Oliver Watts

Designer & Prop Maker

http://oliverwattsuca.wix.com/-owattsuca

Statement

Throughout my time in education I have had a love for designing, whether it be the intricacies for an imaginary mechanism or the layout for scales on a mythical creature, being able to take an idea and translate it into a visual piece is something that thrills me as an artist. Throughout my time at University I have built up a large range of skills that allow me to then take these designs and turn them into tangible creations. For the most part I focus on creature/monster designs, whether they be from my own imagination or from other works of fiction, though I have also experimented with character and costume work. Going forward I look to join the creative industry in any way I can, whether it be as a designer or maker. The prospect of being able to earn a living doing what I love, is perhaps the most rewarding part of graduating from my University and I hope that in achieving a first I have proved to all that I have the skill, commitment and drive to achieve anything in this industry. 

Strengths

My strengths lie in traditional and modern design methods, as well as sculpting and casting. I have a keen eye when it comes to detailing and am driven to produce the best work I can regardless of the job at hand. I have experience of working in the Film industry and have met and worked with Tim Burton as well as a number of other incredibly talented individuals. Though I thrive working on my own, I am capable of working as part of a team, and I am good at responding to constructive criticism. I am incredibly hard working, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that my work is finished on time and to the highest possible standard.

Skills
- Adobe Photoshop

- Sculpting, moulding & casting 

- Drawing

- Scenic painting 

- Photo manipulation 

- Photography

Rebecca Dunnage

Set and Prop Designer and Maker

www.rebeccadunnage.co.uk
Statement
I have discovered a real love for set and prop designing and construction throughout my studies on ‘The Creative Arts for Theatre and Film’ at UCA Rochester. I have watched my work developed, all spanning from a mad love of hands on work, building large prop and set pieces, and seeing my designs and concepts manifest into finished, usable pieces. The rush of presenting a beautiful finished product, and seeing it in action, is something I will be ever addicted to, and will enjoy being part of every step of the way throughout my career within the theatre and film industry.

Strengths
I pride myself with the use of accuracy within my work, and have the ability to follow plans/measurements given, with the understanding of how important they are. I love including small details in my work that add to the believability of a piece, giving it more contextual understanding and depth. I enjoy working in teams and bouncing ideas back and forth, but have independence and leader ship skills to excel on my own. I have also learned how to adapt plans/materials to help fix issues if/as they arise.

Skills
- Woodwork/carpentry
- Adobe and Microsoft suit
- Metal work
- Molding and casting
- Machinery work
- Model making

Megan Krull

Theatre Designer and Maker

MeganKrull.co.uk

Statement
Throughout my time at UCA, I have learnt a lot of different skills involved with theatre and film, but I took a particular interest in the design elements involved in theatre, especially model making. When working on a project, I always try to push myself to create new and exciting pieces and learn new skills. Before my time on the course, I did a Fine Art Foundation degree, which I think has a lot of influence within my work. I have a particular enjoyment of contemporary arts, focusing on more modern and unusual styles and looking at how they can be incorporated into my projects. As an artist, I love to be experimental and try new things.

Strengths
I am a very creative person and it translates into my work, whether it is within design or making, I am always looking to push myself. I am constantly trying to expand my skill set and I am usually quick to learn them. I am a very versatile person and I can work well individually and within a team.

Skills
- Model Making
- Working to Scale
- Costume Making
- Theatre Designing
- Scenic Painting
- Basic Scenic Construction

Emily Durrant

Prop & Puppet Maker

EmilySDurrant.wix.com/portfolio

StatementI having been working in the creation of puppetry during my final year at UCA, with a particular focus on stage puppets. I have loved working with with a variety of puppetry styles including cable controlled puppetry. I focused on cable controlled puppetry in my final project "The Caterbird". During my time at university I have learnt a wide variety of skills that could be applied to both puppetry and prop creation.

Strengths
I feel that one of my key strengths is the ability to portray a sense of character through my work. I have found this to be especially prominent with my puppetry work.I feel that my hard working attitude and creative problem solving are other main strengths of mine.

Skills
- Sculpting
- Welding
- Creating texture
- Designing
- Working to a budget

Shona McAllister

Artist & Prop Maker

http://shonammcallister.com

Statement

For every project I pursue, I am never fully satisfied with the result. Striving for the impossible, I am committed, in a constant attempt to better myself and invent original concepts. My broad sense of imagination directs my motivation to examine potential designs. Over the years, I have focused my capabilities towards prop design and making, specifically fantasy sculpture. During my time at UCA, I have tried to familiarise myself with as many model techniques and tools as I can to help refine my talents and creative appetites; an endeavour I hope to follow throughout my career.

Skills 

- Moulding

- Resin, Silicone, Plaster 

- Sculpture

- Wood, Fibreglass, Clay, Latex, Metal, Card 

- Finishing- priming, painting, texturing, distressing 

- Computer design and illustration software e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Google Sketch-up 

-Confident use of workshop machinery

Ella Neal

Costume Designer & Maker

www.ellaneal.co.uk
Statement
I am a graduate who has specialised in costume design and making in the final year of my degree. Costume has always been a large interest of mine and I believe in this year I have learnt a vast amount of skills that I can confidently carry into the Industry. I have discovered that I have a love for colour and decorative detail when creating a piece, as I enjoy working with dyes and fabrics to form a colour palette that is bold but also compliments its setting. Alongside costume I have a continuous interest in Scenic Art that has followed on from my specialism of Fine Art on my Pre-Degree Course at UCA. I am fascinated by the tricks and skills that play with the audience’s perception and perspective of something two-dimensional into three-dimensional. I have experience in both areas of work as I attended a placement at Royal Opera House Scenic Art Department, and employment at Evolution Productions as a Scenic Artist. Previous to my employment with Evolution Productions I also attended a placement there in their Costume Department and have designed as well as made stage costumes for the Bromley Players Theatre group. 

Strengths 

I feel that my strengths lay in costume construction and embellishment as I work confidently and quickly from patterns and have a great eye for detail. However in scenic art I believe my strengths are in colour matching and faux finishes, as this is what I have most experience with whilst being a part of Evolution Productions. I believe that strengths of my personality are that I am hardworking, can make decisions easily and am sociable within work groups.

Skills
- Pattern Drafting 

- Costume Design and Construction 

- Fabric Dyeing Flats, cloths and objects 

- Faux Finishes 

- Textures 

- Scaling

Paul Calvo

Set & Prop Designer & Maker

www.creatinganddesigningthenew.com
Statement
With the creative world expanding and becoming an exciting part to be of, it is a pleasure to co-operate and do my part in bringing creativity to life. Through the work I design and create, bringing ideas to a reality is what captivates me about the industry. Whether it be individually or as part of a group, it is enjoyable to work towards creating the new. From my start in the arts in college, a fascination for physical objects for entertainment purposes grew to a goal which I set upon myself, to work towards making something unique, whatever it may be. Through my time in university studying the creative arts for theatre and film in Rochester, my goals were able to be put into practice which allowed me to work in completely new directions I did not think I would come across. From individual projects to group projects, uniqueness thrived in each of the works I was partaking in. And so, with my time at university coming to an end, I am looking forward to working in the industry to bring creativity to life. 

Strengths

Whatever project I have taken part in, I have been able to see, that whether it be working individually or as a group, creativity is never in short supply. With many different forms of inspiration existing around the world, uniqueness is something I strive towards and which I always have in my mind when working. If any issues or circumstances may arise that effects a project, I do my best to solve and look towards a solution for whatever may come, to be able to do as is required. 

Skills

- Set Design and Making 

- Prop design and Making 

- Ingenious designs 

- Computer model making designs including Google Sketchup