Do you have any advice for college students who aim to do props for a living? You seem to be living the prop makers' dream right now and I was just wondering if there was anything in particular that you would recommend other prop people do/try? Thanks! Love your blog <3
Alright so I have much advice for you dear (which is part of the reason it’s taken me so long to answer it, sorry my friend!). Also thank you so much!
Take as many classes to learn as many skills as you can
Art, Sculpture, Engineering, Wood working, etc.
If there is an opportunity to learn a new crafting skill TAKE IT I don’t care if you never think you’ll need to know glassblowing, JUST DO IT. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED BY WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW.
Also ask people to teach you new things outside of classes
You need to be able to budget, keep an up-to-date record of the status of all props in the show, organize your stock
Be able to search every inch of multiple shops for that bargain or one thing you might need for a show in quick succession
Learn to make friends with the thrift shop and antique people, you’re about to see them a lot (craft supply and lumber places too)
Start practicing how to make things
One of the best things a prop person can do in my opinion is getting a run down chair from a thrift shop and completely re-making it. New paint, new upholstery, fix all the cracks and problems, everything.
Become an excellent researcher
You will be looking up a lot of things, especially what a certain period prop would look like. Get good at navigating the internet.
Also get the Prop Building Guidebook by Eric Hart, seriously just buy it now. Also follow his blog Eric Hart’s Prop Agenda.
The ability to look at a handful of junk and create the prop you need out of it. You must get good at repurposing.
Lots of places may not be able to afford the “proper” materials to do things. So you’re going to have to figure out how to coat foam without foamcoat 75%-90% of the time. Every place has their own creative solution, it’s up to you to find the best one.
Seriously go do it. It gives you a vast variety of experience, it trains you to work hard and fast, and it exposes you to more people who probably know different skills then you do and so can teach you as a result.
At conventions (USITT, SETC, etc) if Tom Fiocchi from Ohio U is there, go talk to the man. Also go visit the SPAM (Society of Props Artisan Managers) booth and speak to them (sometimes Eric Hart is there).
Here’s the skills I find most used in props:
Crafting (Lots of hot glue and whatnot)
Sculpting (mostly styrofoam)
Sewing (So many curtains…)
Some metal work but not as much as you might think
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