Props till you drop III

What is the course about?

The prop making industry revolves around problem solving, working to a brief, teamwork and delivering on time. This comprehensive course will introduce you to the challenges of being a prop maker and working to such specifications. The course is based on a series of hypothetical client’s briefs which can be answered both individually and collaboratively. You will develop ideas and explore a range of relevant materials and techniques to produce concepts successfully in three dimensions. This is an exciting, challenging, and creative course where you will be interpreting and realising briefs and working to deadlines. You will be introduced to progression routes for further study and/or potential employment. This is a great addition to your CV if you are starting out in prop making, as it focuses on working to a brief and realising a product. Teamwork and collaboration are vital skills needed for working in the prop making industry and this course enables you to gain this experience.

What will we cover?

Working to given briefs you will explore and experiment in the following disciplines:
- Contextual research and design development.
- Drawing and designing skills.
- Working with and understanding scale.
- Realisation of ideas and concepts in three-dimensions.
- Developing relevant skills appropriate to your design ideas, including sculpting in various clays, carpentry, life casting, mould making and casting, polystyrene and Styrofoam carving, and fabrication of a variety of materials.
- Appropriate use of paint effects and finishes.
- An opportunity to work in collaboration with other students.
- Working to a deadline, planning and realisation.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Understand and interpret a prop making brief.
- Understand the design process and relevance of research.
- Design and develop a concept into three-dimensions according to the brief.
- Analyse, plan and select appropriate techniques and processes to initiate a required 3D outcome.
- Identify the demands and advantages of working collaboratively.
- Sculpt objects in various clays and/or polymers.
- Carve basic or more advanced forms in polystyrene or Styrofoam.
- Make moulds and cast in appropriate materials.
- Understand the concept of life casting and make at least one cast.
- Understand the concept of fabrication and manipulation of various materials.
- Use paint effects, finishes and experiments effectively to achieve required results.
- Identify areas within the prop making industry that might use your specific area of expertise.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is open to all levels - from complete beginners with no prior experience, to those who have previously taken prop making courses.

Please note that you can join any of City Lit’s prop making courses in any order. Props 1, Props 2, and Props 3 are not sequential; each course explores different materials and processes, and tutors tailor content to individual student interests.

Feel free to enrol in whichever Props course best suits your schedule and curiosity - no prior course is required!

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Group discussion and one-to-one tutorials will all play an important part in this vibrant course. There will be opportunity for you to develop your ideas on an individual basis, or collaboratively if appropriate. You will be given practical advice and given examples of relevant previous student work. You will be shown techniques through demonstration from your tutor to help you realise your ideas in three dimensions as effectively as possible. You will be given the opportunity to work with different techniques and processes. Although this is not mandatory, there will be options to develop work outside of class and you will be encouraged to visit London’s vibrant museums and art galleries to gather ideas. Research is a key word when we talk about design, and history gives us plenty of material to work with. You will be shown examples of work from relevant practising artists, sculptors and prop makers and you will receive information about progression routes available to you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Materials and Equipment
There are no additional costs - all essential materials and equipment are included in the course fee.

Please bring a sketchbook, pencils, and a pen for sketching and note-taking. A camera or smartphone is also useful for documenting your work in progress.

What to Wear
Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes - no sandals or open-toed footwear. Wearing old clothes or overalls is strongly recommended, as some materials may stain or damage fabric.

Health and Safety
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided and must be worn where required. This includes items such as facemasks when working with materials that may release airborne particles.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

After this course you may wish to enrol on another prop making course at City Lit. For example, VU976 Props till you drop I, VU560 Props till you drop II, or VU106 and VU980 Introduction to prop making for film, TV, theatre and display, to develop your skills further.

The City Lit sculpture department offers a wide range of exciting courses that will allow you to progress from beginner to advanced and learn a range of techniques. After this course, you may wish to join a similar course to develop your skills further or try something completely different. We offer courses in prop making, metal, clay, carving in stone and wood, mould making and casting, and much more! Alternatively, you may wish to progress onto the year-long City Lit Sculpture course VU841, which helps you build your individual sculpture practice.

Please ask your tutor for advice, browse the City Lit website for inspiration, or contact our visual arts team by emailing visualarts@citylit.ac.uk or calling 0203 880 2415 Monday - Friday, 11 am - 4 pm.