Prop Making, BA

This course remains open to new applications. If you make an application via UCAS, your application will be marked as 'late' but will still be considered for progression to interview and this will not affect your chances of being offered a place

Course information

Duration
3 years full-time
Course start
October
Award
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Theatre Practice

UCAS code

Institution
C35
Course
W462

About this course

Studying on the Prop Making pathway of the BA (Hons) Theatre Practice course, you will:

  • Receive intensive training in making props using a broad range of materials and techniques
  • Develop research-based, aesthetic and technical design interpretation choices
  • Undertake industry placements within a range of professional practices
  • Become one of Central’s Prop Makers: develop into a highly technically skilled, creatively inventive, collaborative and informed individual, able to contribute effectively and professionally to any production and its team.

What does Prop Making involve?

Prop Making reaches into all areas of the entertainment industry – theatre, film, television, window display, model animation, community arts, museum installation and replication work.

The Prop Maker will work with designers and directors to produce bespoke items for individual requirements. It is rare to make the same thing twice, so the Prop Maker has to be ingenious, quick-thinking, explorative, dexterous, enjoy problem solving and have a love of materials and all things three-dimensional.

The work can range from small, intricate, hand-held reproduction items, to large-scale, articulated structures, but will always require excellent artistic and creative skills. Working independently or as part of a team, accurately and to deadlines, the Prop Maker will cover a broad ranges of materials and techniques.

Read more from Course Leader Dot Young on becoming a prop maker for film, theatre and TV.

Gain a high level of technical competence

You will gain experience and a high level of technical competence, working with a wide range of prop making materials and techniques in Central’s first-class facilities, including sculpting skills, casting techniques, welding, 3D printing, polystyrene carving, vacuum forming, carpentry, life casting, paint finishing and texturing. You will develop skills in research, analysis, collaboration and design interpretation, as well as strong technical drawing skills and an understanding of colour theories and working to scale. You will also cultivate a broad understanding of period styles and aesthetics.

Want to get more hands on experience? Learn How to make your own Prop Doughnut

Opportunities on the course

Central’s Prop Makers develop into highly technically skilled, creatively inventive, collaborative and informed individuals, able to contribute effectively and professionally to any production and its team. You will be offered a range of opportunities to develop excellent and comprehensive prop making skills as part of a prop making team, including on public productions at Central, working closely with students of other theatre disciplines in order to develop an overall understanding of performance and theatre production. You will also undertake placements in the industry to develop a full CV and further extend your skills. You will participate in a public exhibition presenting your work to invited industry employers and others.

Second-year Entry

You can apply for second-year entry to this course if you have already undertaken first-year study at another institution on a relevant course, taken a HND and HNC qualification or have relevant experience. Please contact openevents@cssd.ac.uk to find out more

Accordion

  • Course Detail

    Year 1: Exploring and learning specific skills

    • 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 a public show at Central, or for an external industry event.
    • You will also develop text analysis and research skills, and an understanding of the wider context of your practice.

    Year 2: Further skills development

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

    Year 3: Focus on professional development

    • You will further develop in 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.
    • Participate in a public exhibition presenting your work to invited industry employers and others
    • Extend links with the industry through placement work and focus on developing specialist skills to inform strategies for future practice beyond Central, which include developing a strong media profile.
  • Industry Links & Placements

    Through project work and regular close contact with industry professionals and recent graduates, you are prepared to enter the industry by your final year.

    From the second year onwards, you have the opportunity to arrange placements. These include a variety of genres, such as live arts, devised and collaborative works, text/character-based play productions, film, large-scale community arts events, museum installation and television.

    The opportunities offered through placements ensure that each student graduates with a full and professional CV, showing a wide range of industry contacts and dynamic experiences.

    You will benefit from the established links the course has with some of the best prop making and associated companies and entertainment practitioners in the UK and beyond, such as:

    • English National Opera
    • White Horse Theatre in Germany
    • Unicorn Theatre
    • Madame Tussauds
    • Merlin Entertainments
    • Endemol Productions
    • Elstree Studios
    • Emergency Exit Arts
    • Kinetica
    • Asylum Models & Effects
    • Millington Associates
    • Neil Corbould Special Effects
    • Manta Ray and Whetton & Grosch.

    Through placements, students have worked with these and other companies in the areas of film work, theatre, community arts, museum installation, television productions and window display.

    Festivals and Events

    Students have recently engaged in festivals and events, such as the Glastonbury Festival, Rio Carnival, WOMAD, Thames Festival, Hatton Garden Festival, and at Circus Space and the Roundhouse, and museum installations in the UK, Europe, United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

    TV & Film

    There have been opportunities to work in television and film on productions such as Doctor Who, Harry Hill, Thor, Snow White And The Huntsman and a range of children’s television productions. Students have also worked on store window displays including Fortnum and Mason, Harvey Nichols and Ted Baker.

    Many other opportunities come through the network of graduates already well placed in theatre, film and television, and contacts made with the professional designers that you will work with on public productions at Central.

  • Graduate Employment

    Graduate employment and career pathways include:

    Prop Makers

    • English National Opera
    • WOMAD
    • Barbican
    • Emergency Exit Arts
    • Birmingham Royal Ballet
    • Pinewood Studios
    • Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
    • Arcola Theatre
    • National Theatre
    • Watford Palace Theatre
    • Unicorn Theatre
    • Madame Tussauds
    • Warner Bros.
    • Boom Town Festival
    • Robert Allsopp and Associates
    • Royal Opera House
    • Shepperton Studios
    • Glyndebourne Festival Opera
    • The Imperial War Museum.
  • Notable Alumni

    Miles Ascough (2017) creates props for theatre, film and television, as well as undertaking corporate and private commissions. His recent clients include; the BBC, Warner Bros, Andrex, The Body Shop and Haig Whiskey. He also worked in the special effects team of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

    Eugenio Feito (2018) is Head of Design, and India Allin (2018) is Head of Props for The Magic of Things Ltd., creators of The Cauldron Magical Experience which has venues in London, Dublin, Edinburgh and New York.

    Ruby Matthews (2016) is now Lead Prop Maker for Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

    Charlotte Maudsley (2012) is Company Director of Props Unlimited.

    Simon Paraskevas (2014) works in special effects for television and film. His credits include; Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald; Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom; Dunkirk, and Disney’s live-action, Beauty and The Beast.

    Chloe Pitcher (2016) creates Props for a variety of different clients and companies, working across film, TV, advertising and retail window displays. Most recently she has worked with Harvey Nichols, Hackett, Fabricate & Pinewood.

    Bryony Tyrrell (2008) has previously been Prop Costume Maker on films such as; Thor: The Dark World; Snow White and the Huntsmen, and Disney’s live-action, Dumbo.

    Beth Widdecombe (2013) is part of the production window team for Harvey Nichols, creating and installing the window display for their store in London, and for their regional stores.

  • Recent Visiting Professionals

    Michael Taylor, Simon Kenny, Mike Bell, Darryl Worbey, Nic Webb, Laura Brooke, Mark Chapman, Ruari Murchison, Bob Bailey, Tracy Lilley, Simon Basketter, Ollie Cooper.

  • Entry Requirements and Admissions

    Minimum Entry Requirements

    Our standard academic entry requirements range between 120 and 64 UCAS tariff points. As part of meeting these tariff points, we consider a range of qualifications including A Levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can see how many tariff points your qualifications would gain on the UCAS Tariff Calculator. International qualifications and others not covered within the UCAS tariff can also be accepted. Please email us if you need further clarification.

    Please note that we make lower offers (including unconditional) to exceptional candidates and those who have alternative or prior experience to offer. All candidates invited to interview are asked to bring a portfolio. Interview and portfolio are key factors in determining which applicants are accepted on to the course.

    Admission with Academic Credit

    For information on alternative entry requirements please see www.ucas.com.

    Application Details

    See How to Apply section for Undergraduate courses.

    We particularly encourage applications from groups currently under-represented in higher education, such as students with disabilities and members of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. Find out more information on Central’s commitment to equality and diversity.

    Interviews

    Find out more about the interview process for this course.

    International Interviews

    Each year Central hosts a number of interviews outside of the UK, with a team of tutors from Central traveling to meet applicants. The international interviews are designed to replicate the London-based interview experience in every aspect (other than a tour of our site!). See our Event Finder for listings of upcoming interview locations and dates.

    International Students

    Visit the International Students section to view details of English language requirements for Central’s courses.

  • Tuition Fees, Bursaries and Scholarships

    Tuition Fees for 2024 Entry

    UK (Home) students: £9,250 per year*
    Overseas students: £25,200 per year

    Please note that there may be additional costs that you need to incur as part of the training for the course.

    Full information is available on the Tuition Fees and Additional Costs page.


    Bursaries and Scholarships

    Central offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. If you are holding an offer for a place on a course then you will be invited to apply for a bursary or scholarship.

    UK-based undergraduate students who are applying for a student maintenance loan and have a household income under £35,000 will automatically be awarded our Access to Central Bursary.

    *If you are a UK student but already hold a qualification at the equivalent or higher level to the one that you are applying for, then you may be classed as an ELQ student and be required to pay the same fee as an overseas student.

Student Feedback

“Prop Making taught me such a variety of skills and I was able to be involved in a range of projects. There is also a big emphasis on work experience. I feel these industry placements are invaluable as they allow you to work with professional companies and freelancers, which can then help you to obtain work once leaving Central.”

Ruby Matthews

Graduated 2016, recent credits include Assistant Prop Maker for Madama Butterfly and Glyndebourne Festival Opera and as Prop Maker for Five Guys Named Moe.

“The course provided me with a fantastic toolkit of making skills. More importantly, it allowed me to develop my ability to collaborate successfully with peers and professionals though live briefs and work experience. I have been able to put my newly-acquired ‘theory into practice’ and transition seamlessly into a steady stream of weird and wonderful opportunities.”

Miles Ascough

Graduated 2017, runs a prop making business offering services for theatre, film, TV which include, BBC, Spectrecom Films, Haig Whiskey and Warner Bros.

Staff On The Course

Kathrine Sandys is a scenographer, researcher and academic.

Dr Kathrine Sandys

Discover Uni Widget

Course Video

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