Prop Making and Special Effects

This course focuses on the design and manufacture of props and SFX for theatre, TV, film, display and entertainment industries. Current students are from a wide range of creative and academic backgrounds but all share a joint passion for design and making.

The course explores a wide range of creative techniques such as wood and metal work, sculpting, moulding and casting, CAD, laser cutting and 3D printing, decorative finishes, model making and soft props/puppetry, to create a broad creative skill set that will support your development as a prop maker.

In the second and third year, you will develop skills in project and people management through the management of live projects for a broad range of external clients.

Throughout the course you are prepared for industry through work placements and portfolio development to ensure you are an industry-ready practitioner.

Key features

• Highly practical industry-focused course

• Personal studio spaces

• Professional wood and metal workshop facilities

• Resin and plaster rooms

• CAD suite

For further information go the course website: www.propsuk.com

Validated by University of the Arts London (UAL)

This programme is validated by University of the Arts London (UAL). UAL is a leading education provider in the creative arts, ranked second in the world for art and design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024). They oversee the standards and quality of our curriculum, which enriches your overall learning experience.

Every 5 years UAL reviews course content to ensure that our students are benefitting from a high-quality academic experience. During this process there may be some changes made to the course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on this page. The information on this page will be updated once the process has been completed. Please contact us if you have any questions about this or the course via HE-enquiries@gbmc.ac.uk

For a detailed course description, please click the button under 'Course contact details' in the bottom right of this page.

Individual offer conditions will vary. Offers normally consist of successful completion of your current course, which can include a relevant A Level or Level 3 Extended Diploma. Industry experience may also be taken into account.

Interview

Our interviews are a relaxed discussion with a member of staff to look over your portfolio, show your passion for design and making and to look around the facilities. You will get the opportunity to meet current students and to see their latest work.

We also offer an online interview if you cannot make it on the day, but we would encourage you to sign up to one of our visit days for a tour and contact our admissions team for further information.

Portfolio

Please bring varied examples of work, photographs and sketch books, be prepared to talk about your portfolio and have ready any questions you would like to ask the interviewing tutor. Most applicants will show varied strengths and weaknesses in their design/technical or practical skills, so show all aspects of yourself as a designer, artist, technical and practical maker and this will be a good start. You should show a variety of skills from the following list (very few will show all things listed):

• Designs sketchbooks/ notebooks and visual thinking - these show your creativity and imagination Life drawing/ mark making - these show your expressive and observational skills

• Painting and illustrations - these show your knowledge in using a variety of colour mediums Pencil sketches/Technical drawing/by hand and/or digital - these show your precision and visual communications skills

• Photographs of: Sculptures in a variety of materials, such as clays, wood, metal, foams, plastics etc. Puppets, models, prop costumes, furniture, scenic construction, hand and hero props

• Props and Models made for hobbies such as Cos-Play, Larp, wargaming etc.