NZ Diploma in Scenic Construction and Properties

Summary

Toi Whakaari Set & Props is a two-year practical course leading to The New Zealand Diploma in Scenic Construction & Properties. We are the school’s ‘makers’. We construct, sculpt, carve, mould, cast, paint, engineer, laser-cut and 3D-print. In recent years this has included constructing a full-scale spacecraft interior and a four-metre-tall moa. We work closely with Toi’s other departments, enabling the collaboration required to succeed in the stage and screen industries. We have a close relationship with leading industry practitioners, who work as guest tutors. They also provide work placements and mentor our students’ personal projects. Students graduate from this course with a wide range of skills. They can manage construction processes, work as part of a team and meet deadlines – as independent contractors or industry-ready employees.

Course Information

The diploma is an intensive, full?time two-year course for up to eight students a year. Students collaborate with designers, costumiers, actors, filmmakers and directors to create major stage and screen productions, with an emphasis on work from Aotearoa and the Pacific.

First-year students have four terms of craft skills classes.

Term 1: Carpentry, props making and painting.

Term 2: Sculpting, carving, moulding and casting

Term 3: Computer-aided design and manufacture, including laser cutters, CNC routers and 3D printers. 2D to 3D pattern-making techniques and fast prototyping projects with EVA foam.

Term 4: A major build for a theatre production. Advanced carpentry and welding.

Classes for first year students are interspersed with work on larger projects, such as building and painting sets and making props and scale models for film and theatre.

Second-year students choose lead production roles on school productions to develop their specialist areas of interest. They also select two industry internships with professionals.

These enable students to participate in a professional environment as well as build contacts for future employment.

A major focus of the second year is to create a ‘major work’. This is an independent research project that allows students to explore a specialist skill. Past examples have included camera-quality scale model miniatures, ‘hero’ prop swords, and an eco-friendly football table.

Career Pathways

Possible occupations that Sets & Props can enter include:

• Set or Scenic Carpenter
• Scenic Welder/Metal Fabricator
• Scenic Artist/Paint Special Effects
• Props Maker
• Scenic Sculptor
• Film Art Department – Offset and Stand-by
• Exhibition and Event Display
• Property Construction and Finishing
• Model Maker
• Soft Prop and Costume Prop Maker
• Visual Effects and Prosthetic Special Effects
• Puppet Maker
• Prototyping for Industrial Design