Link: https://www.rada.ac.uk/courses/production-and-design/property-making/overview

Why I want to Attend this course:

I want to attend this course because I want to get into the prop making industry, and this course has a long list of different techniques to learn. This will give me a range of skills to get into work. Rather than only being specialised in one part. I also like that it is based in London so i wont have to travel far, minimising travel costs.

Course Over View:

In four terms, students will learn all the essential techniques in making props, plus organisational and managerial skills including how to control a budget. The training will provide students with the skills needed to take on the role of Property Maker on the Academy's public productions, where they will work with professional directors and designers.

In the final term students' project work will be exhibited in the 'Technical Exhibition' giving students the opportunity to talk about their work with an invited group of industry contacts.

Course Includes:

• Role of property maker/supervisor on RADA productions
• Stage carpentry
• Practical sessions in fibreglass, woodturning, furniture making and upholstery
• Fake food preparation
• Technical and perspective drawing
• Visits to prop hire companies
• Polystyrene carving
• Welding
• Safe use of hand tools including routers, jigsaws and sanders
• Safe use of power tools including bandsaw, table and wall saws, morticer, polystyrene cutter
• A shell mould project
• Rubber moulding and casting techniques
• Fabric dyeing course
• Sign-writing
• Up to six weeks professional attachment

Entry Requirements:

Link: https://www.cssd.ac.uk/course/prop-making-ba

Why i want to attend this course:

I went on a trip to this University and saw what they have to offer and the great opportunities they offer. They have connections with a range of companies including the film industry which i want to get into the most.

Course Over View

Central’s Prop Makers develop into highly technically skilled, creatively inventive individuals, able to contribute effectively and professionally to any production and its team, or work independently. It is rare to make the same thing twice and, as such, the Prop Maker has to be ingenious, quick-thinking, enjoy problem solving and have a love of materials and all things three-dimensional.

You will gain experience through working with a broad range of materials and techniques from intricate, hand-held reproduction props, to large scale structures requiring excellent artistic and creative skills. You will also undertake industry placements and participate in the final year exhibition.

Course Includes:

Year 1

You will attend classes and workshops in design interpretation, technical drawing, sculpting, mould making, casting, fibre glass and plaster work, vacuum forming, paint effects, construction, welding and polystyrene carving. Working with professional designers and as part of a production team, you will produce props for public productions at Central, or an external industry event. You will also develop text analysis and research skills, and an understanding of the wider context of the practice.

Year 2

This year covers sessions and workshops in body padding, advanced mould making, silicone and resin work, advanced sculpting, fabrication and model making. You will further develop your skills in design interpretation, time management, self-management and budgeting, and also head a team to develop management skills. You will undertake further industry placements and continue to develop research skills.

Year 3

You will take on the role of Head of Department, managing fellow students producing props for productions and continuing to coordinate with other members of the creative and production teams. You will have the opportunity to develop a personal project to showcase at the summer term exhibition and extend further links with the industry through placement work. The focus will be on developing specialist skills to inform strategies for future practice beyond Central, including developing a strong media profile.

Entry Requirements:

3 A Levels at BBC, BTEC ND: DDM.

Link: http://brightonfilmschool.co.uk/our-courses/art-direction-and-production-design-hnchnd/?gclid=COLKkcu1gsYCFSIFwwodVwUAzQ

Why I want to AttendThis Course:

I want to attend this course because it is a film industry course which i want to get into. The university is in Brighton which means i will have to leave home which does appeal to me. There is a lot of work base activities on the computer, which i am good at. You also learn about rendering on a computer which i need to get better at.

Course Over View:

The programme is structured around three main projects; a work placement on a set design project, a personal project developing specialist art direction skills (such as drafting and model making) and a final live project on a short film, employing skills acquired during the year. The project work will be undertaken alongside workshops and studio study, incorporating theory, research and practical skills to give a holistic understanding of the design process and contextual base on which to develop professional working methods.

Progression from the HNC 1st year is to the 2nd year HND Level 5, equivalent to the second year of a degree.

Entry requirements:

We are looking for at least two C grades in A levels or a Merit if you are studying a vocational qualification. We would also be very happy to look at applications where work experience or a portfolio of work may substitute for these qualifications.

Link: http://propsuk.com/the-course/

Why I want to attend this course:

Its the only course i have looked at that offers a special effect training course. This i feel will come in handy when designing and creating props as i could bring them to complete finish level on my own.

Course Over View:

The course is a 2 year (FDA) Foundation Degree in Prop making & Special FX, with a recommended optional third year top up that will give you a BA (Hons) degree.

This is a full time course that supplies high contact time with staff, most materials, unless you have expensive taste, outstanding workshop facilities and equipment, with full time access to enable you to hone your skills to an industry standard. We actively encourage skills practice outside of the course content and the facilities are made available as much as possible.

Course Includes:

Year 1- foundation degree

You will be introduced to a wide range of methods and materials used in prop making and special effects. This includes woodwork, metalwork including welding, sculpture in various materials, moulding and casting, technical drawing, model making, design practices, and contextual studies to further develop your understanding of the industry.

Through internal shows, exhibition, commissions and individual projects you will get to practice what you have learnt in preparation for the second year.

Year 2- foundation degree

There is more skills practice (always encouraged), on internal and external projects/ commissions and the development of your understanding of your place within the entertainment industry. This is achieved through work experience and your own personal progression in the development of marketing yourself as a Prop maker. You will also be encouraged to develop contacts gained through work experience in preparation for employment.

Year 3 BA (honours)

This is an optional third year made up of 2 core units and a dissertation that leads to a full honours degree.

Entry Requirements:

160 UCAS points from one of the following:

• BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in theatre production/fine art/product design
• A Levels – at least 140 points from A2 Levels (including a relevant subject, practical or artistic)
• Foundation Studies Diploma in Art & Design/Media

2012 - Present

I work on the checkout department at the store, and recently have been given more responsibility within the team. I have worked from being a standard checkout assistant to working the kiosk, customer service desk, self scan to now supervisor. This role means during the day I need to make sure all the checkouts are working correctly, that everyone is doing there allocated role and organise the breaks. Then at the end of the day, close all the checkouts, cash the tills and empty the money in the self scan machines. I then need to take the money into the cash office and make sure they are all locked away.

Work / Work Experience: CBBC Dixi 2 ( Kindle Entertainment)

I got in contact with the Art Director Called Mathew Burrton. He was in charge of the whole art department as the team was only a small one. I was the Art runner meaning i was on set at all times, and organised when props were needed and handed them out to the actors. I also set up the sets for the next days filming, then striked them after.

Wanted Work Experience

Aden Hience:

He is a set and props maker who lives local to Grays and he allows students to partake in work experience for a week. He says you will never know who the next big person is. You get one week with him and if you impress him you get kept on. If not then thats it. This is a great opportunity as you get a great insight into a real work shop and get to see how everything is done for industry. From this i am hopping to impress him and could get a regular thing with him. This would be ideal because of the clients he works for and the local work shop.

First Stage - Work Experience at the Royal Opera House

The Royal Opera House is passionate about inspiring people to choose careers in the arts sector, particularly in backstage areas that they may not previously have considered.

Through First Stage, the Royal Opera House offers people who are either in education or in the early stage of their career the opportunity to gain practical experience and invaluable insight into our working environments. While these opportunities are unpaid, we hope our work experience students go on to build on their experience further through further education and training, ultimately gaining paid employment in the sector.

First Stage Props would be the course i would apply for, its a 2 week course and dates will be given when application is successful.

General Inspiration: https://uk.pinterest.com/samwendleken/general-inspiration/

Cosplay Inspiration: https://uk.pinterest.com/samwendleken/cosplay-inspiration/