[Willkenny]

Hey guys and girls I'm a second year student at E15, on my props rotation and I'm doing a project on urban camouflage. I just wondered if there's any products that may help me recreate things such as drain covers and brick work other than the usual materials of plaster, idenden and artex.

Many thanks

This post has been edited by Just Some Bloke: 09 February 2012 - 03:27 PM
Reason for edit: Moderation: Typos fixed

[andy_s]

Vacform might be a good starting point.Try Peter Evans Studios for ideas. Also look at Flints catalogue for prop-making materials. Also Arts and Crafts suppliers, particularly for sculpture.
Another thing to research is thermoplastic foams.


However, this is just a starting point. Props makers and scenic artists will still be adding paint, plaster, idendum and artex for added realism...

[musht]

Not an answer but question reminded me of the Boyle family;

http://www.bing.com/...78FFB9F&first=0

[Willkenny]

thanks for the tips guys

[Jivemaster]

http://www.tiranti.co.uk/

Paint and plaster, resin and sculpture supplies -now what you make from it is your art.

[WiLL]

Something like a manhole hole cover I would be tempted for something stronger than vac-form which would buckle. I would take a cast from a manhole cover and create a plaster mould into which I would cast resin and fibre glass to create the prop, which weould then be painted.

[andy_s]

WiLL, on 09 February 2012 - 10:43 AM, said:

Something like a manhole hole cover I would be tempted for something stronger than vac-form which would buckle. I would take a cast from a manhole cover and create a plaster mould into which I would cast resin and fibre glass to create the prop, which weould then be painted.

Agreed, structural integrity would be important if it has to take any weight. However, if this is the case I'd suggest sourcing the real thing rather than making your own. (and I don't mean by going out into the street and nicking one!)

(edited for spelling etc)

This post has been edited by andy_s: 09 February 2012 - 01:46 PM

[paulears]

Moderation: TITLE FIXED

[Jivemaster]

One of my current favourite materials is Polyester Resin heavily loaded with sharp sand. If you make it with equal volumes of resin and sand it's hard and strong if you make it with twice as much sand as resin it's not so pourable.

The sand must be DRY but if you pour hot sand into resin it may cook off stinkily. However if the weather is cold then pouring hot resin may speed things along.

DO however remember that "props" are not meant to be a solid gold copy of the real thing! Sometimes a couple of brush strokes can tell an audience more than the real thing.

[andy_s]

Jivemaster, on 09 February 2012 - 03:33 PM, said:

DO however remember that "props" are not meant to be a solid gold copy of the real thing! Sometimes a couple of brush strokes can tell an audience more than the real thing.

I think there's room for debate on this. Sometimes there's room for "art" in props making, sometimes absolute realism is called for. Depends on the nature of the work. I can think of a fair few theatre designers who reject a "made" or "fake" prop, however realistic it is, in favour of the real item. I'm not saying I necessarily agree with this all the time, but it's their design, their aesthetic.

And indeed sometimes the decision is made for you in the light of the budget / time / staff available. For instance, to take the draincover as an example, if you can get one for fifty smackers or thereabouts, or spend a couple of days making one, then, with a production manager's hat on, I would probably go for the real thing and direct the staff skills / budget towards making something else on the props list that is less easy to find.

Anyway, I've strayed a little away from the new materials topic, apologies. And it's not meant to denigrate the skills or contribution to the show of props makers, either.

[Jivemaster]

No it's very relevant! Any prop must do the job on art, on budget, and on TIME. That will determing how much time and effort can be put into search and manufacture and materials.

[WiLL]

to the ops original question however, definately worth taking a look at Peter Evans Vacuum form plastics as far as brickwork is concerned. With a good lick of paint the stuff can fool audiences who are stood right next to it.

[the kid]

I like http://www.industrialplasters.com/ for casting kit. they have some great stuff at not too shabby prices.

[Richard the chandler]

Depends on how many you want to make really.


Possibly the best route to go down is to take a cast for a mould, if you want to do lots than a good silicon or gelflex mould is good. Jesmonite or a two part resin will soon see you churning out manhole covers to your hearts content. Fibreglass is often a bit old hat now and isn't very pleasant to work with anyway, I never did really like acetone...


You can make very strong 'hollow' casts of things like manhole covers using jesmonite and the fibreglass matting that are easily able to handle trucks and cast on them. We often demonstrate the technique by casting small sections of brick wall and then hitting it with a hammer...very hard.


Richard at flints.co.uk

This post has been edited by Richard the chandler: 10 February 2012 - 02:23 PM