How to get into the prop making industry

[bladefans]

I would like to get into the industry. What degrees should I go for and at what colleges do you recommend.

I worked in IT at a VFX company for 2 years after getting a BS in Computer Science. I often heard artists and producers bragging about how skipping college was the greatest decision of their lives. Less education was a badge of honor. Definitely not an industry for me ever again.

To further answer your question, producers and coordinators often start as PAs (Production Assistants). A degree won't hurt your chances of getting a position like this, but they are extremely willing to hire right out of high school.

I met far more professional artists (with jobs) who went to art school instead of a university for a Bachelor of Arts degree. In the case of VFX, a few popular schools include Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Hollywood, Digital Animation and Visual Effects (DAVE) school at Universal Orlando, and The Academy of Art University in San Francisco. These are specialty schools that will often cost just as much for their >1 year program as 4 years at a university will. Having a certificate from an art school drastically narrows your career options if you tire of the industry.

The reason so many brag about skipping these schools? Because regardless of your educational background, the person who gets the job is the person with the better demo reel/portfolio. EVERY time.

 

[Michael Bergeron]

regardless of your educational background, the person who gets the job is the person with the better demo reel/portfolio. EVERY time.

Yep. I've posted this in other threads, the education section of your resume is literally the last thing I look at. A great reel & cover letter are what get you into an interview. Based on those two things I usually know who I'm going to hire before meeting a single candidate.

 

[Props69]

My experience with any job if you really enjoy doing something don't do it for a living the longer you do it the less you'll like it plus them you won't want to "play" with that stuff on your off time. This is why I don't build cars, motorbikes or fabricate anything for a living because I have to much fun doing it in my free time. Find a job you like/ some what enjoy or have fun at keep your hobby stuff for your free time.

 

[markquested]

Hi all,

I came accross a post by someone who works for the BBC on Doctor Who but can't find it anymore lol....Anyway, I'm wanting to get into the prop making side of things as a career but have no idea what courses I'd need to take or basically what to do with regards to having this as an actual job......I know the afore mentioned person had ther own website as they were going freelance.....think I'd been looking at sonic screwdriver threads at the time but need some help/ advice..... I'm in sheffield in the Uk so have no Idea what to do other than ask the elite...that being the peeps on here . Craig

I would suggest making connections with the following:

Nick Robatto - Rubbertoe props, props for TV and Film

Purple Blancmange - PurpleBlancmange

Neill Gorton - Gorton Studio

Mike Tucker - The Model Unit: models and miniature effects for television and film

Prop Makers - Propmaker.co.uk

All of these are UK props makers (and in Neill's case, a UK prosethics and animatronics). And they all have connections with programmes like Doctor Who, Torchwood, Red Dwarf, Sarah Jane Adventures, Doctor Who exhibitions, etc.

 

[Quagmire9]

i have and still do (chasing contracts like elmer fud chases buggs) worked in the film and TV and theater industry. i started on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein in the foam lab bashing out DeNiros latex appliances. i got in how? well, i didn't even have a portfolio so for the interview i literally took a box a huge box of crap that i had made. unorthadox i know, but it got me in. apparently it showed passion. now i don't know about that, but the point i am making is, some what messily i think, is there are all types of ways to break into it. it IS getting harder of course, but i think if you had 30 people from the industry in a room, they'd probably all have different stories of how they broke into it. don't be scared. put yourself out there. you'll soon figure out what they're looking for from your first few knock backs

build loads. work on anything and everything you can. and never turn down a contract or commission, BUT you are always judged on your work, so make it stand out!

 

[biguk]

Pretty much all my friends that work in the industry stumbled into it by chance.