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Prop Man: From John Wick to Silver Linings Playbook, from Boardwalk Empire to Parks and Recreation
This exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the art and design of graphic props for popular films and TV shows like Parks and Recreation, John Wick, Silver Linings Playbook, The Knick , and Boardwalk Empire is the perfect gift for movie buffs.
In Prop Man , discover the secret history of the books, cards, letters, maps, and legal papers that play central and supporting roles in many of your favorite films and TV shows—from the diary Nicolas Cage's character discovers in National Treasure 2 to the Pawnee town charter in Parks and Recreation . The man responsible for their authentic look, Ross MacDonald, has led a double life as both an illustrator and writer, contributing to the New York Times , the New Yorker and Vanity Fair , among other national publications, and a designer and fabricator of iconic props for more than one hundred and twenty films and TV series.
In this visual and informative collection, learn about the methods and artistry behind MacDonald's most recognizable props through an interview with design critic Steven Heller and a selection of materials that reveal the process behind the prop designer's meticulous work.
In Prop Man , discover the secret history of the books, cards, letters, maps, and legal papers that play central and supporting roles in many of your favorite films and TV shows—from the diary Nicolas Cage's character discovers in National Treasure 2 to the Pawnee town charter in Parks and Recreation . The man responsible for their authentic look, Ross MacDonald, has led a double life as both an illustrator and writer, contributing to the New York Times , the New Yorker and Vanity Fair , among other national publications, and a designer and fabricator of iconic props for more than one hundred and twenty films and TV series.
In this visual and informative collection, learn about the methods and artistry behind MacDonald's most recognizable props through an interview with design critic Steven Heller and a selection of materials that reveal the process behind the prop designer's meticulous work.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2022
40 people want to read
About the author
Steven Heller
328 books206 followersSteven Heller writes a monthly column on graphic design books for The New York Times Book Review and is co-chair of MFA Design at the School of Visual Arts. He has written more than 100 books on graphic design, illustration and political art, including Paul Rand, Merz to Emigre and Beyond: Avant Garde Magazine Design of the Twentieth Century, Design Literacy: Understanding Graphic Design Second Edition, Handwritten: Expressive Lettering in the Digital Age, Graphic Design History, Citizen Designer, Seymour Chwast: The Left Handed Designer, The Push Pin Graphic: Twenty Five Years of Design and Illustration, Stylepedia: A Guide to Graphic Design Mannerisms, Quirks, and Conceits, The Anatomy of Design: Uncovering the Influences and Inspirations in Modern Graphic Design. He edits VOICE: The AIGA Online Journal of Graphic Design, and writes for Baseline, Design Observer, Eye, Grafik, I.D., Metropolis, Print, and Step. Steven is the recipient of the Art Directors Club Special Educators Award, the AIGA Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and the School of Visual Arts' Masters Series Award.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 25, 2026
I love the history of props and seeing Anthony Boyle and Keanu Reeves in this
August 2, 2023
No one is likely to go into the film business seeking fame and fortune as a prop man (more properly a prop person). There’s no glory in it. But it’s a crucial role, because, in film and TV, all the details matter, not only to the audience but also to the actors and others involved. A newspaper has to look right; so do the documents on a desk or a tin of tobacco on a shelf. Ross MacDonald, whose name may be known to some from his other career as an illustrator, is one of the people who makes these things, and this immensely revealing book is about what he does and how he does it.
In a word, it takes work. Lots and lots of work. Sometimes it has to be done and redone and redone again, as plans for a production change. This was true for what is essentially the title character of a Nicolas Cage movie called National Treasure: Book of Secrets, for which the required design of the book kept shifting. Sometimes the prop man’s work doesn’t even end up being used. An entire second career for the title character in the first John Wick movie, which involved making or restoring books in his basement, was eliminated in editing, leaving only a curious glimpse of some kind of book press. (For those who know the films, this explains the likely background of a book he has secreted away in the New York Public Library in the third installment.)
The photographs in the book, except for a few production stills, were presumably made by MacDonald himself and are neatly staged. They show not only the prop or props in question (identified in a caption) but also a collection of related objects, for instance, medical gear used in The Knick, or a pen and glasses, or tools of MacDonald’s trade laid out on a work surface. He has essentially made settings for the display of his creations. And his creations are, if not genuine treasures, at least marvels of art and craft.
In a word, it takes work. Lots and lots of work. Sometimes it has to be done and redone and redone again, as plans for a production change. This was true for what is essentially the title character of a Nicolas Cage movie called National Treasure: Book of Secrets, for which the required design of the book kept shifting. Sometimes the prop man’s work doesn’t even end up being used. An entire second career for the title character in the first John Wick movie, which involved making or restoring books in his basement, was eliminated in editing, leaving only a curious glimpse of some kind of book press. (For those who know the films, this explains the likely background of a book he has secreted away in the New York Public Library in the third installment.)
The photographs in the book, except for a few production stills, were presumably made by MacDonald himself and are neatly staged. They show not only the prop or props in question (identified in a caption) but also a collection of related objects, for instance, medical gear used in The Knick, or a pen and glasses, or tools of MacDonald’s trade laid out on a work surface. He has essentially made settings for the display of his creations. And his creations are, if not genuine treasures, at least marvels of art and craft.
December 20, 2023
Prop Man includes an entertaining example of the lengths in which prop designers go to for one single shot or scene in a movie. It also includes some cool up-close photos of props that he designed. And that’s pretty much it.
I’m not entirely sure why this book was made when it contains so little actual written material. It easily could have been an internet article instead. I would have loved to hear more stories behind the props or the process of making them (like the story of The Book of Secrets). And more of his story would have been appreciated; how he became a prop artist, why he got into props in the first place, how prop making has changed since he started, etc. But all we get is a 1 page bio, short interview, 1 good story about what it’s like to be a prop designer, and a whole lot of photos.
Both Silver Linings Playbook and Parks and Rec are mentioned in the title, but the first is never shown or talked about and the second is only referenced in one photo. Most of the book is about National Treasure 2, Boardwalk Empire, and The Plot Against America so the title is pretty misleading. And although he’s worked on hundreds of movies, most of the props seemed to be from the same five or so movies and the same types of props.
I’m sure MacDonald has plenty of stories and knowledge to share, and is a compelling person to write a book about, but this book does not do him justice. Just do a cursory google search and you’ve basically read the book.
I’m not entirely sure why this book was made when it contains so little actual written material. It easily could have been an internet article instead. I would have loved to hear more stories behind the props or the process of making them (like the story of The Book of Secrets). And more of his story would have been appreciated; how he became a prop artist, why he got into props in the first place, how prop making has changed since he started, etc. But all we get is a 1 page bio, short interview, 1 good story about what it’s like to be a prop designer, and a whole lot of photos.
Both Silver Linings Playbook and Parks and Rec are mentioned in the title, but the first is never shown or talked about and the second is only referenced in one photo. Most of the book is about National Treasure 2, Boardwalk Empire, and The Plot Against America so the title is pretty misleading. And although he’s worked on hundreds of movies, most of the props seemed to be from the same five or so movies and the same types of props.
I’m sure MacDonald has plenty of stories and knowledge to share, and is a compelling person to write a book about, but this book does not do him justice. Just do a cursory google search and you’ve basically read the book.
November 22, 2025
Tiny book that is way too short and limited in its scope. Of the 141 "pages" (more like mini pages) only around 30 have written narrative content. There are just an opening few pages about the prop man, then a short interview with him. That's followed by about 100 pages of illustrations. It's focused too narrowly on a few projects and fails to give enough background about most of the man's work.
The subtitle is simply misleading--beyond some pictures the reader learns little to nothing about the prop man's contributions to movies and television. I thought when I ordered this book that it would be bursting with fascinating details about the many prop aspects of big films and fun sitcoms--how wrong I was.
It's super niche, covering mostly printed props like old newspapers, and is so narrow in its content that it may only be of interest to those in the movie industry. Otherwise this author doesn't deserve any props.
The subtitle is simply misleading--beyond some pictures the reader learns little to nothing about the prop man's contributions to movies and television. I thought when I ordered this book that it would be bursting with fascinating details about the many prop aspects of big films and fun sitcoms--how wrong I was.
It's super niche, covering mostly printed props like old newspapers, and is so narrow in its content that it may only be of interest to those in the movie industry. Otherwise this author doesn't deserve any props.
May 22, 2022
A thin, but fascinating, book about a prop man for movies, tv and theater who makes printed props—old books, newspapers, wanted posters, tickets, toe tags for the morgue, etc. it’s amazing to find out the time and detail involved in producing something that has one second of screen time. I really, really enjoyed this!
October 1, 2022
Ross Mcdonald makes props for movies and TV. He has a background in the printing industry which helps him create items which fit the periods of the films. The book tells a bit about his background and some of his experiences, along with some examples, while working in the film industry.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews