Evilboy[501st] Posted June 29, 2012 Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 Hello all! I am at a crossroads in my life, and I am thinking about changing my career/path in life. I have received praise on the Mandalorian Mercs boards and elsewhere for some of my custom work, and since I am out of work and with no decent prospects, I am considering getting in to the prop making biz. I know i will not get rich, but I could get back to contributing to my family's bills...I like to think I know my skills, abilities, and (many) weaknesses. I learn best by doing, and what I need to learn is mold making as I have ideas for some Star Wars/custom helmets, weapons and props but no hands on experience/knowledge with making molds or using silicone rubber etc. If anyone on here that is close to the Eastern U.S. (I live in Northern Virginia) does this or can recommend someone that does, I would be very grateful for the opportunity to shadow them for a day or two just to get the hands on time I need to do it myself. Thank you all! Jonathan "Evilboy" Wolk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locitus[Admin] Posted June 29, 2012 Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 There are tonnes of videos on youtube about mould making and casting. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK_LEPER Posted June 29, 2012 Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 Smoothon.com has a lot of tutorials Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonnenschein Posted June 29, 2012 Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 You might also check therpf.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK bondservnt[501st] Posted June 29, 2012 Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 smooth-on has lot's of great examples. brush on mold, 2 part molds, mold boxes and materials. casting is not easy, it generates heat, some types of materials require a vac chamber, to remove air, and it's expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilboy[501st] Posted June 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 I have watched tons of vids, and I think I have the concepts...but I learn best by doing. The problem here is if i dive in then trial and error can get expensive. I would think that a short "apprenticeship" would work better for me...I am ready to make an investment in this, but I don't (and Can't) burn money on the learning curve... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyInWhite[TK] Posted June 29, 2012 Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 (edited) Find a local prop-shop and volunteer for a month? Everywhere movies are made (which is everywhere) there are often prop shops (and other suppliers of film equipment). My husband did that for almost a year after college (vacuum forming, too!) though he is no help to me whatsoever. Also there are both tutorials and not-too-expensive trial-size-portions of tons of stuff - foam, resin, life-casting, algenates, etc. - at http://www.reynoldsam.com/ Edited June 29, 2012 by LadyInWhite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilboy[501st] Posted July 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2012 Unfortunately, there are no "prop shops" per se in the Washington D.C. area that I could locate... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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