How does one acquire the skills to make tons of amazing prop replicas?

[trebory6]

So I'm not going to lie, when it comes to hands on modeling, I am a novice.

So I was wondering where all the members who do amazing prop replica's get their skill sets.

I'm talking resin casting, 3d printing, airbrushing, etc. How can I learn to do this kind of stuff? What kind of classes do you recommend? Stagecraft, welding technologies, Art?

I really want to learn how to use prop building equipment as well, but I don't know where to learn that, and/or get access to anything.

By the way, I'm a freshman at college, so I have a lot of time to learn.

Thanks!

 

[Contec]

I learned it here..... i ask people how they did and some of them give really detailed instructions.

 

[Pete SSS]

I studied Art and Design all through school, then I did a 3 year Modelmaking degree over here in the UK, then freelanced in London for a few years, working on projects for Museums, TV and theatre.

What you really need to do though is practice. Formal training is wonderful, but means nothing if you don't experiment and expand on it by yourself. If you want to have a go at casting, find some good tutorials online, by some rubber and resin and have a go!

You also have to realise that none of us ever stop learning, there are always new challenges and techniques to master, that's what keeps us all interested!

Here is a link to the course I did here, it has a different name now but it's all the same people.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a similar course in the States.

Good Luck!

 

[Risu]

I'd say have a good art background and then read forums like this one, the 405th, etc. it helps to have a project that requires a certain skill be learned. I wouldn't know the first thing about resin if I hadn't decided to make a Master Chief helmet (which I actually never finished anyways, but learned a lot in the process). You've got a real head start if you grew up drawing, painting, or other such activities.

 

[micdavis]

...............

 

[G17RDY]

Research, practice and just simply giving it a go!!

You never know what you are capable of unless you try it first!

 

[CustomCreations]

Just by doing it.
I always did art at school and went straight to do a Model making degree as well....
Truly, the best way is to choose something simple to make and sit down with it- maybe do an artwork to begin with, such as a map, or ID card. This will help observation and research skills...
Then try a small trinket like a coin, something hand held and fairly simple....a Goonies Key, perhaps?

 

[CustomCreations]

A good example:
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=83395

 

[micdavis]

And this one.

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=83387

 

[Gigatron]

Just go out and do it. Nothing you can read about on the interweb will ever replace hands-on experience.

the only thing you won't be able to really practice is 3D printing. Obviously, you'd need access to a printer. But, you can learn the software and practice designing in 3D space.

Start by building off the shelf models. Go buy a couple of $10 monogram/revell kits and start building. You'll start to train yourself to visualize how things go together. You'll see how things go from a box of parts that don't look like anything, to a completed model. After a few, you'll be able to reverse engineer a kit. You can teach yourself scratchbuilding, which will stretch your imagination. You'll learn how to make something, from absolutely nothing. From there, you can learn mold making and casting. And models are a really great way to hone your airbrushing skills. And you'll increase your fine motor skills.

All of this will help you build and even design, props. Most props are nothing more than models. You take a bunch of parts that don't look like anything and build them into something that looks like the idea in your head.

-Fred

 

[WebChief]

I have an art degree but really, what helps the most is what everyone here has already said... practice, practice, practice. Not everything you do will be a success but its all valuable in the end because it teaches you the right and the wrong way to do things.

I haven't sculpted since college and I certainly never made molds or worked with silicone until I decided that I wanted to make an Ahsoka Tano headpiece for my daughter. There was nothing out there on the market to buy so I decided to do it myself. I talked with people who'd done similar things before me, read a LOT on forums like this, talked to the guys at the supply store and just gave it a go.

Like others have said, start off small and use each project as a stepping stone to the next. You might end up surprising yourself!

 

[PHArchivist]

Its all about motivation, and having a good eye.

If you want it bad enough, and can recognize what it should look like when its done, you'll find a way to make it happen.

 

[Skaught]

You just do it. Sometimes things will seem very complicated an mysterious until you jump in with both feet and realize the water wasn't as deep as you thought. Your first efforts may not be perfect, but you're learning so they're very valuable.

My first props are a bit simplistic and not very accurate. Now I'm building a full size IG-88, mostly off the top of my head, and making it up as I go. You just need to DO IT!

Scott

 

[dropshipbob]

Start with small projects, get what tools you can when you can. If you can find someone who has the skills and you can hang around them, do so. If you see a thread on this board that interests you, read it, study it.

Get some models of space ships, planes, tanks, whatever, and use those to practice things like dry brushing, weathering...modify them to look like other things, a futuristuc tank, a hovering semi, etc.

 

[oblagon]

For me, I started out as a fine artist and just experimented with airbrushing, painting, and sculpture to see what worked and didn't. After a few semesters, I switched schools and went to college for industrial design. While there I took classes in model making, CAD, and rapid prototyping. Also learned a lot from trial and error and asking questions.

 

[ave4uevoli]

same way you get to carnegie hall

doesn't hurt to have a super attention to detail skills and be anal either.

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

Keep motivated and don't get yourself to far into debt. This hobby can be expensive but there are always shortcuts to keep the cost low. Start off with using inexpensive raw materials and improve from there. Example I used Paperclay for my Cannibal Jack toes, sculpted them free hand rather than casting molds of different peoples toes, using latex rubber, and adding color / human hair to each piece. I used cheap acrylic paint to color each one.

Also try to keep your hobby making to one genre! Not that making different items from different movies isn't OK but you may find yourself wanting to make EVERYTHING from different movies, television shows, comics, etc!!!

Practice...practice....practice!!! And collect as many reference photos as you can. That is always a good way to start and see how you can simulate different materials, textures, color, etc.

Ask lots of questions because some people may have already created what you want and may be able to provide alot of help. Also before you start any project put your thoughts out on paper to come up with a concept design. You will find out that this is helpful and you can make changes as you go along.

 

[LizardJedi]

You said you were a freshman in college... what are you studying?

I'm an Engineering major, and within the student clubs and stuff, there are a bunch of projects to work on that, while they might not be prop making, will teach you many skills that are needed (not just CAD and design stuff, but how to use tools and machines)

I also get people thinking I'm an art major when I'm walking though the dorms with my project stuff, so I'm sure they have stuff like that do.

 

[trebory6]

Holy cow, thanks a lot to everyone who replied! Seriously, I was pretty lost before.

But yeah, I have always been able to draw very well, but it's not something that I have exactly enjoyed the most growing up. I do have multiple certifications in Graphic Design, will these be helpful?

My real passion is movie and TV production, which is what I'm majoring in right now.

Another passion is props, which is why I'm taking stagecraft, and thanks to you guys, probably a few art classes as well for my minor.

Just by doing it.
I always did art at school and went straight to do a Model making degree as well....
Truly, the best way is to choose something simple to make and sit down with it- maybe do an artwork to begin with, such as a map, or ID card. This will help observation and research skills...
Then try a small trinket like a coin, something hand held and fairly simple....a Goonies Key, perhaps?

I was actually thinking about doing the Elemental Stones from The Fifth Element out of Paper clay. Would this be a good place to start? Or should I try to make it out of resin first?

Start by building off the shelf models. Go buy a couple of $10 monogram/revell kits and start building. You'll start to train yourself to visualize how things go together. You'll see how things go from a box of parts that don't look like anything, to a completed model. After a few, you'll be able to reverse engineer a kit.

I've got an original series Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise snap together model kit. Is that what you're talking about?

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

I would make them out of PaperClay first because it is cheaper and easier to work with the medium.

Add a twist to them by using some lead weights in the middle of the Paper Clay props to give them some weight and more feel for real stone.

I am making the Indy Shankara stones the very same way but going to use translucent Sculpy III polymer clay on the surface to give it a wee bit of a shine.