When you build your own props or have them custom built for you, you are getting close to exactly what you want! I started building my own magic props simply because what I wanted didn’t exist, and when I was younger, I couldn’t afford to hire someone to make them for me.
Here are three things that I use all the time:
- Sewing Machine
- Basic Tools
- 3D Printing
Let’s start with a sewing machine. You don’t need to be able to make a wedding dress, just a basic stitch will take you a long way! The prop bin below was something that I altered to make a custom size and shape with a basic stitch on my sewing machine.
The second thing on the list is knowing how to use basic tools. When I was in high school, I took wood and metal shop, and that gave me a basic understanding of how to use things like a drill, saw, etc. You don’t need to be an old world master craftsman, but being able to screw two things together is super helpful!
With some basic tools, I was able to convert this old RC Cola box into a prop case that I’ve used for two tours!
Now for the third one, which is 3D printing. This is a game changer; you can make things exactly how you want them, and fairly easily. I never learned to do any computer designing in school, so this was something that was intimidating until I tried it. There are a lot of different styles of software to use, and the way my brain works, using something like TinkerCAD works well. It does have limitations, and I really should learn a more advanced software, but for now it does everything I need.
With 3D printing, I’ve created many props, things that I couldn’t create out of a piece of wood and some screws. If you don’t have a 3D printer, many public libraries have them, and you can usually use them for free!
One of the easiest ways to get started prop building is to take something that already exists and alter it. Is there a prop you have, but it has something small you don’t like about it? Figure out how to improve it! Altering a prop is a lot easier than creating something from scratch!
Another way to get into prop building is to acquire a broken prop and fix it. That will also teach you a lot about how it was made and why the maker made the choices they did in its construction. The nice thing about finding a broken magic prop is that they are cheap!
Being confident in repairing props comes in handy if you perform on the road. Sometimes something will break and you’ll need to try to fix it with an improved tool. Knowing the normal tool to use, helps you make a makeshift one. Being familiar with different types of glue is also handy, like the difference between a super glue, an epoxy, and something like rubber cement. They all are good for different things.
Start keeping a notebook of ideas and sketches of things you can build. Not everything will be within your skill set, but if you keep writing your ideas down, you’ll come up with something you can build!
The more you try to build props, the more you’ll learn. I learn more from my failures than successes. Now is a great time to learn to build props with tutorials for using just about any tool available on YouTube.
Go out there and bring an idea to life!
-Louie