BA (Hons) Model Making & Visual FX graduate Connor Thompson received Orbital FX Technical Excellence Award 2025! This award is in recognition of the student who has consistently pushed the materials, techniques and themselves, for excellence in exploration, innovation and personal progression. In response to winning the award Connor said “I was delighted to learn that I had won the Technical Excellence Award.  This felt very unexpected, but it made me feel very proud that my work has been recognised. I would like to personally thank the staff at the Northern School of Art for their ongoing support, as well as my family.”

Connor from Rochdale, joined us from Hopwood Hall College where he studied performing arts and art and design. He said he “chose to study at the Northern School of Art because I have always been interested in creating props for TV and film. I found that the Model Making course best matched my interests in this area. Also, the teachers were fun and passionate about the course, which encouraged me to apply.”

Reflecting on his time here he commented “after studying at the Northern School of Arts for a few years, I have seen self-improvement in my professionalism and confidence. I have also seen improvement in my skills for the craft. I can now work at a high enough level to feel confident in progressing to industries that require the skills I have learned throughout the course.”

Connor’s final major project is entitled King Karkinos and is a model of “an oceanic-themed Kaiju action figure model based on classic Tokusatsu properties, such as Ultraman, Super Sentai, and Godzilla. In creating King Karkinos, I drew inspiration from that classic Godzilla monster, which was based on natural disasters and pollution. I manifested a Kaiju monster based on oceanic pollution and its impact on crustacean life. The goal for this model was to create a large-scale action mannequin that I can articulate in front of a green screen to make a short, animated film. By using a mixture of both practical skills, such as sculpting and mould making and digital skills such as 3D modelling and 3D printing, I have brought my monster to life.”

He commented the challenges in the project “were the scale of the monster, as it was initially intended to be a 6-foot costume; however, due to budgetary challenges, it was re-contextualised to become a 2-foot rod puppet with interchangeable limbs, with options to make it into an action manikin. This also allowed me to create the model within the set timescale, and the remodel was more suitable for transportation to the New Blades event. A previous project, made from latex, showed signs of deterioration within a year. For this project, a new material was selected to provide the flexibility for the model whilst also considering sustainability.”

He said “I have had many good memories, and my favourite time has been working with film students and being involved in the technical chaos behind the scenes to create a perfect outcome. I have enjoyed the social elements and meeting new people, especially those in both the industry and other courses. I lived in Hartlepool, and my favourite thing to do there was to go for walks along the beach, which was calming and helped clear my mind from the chaos of university.”

Connors ambitions are “to work in the TV and Film industry, utilising the craft I learned at the Northern School of Art to create props.” He recently attended New Blades event showcases graduate work to potential employers and fellow artisans.

When asked what his advice would be for new students he said “be passionate about their craft and be constantly aware of the reasons why they chose the course.”

Keep up to date with Connor’s Instagram: @arktos_creations

If you are interested in a career in model making look no further! Our BA (Hons) Model Making & Visual FX degree has been developed directly with our industry partners, who include visual effects artists, miniature effects designers and model makers. Students on this programme develop practical workshop techniques with digital skills to help them secure employment in the screen industries and beyond. Find out more here.