prop maker
&
Illustrator
about
Sam Gingell is a prop maker and illustrator from south Devon. After obtaining a distinction in ‘art and design’ from the Plymouth College of Art Sam enrolled on the Bachelor of Arts Theatre Practice prop making corse at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Sam has experience both at the Royal Opera House and the National Theatre as well as work in window display and numerous freelance activity.
Sam is not only limited to props but is also a professional illustrator having dawn a cover for ‘Cut Away Comics’ and featured in the pages as a writer and interior artist of ‘Vworp Vworp’ Magazine. Sam also runs a successful etsy store where he sells his own print and art work.
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Home address; 6 Hillside Drive, Yealmpton, Plymouth PL8 2NT
samgingell@live.co.uk
07542 029446
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Education
September 2020 to June 2023
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
Bachelor of Arts Theatre practice: 2.1
Prop Making Projects and productions to date include;
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Making a 17th century Samurai helmet copied from museum exhibit to correct proportions.
Materials included card, hot glue, newspaper and paint.
Researched historical context and traditional fabrication techniques.
Skills included pattern making, lamination, papier-mâché and paint effects.
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Making prop party food items for a tableau inspired by BBC TV’s “Call the Midwife”.
Materials included latex, expanding foam, resin, plaster and Jesmonite.
Techniques and skills included design interpretation, sculpting, moulding, paint affects and castng.
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Making a replica of a 1950s American ‘gas pump’. The finished piece was designed to look neglected and corroded.
Materials were principally sustainable and included timber and cardboard.
Techniques and skills included model making, carpentry, texturing, distressing, painting and sign writing.
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Making an oversized garden gnome for a production of “London Road”.
Materials included steel, polystyrene, fibreglass and Jesmonite.
Techniques and skills included welding, fibreglassing and polly carving.
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Making a historically accurate gladiator helmet execrated from Pompeii.
Materials include, fibreglass, brass powder, laminating resin, thermo clay, wet clay and silicon.
Techniques and skills include, fibreglassing, mould making, silicon and plasterwork, and figurative sculpture.
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September 2018 to June 2020
Plymouth College of Art Pre-Degree Campus
Level 3 Extended Diploma in creative practice: Art and Design Awarded a Distinction
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Functional Maths Awarded a Pass
August 2018
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September 2013 to June 2018
Ivybridge Community College
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Work and Business
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Currently running an Etsy store, selling my graphic art. Six month turnover in excess of £3000.
November 2023 - Worked freelance with TR2 as a constructor and painter
October 2023 - Worked freelance with TR2 as a constructor and painter for the Westend play ‘Enfield haunting’.
October 2023 - Worked freelance with TR2 as a constructor and painter for the refurbishment of the ‘Madagascar’ musical.
May 2023 - Worked as a window display artists for the ‘Chelsea in Bloom’ competition at Beeoon store on kings road.
March 2023 - commissioned to design and make a ‘cyberman’ helmet based on Kit Pedler’s original vision.
January 2023 - work experience as a scenic artist in-house at ‘The National Theatre’.
December 2023 - cover artist for ‘cutaway comics’.
November 2023 - interior artist and writer for ‘vworp vworp’.
May 2022 - work experience as a prop maker at ‘the Royal Opera house’.
October 2021 – Commissioned by music and TV podcast “The Review of Death” to create a promotional poster.
March 2021 – Designed and developed a large mural celebrating diversity at ivy bridge Community college. Designs and submissions were made using Photoshop and Illustrator.
December 2019 – Designed and painted sets and scenery for a production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at my former school. Worked alongside professional theatre carpenter on the construction of the designs.
July 2017 – Worked for British Youth Music Theatre on making various props for projects at The Barbican Theatre in Plymouth.
June 2015 – Worked as crew for a local audio and lighting company – Blue Thunder Sound.
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