Prosthetics for Screen and Stage

Overview

The Prosthetics for Screen and Stage degree programme offers hands-on skills, industry insights, and the power to engage audiences, opening doors to a diverse career in film, TV, theatre, and other sectors within the entertainment industry.

Course Breakdown

• Year 1
  • Visual Culture and Context: This module underpins knowledge and understanding of industry developments to contextualise and inform your own practices.
  • Character Illustration and Design: In this module, you will be introduced to creating characters and conceptualising ideas for a specific cinematic genre.
  • Realistic Sculpture: This module will introduce you to using sculpture techniques with focus on proportion and anatomy of humans and animals.
  • Flatbed Moulding and Prosthetics Application Techniques: You will learn how to create high-quality flat moulds, which are essential for producing prosthetic appliances to fit a diverse and inclusive range of performers.
  • The Prosthetic Material Toolkit: This fundamental module is designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge and theoretical underpinning of a wide range of prosthetic materials and tools and their suitability for different prosthetic making applications.
  • Professional Image Construction: This module introduces you to the importance of professional presentation to meet employer and audience needs.
• Year 2
  • Mask Manufacture: You will build upon your design, sculpting, and painting skills introduced at level 4 to develop a fully finished character in the form of a wearable mask.
  • Contoured Moulding and Casting Skills: You will be introduced into creating moulds and casting prosthetic pieces to fit performers with seamless precision.
  • 3D Digital Sculpting: ZBrush is a digital sculpting software widely recognised and used in the entertainment industry.
  • Holistic Character Creation: Developing upon skills learnt in professional image construction at level 4, along with prosthetic design and manufacturing skills, you will design a prosthetic character to a set literary text and produce a holistic character which includes postiche and/or fur and hair additions.
  • Collaborative Practice: This module emphasises collaborative skills and interdisciplinary knowledge essential in the prosthetics industry sectors such as theatre, film, television, events, and simulations.
  • Entrepreneurial Skills, Industry Research and Ethics: Through a combination of theoretical insights, case studies, and research methodologies, you will develop a deep understanding of entrepreneurial mindsets, business modelling, marketing, and management strategies.
• Year 3
  • Sustainable and Resourceful Practice: This module will develop your critical understanding of professional, resourceful, and sustainable practice within the prosthetics workplace.
  • The Hybrid Technician: This module will advance upon 3D digital design skills at level 5 and will explore the combination and integration of traditional practical techniques such as sculpting and moulding with digital tools such as 3D scanning and printing.
  • Hyper-Realistic Simulation: As technology advances, the demand for hyper-realistic prosthetic technicians in the events and entertainment industries continues to rise.
  • Professional Creative Showcase: This module aims to develop your experience in events management through investigative research of creative events and event personnel.
  • Final Major Prosthetics Project: The Final Major Prosthetics Project (FMPP) module is a self-directed project, which requires you to define your own topic that builds upon the strengths of your previous work to achieve an outcome to increase employment opportunities within the industry.

Entry Requirements

• Prosthetics for Screen and Stage BA (Hons)
  • A-levels: an A-level grade profile of CCC, Including a C in Art and Design.
  • T-levels: a T-level graded pass in a related subject with a core component of grade C.
  • BTEC: a BTEC grade profile of MMM in a related subject area.
  • Tariff: other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry. A minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points will be required.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: 96 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at distinction in a related subject area.
  • GCSEs: GCSE/IGCSE maths grades 9-4/A*-C or equivalent.
• Prosthetics for Screen and Stage FdA
  • A-levels: An A-level grade profile of DD, including a D in Art and Design.
  • T-levels: A T-level graded Pass in a related subject with a core component profile less than C.
  • BTEC: A BTEC grade profile of PPP in a related subject area.
  • Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3) in a related subject area.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: 48 UCAS Tariff points in a related subject area.
  • Tariff: Other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry. A minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points will be required.
  • Non-tariff: Non-UCAS Tariff-based Level 3 qualifications are also considered for entry.
  • GCSEs: GCSE/IGCSE maths grades 9-4/A*-C or equivalent.

Key Information

• Teaching and Assessment
  • Teaching: The programme will be delivered using a variety of methods including theory lectures, demonstrations, practical activities, and reflective learning.
  • Assessment: You will be assessed by a range of methods to encourage the development of a portfolio of work showcasing technical and transferable skills.
• Timetable
  • We understand that you need to balance study with work, so wherever possible lessons will be timetabled into 2-3 days a week, although you may wish to attend independent workshops across the week.
• Tuition Fees for Home Students
  • If you are a home student enrolling on a bachelor's or foundation degree course at University College Birmingham, the 2024/2025 academic year tuition fee for full-time study is £9,250. For part-time study, the fee is £4,625.
• Tuition Fees for International Students
  • If you are an international student (or have been fee assessed as an international fee payer) and are enrolling on a full-time bachelor's degree course in 2024/2025, the fee for the academic year will be £14,000. If you complete a placement year, there will be an administration fee of £500 for a full year or £250 for a half-year placement.
• Uniform and Kit Costs
  • This course requires a uniform and kit costing approximately £500, depending on the items you purchase.
• Kick-Start Scheme
  • As a new student studying this course full-time, you will receive £300 per year through our Kick-Start Scheme (UK students only, eligibility criteria applies).

Career Opportunities

• Prosthetics Technician: Variable
• Artwork Technician: Average Salary: £28,500
• 3D Printing Engineer: Average Salary: £38,468
• Prosthetics Consultant: Average Salary: £40,000

Meet Your Lecturers

• Chelsey Mallett: Head of Department for Creative Industries
• Alexandra Massie: Senior Lecturer
• Michelle Beddall: Interim Senior Lecturer
• Sian Thornton: Senior Curriculum Leader
• Chloe Bee: Lecturer
• Dan Frye: Lecturer
• Hernam Najran: Lecturer in Hair, Make-up and Prosthetics
• Stacey Hall: Lecturer

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Prosthetics for Screen and Stage BA (Hons) / FdA

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Degree Overview:

This program prepares students for careers in the entertainment and media industry, specifically focusing on character and creature prosthetics design and application. It emphasizes the development of practical skills through hands-on training and utilization of industry-standard tools and technologies. The program aims to equip graduates with a diverse skillset to excel in various creative ventures within the field.

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Outline:

The program consists of a three-year curriculum for the BA (Hons) pathway and a two-year curriculum for the FdA pathway. Students will delve into various modules covering diverse aspects of prosthetics creation and application. These modules include:

• Year 1:
• Visual Culture and Context
• Character Illustration and Design
• Realistic Sculpture
• Flatbed Moulding and Prosthetics Application Techniques
• The Prosthetic Material Toolkit
• Professional Image Construction
• Year 2 (BA Hons only):
• Mask Manufacture
• Contoured Moulding and Casting Skills
• 3D Digital Sculpting
• Holistic Character Creation
• Collaborative Practice
• Entrepreneurial Skills, Industry Research and Ethics
• Year 3 (BA Hons only):
• Sustainable and Resourceful Practice
• The Hybrid Technician
• Hyper-Realistic Simulation
• Professional Creative Showcase
• Final Major Prosthetics Project

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Assessment:

The program employs various assessment methods to evaluate student learning. These include:

• Reflective journals
• Reports
• Practical skills exhibitions
• Collaborative projects
• Sculpture
• 2D and 3D digital designs
• Case studies
• Practical assessments
• Written exams

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Teaching:

The program utilizes a diverse range of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles. These methods include:

• Small group teaching
• Large group teaching
• Tutorials
• Practical workshops
• Guest lectures
• Industry simulations
• Independent study
The program also boasts a team of experienced and industry-connected faculty who provide guidance and support to students.

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Careers:

The program prepares graduates for diverse career paths within the entertainment and media industry, including:

• Prosthetics technician
• Artwork technician
• 3D printing engineer
• Prosthetics consultant
• Special effects artist
• Sculptor
• Makeup artist
• Character designer
• Biomedical technician
• Researcher

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Other:

The program offers students the opportunity to:

• Develop a strong portfolio of work
• Gain valuable industry experience through optional work placements
• Access state-of-the-art facilities and equipment
• Benefit from strong industry links and collaboration with leading specialists
• Engage in a dynamic and innovative learning environment

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A half-year tuition fee is £4,625. There will be no change to this tuition fee for the forthcoming two academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25).

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International students

If you are an international student enrolling on a full-time foundation degree or a BA/BSc in 2023/24, your fee for this academic year will be £13,500 per year. The course fee for academic year 2024/2025 is £14,000 per year. If you complete a placement year, there will be an administration fee of £500 for a full year or £250 for a half-year placement.

University College Birmingham

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Overview:

University College Birmingham (UCB) is a vibrant and welcoming institution located in the heart of Birmingham, England. It offers a diverse range of academic programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship, and college courses. UCB is known for its world-class facilities, which have been significantly enhanced through a £200 million investment.

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Services Offered:

The context does not provide specific details about the services offered to students.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

UCB boasts a supportive and friendly student community, where students can forge lifelong friendships and find a sense of belonging. The institution offers campus tours led by student ambassadors, who provide insights into student life and facilities.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class facilities:

UCB has invested heavily in its campuses, equipment, and resources, providing students with a high-quality learning environment.

University of Warwick accreditation:

Many of UCB's programs are accredited and awarded by the University of Warwick, a prestigious Russell Group university, ensuring high academic standards.

Location:

Situated in the heart of Birmingham, UCB offers students access to a thriving business environment, beautiful green spaces, vibrant nightlife, and a diverse cultural scene.

Student choice:

UCB is the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice, as recognized by the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024.

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Academic Programs:

UCB offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate:

A variety of undergraduate degree courses.

Postgraduate:

A selection of postgraduate degree courses.

Apprenticeships:

Higher level apprenticeships.

College:

College courses.

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Other: