The practical skills you will learn on this course are relevant to a wide range of careers, including film and television prop making, puppet and character development for stop frame animation, animatronics and automata for exhibition, concept models for the games industry, model making and design for theatre, architectural model making, prototyping for industrial designers, interactive exhibition models and photographic props for advertising.
You will learn not only traditional technical skills, such as sculpting, mould making and model making but also digital skills, including digital scanning and 3D printing with industry-standard software and equipment.
Working alongside complementary programmes in the stage and screen faculty you will work on a number of collaborative projects. Enhancing productions through your creativity e.g making a miniature-model establishing shot, digital set extension or augmenting a practical prop with some visual flourishes. By the end of the three-year course, you will have produced a showreel and portfolio of models composited into VFX sequences and settings.
Year One - Foundation and Orientation
In your first year (Level 4), you will be introduced to the Processes, which modelmakers go through to produce research, concepts and final proposals. The modules are designed to introduce you to a wide range of 2D and 3D Traditional and digital techniques including perspective drawing, digital model making technical drawing, sculpting and card modelmaking which is leading to the development of the employable skills associated with modelmaking such as moulding and casting, 3D printing vacuum forming and traditional work shop techniques. This is supported by Industry awareness which explores the many avenues of employment which our undergraduates progress into.
• Visual Communication
• Core Workshop Skills
• Design Process
• Creative Thinking
• Industry Awareness
• Production 1
Year 2 - Development and Exploration
Your second year (Level 5) builds on the foundation explored in level 4, allowing you to develop more advanced, industry-standard skills pertinent to a range of creative industries. Here you will be creating moving props exploring motors and other control systems. Advanced materials such as silicones, composite Materials, plaster polymers such as Jesmonite are explored through advanced sculpting and mould making. This level includes collaboration throughout the faculty working alongside our Actors, Writers, Visual FX Artists, Technical Crew, Set Design and Costume Designers. In the second semester you will begin to explore your independent area of expertise which may also include digital techniques utilising 3D modelling, scanning and printing working with Industry standard software. During this stage, you are encouraged to seek relevant work experience or external collaborations when suitable opportunities arise.
• Action Props
• Transformative Techniques
• Creative Discussion
• Professional Practice
• Production 2
Year 3 - Consolidation and Expertise
In your final year (Level 6), you will consolidate your skills, experience, and creative identity as a key member of a creative team. Working on self-initiated projects, you will refine your skills and explore your future professional direction. This year provides the opportunity to realise your creative ambitions, demonstrate independence and originality, and prepares you for a successful transition into professional practice or further study.
• Specialist Practice 1
• Specialist Practice 2
• Professional Futures and Final Show
• Dissertation and Report
Year Four (Optional)
Optional Master of Arts. Develop your creativity even further with a postgraduate study year -
https://northernart.ac.uk/masters-degrees/ Industry Partners & Guest Speakers
• Aardman Academy
• Doug McCarthy, SFX Weaponry & Vehicles Specialist
• Simon Cox Independent Film Maker, Writer & Director
• Mark Cordory Costumes, Props & Puppets
• Bentley Advanced Materials Film Industry Suppliers
• Matt Grant
• Neill's Materials
• Orbital FX
We exhibit in places such as:
the annual Model Makers Recruitment Fair - New Blades Model Making Exhibition 2022, 2023 & 2024
Students have the opportunity to work with a range of companies on live briefs throughout the programme, including:
• Jackdaw (feature film)
• Lore (feature film), Sea and Sky Pictures
• Britannia (TV series), Sky Atlantic
• She Lives alon’ (BFI short film), Candle and Bell
• BC-FX Props
• S.B. Modelmakers
• Halloween Display, Preston Hall Museum
• 3D Posters, Regent Redcar Cinema
Our alumni have gone on to work at companies and on projects such as:
• Dorset Orthopaedic, Prosthetics Technician
• Zone Creations, Modelmaker/Fabricator
• Vera (TV series) Dressing Props
• E.P.H. Creative, Concept Developer
• SimpsonHaugh Architecture & Planning, Modelmaking Assistant
Your portfolio is a visual statement it says a lot about an applicant and their practice. The advice below is not meant to be restrictive but rather offers some simple advice to help you prepare for your interview.
Examples can include:
1. Knowledge of the subject you are applying for
2. 3D practical/digital models
3. Drawing skills
• Observational drawing
• Technical drawing and perspective drawing is beneficial but not essential
• Experimenting with different media
• Design sketches and illustrations
4. Sketchbooks
• Evidence your ideas generation, development and research
• References to artists and designers that have inspired/influenced your work
• You may have references to contemporary and historical practices
5. Experimental approaches to your projects
6. Examples of written work
7. Questions we may ask
• What TV shows, theatre productions and films are you excited about?
• What have you been to see or watched recently?
• Do you have any practical experience such as backstage work or working on festivals or events?