lists Production Research on their resume, they're showing they know how to find reliable information about objects that need to be recreated, understand different construction methods, and can make informed decisions about materials and techniques to use. Similar terms include "prop research," "historical research," or "artifact research."
Examples in Resumes
Conducted Production Research for Victorian-era furniture pieces used in Broadway show
Led Production Research and material sourcing for superhero costume components
Performed detailed Production Research to recreate authentic 1920s props
Typical job title: "Production Researchers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Production Researchers
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage research for multiple productions with conflicting deadlines?
Expected Answer: Should discuss project management skills, prioritization methods, and how they organize and share research findings with different production teams.
Q: Tell me about a time when you had to research a particularly challenging prop or time period.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate problem-solving abilities, research methodology, and how they handled historical accuracy while meeting production constraints.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What resources do you typically use for production research?
Expected Answer: Should mention various sources like museums, libraries, historical societies, online databases, and explain how they verify information accuracy.
Q: How do you balance historical accuracy with practical production needs?
Expected Answer: Should discuss decision-making process, budget considerations, and how they adapt research findings to meet production requirements.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's your process for documenting research findings?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic organization methods, photo documentation, source citation, and how they present findings to the production team.
Q: How do you determine if a source is reliable?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic fact-checking methods, cross-referencing information, and identifying reputable sources.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic research methods
- Documentation and organization
- Understanding of theater/film terminology
- Computer skills for research and presentation
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced research techniques
- Budget management
- Period-specific knowledge
- Team coordination
Senior (5+ years)
- Project management
- Multiple production coordination
- Research strategy development
- Team leadership
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic theater or film production processes
- Poor organization skills
- Inability to meet deadlines
- Lack of attention to historical detail
Related Terms
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