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Senior Model Maker

Experienced UK prop/model maker who can lead a small team or own a complex make from brief through finish, including drawings and digital fab files when required.

Duties

• Own complex makes end-to-end to design and deadline
• Lead a small team on a set of props when asked
• Read and produce working drawings; prep CNC/3D print files as needed
• Fabricate across wood, plastics, metal, foam, leather and mixed media
• Uphold workshop H&S and machine competence
• Liaise Art, Props, Graphics and Set Dec on finishes and fittings
• Mentor Mid/Junior makers; support material ordering
• Deliver to paint / standby with notes and spare parts

Reports to

Supervising Model Maker / HOD Model Maker

Works with

Model Makers, Juniors, Sculptor, Mould Maker, Paint Finisher, Mechanical, Digital Fab, Art/Props

Career path

Model Maker → Senior Model Maker → Supervising Model Maker → HOD Model Maker

Day to day

Take brief and refs; plan process; build/sculpt/assemble; problem-solve tolerances for camera and action; hand to mould/paint or finish yourself; document spares.

Call times

Workshop-led: model unit often starts earlier than general unit call for build days. Standby Model Makers match unit call when covering shoot. Overnight cures, paint and last-minute hero makes before shoot days are common — always read the workshop schedule against the call sheet.

What to wear

Workshop PPE: steel toe-caps or production-approved boots; eye/ear protection; gloves suited to task (nitrile for resins, heat-resistant where needed); dust mask / respirator for sanding, spray and chemicals; apron or workshop blacks; hard hat / hi-vis if yard or stage rules require. Clean blacks when delivering to set.

Tools & kit

Comprehensive personal hand tools (measuring, cutting, filing, clamping); PPE; specialty tools for your lane; laptop if preparing CAD/CAM.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap, kit/machine fee and workshop location on the deal memo. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk / Props Branch Prop Modelling and Prop Painters cards. On smaller shows Model Making may sit under Props as Prop Modelling; larger features often list Model Making as its own department.

Software

• Rhino / SolidWorks / Fusion 360 / SketchUp (CAD for makes)
• ZBrush / Blender for sculpt refs and digital masters
• Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator for paint maps and graphics on makes
• Excel / Google Sheets schedules, materials and budgets
• PDF drawings / Bluebeam / art dept packs
• PureRef / Milanote moodboards and refs
• Slicer / CAM software for 3D print and CNC (PrusaSlicer, Cura, Fusion CAM)
• Shared call sheets (StudioBinder / Yamdu / PDF)
• ChatGPT for materials research drafts (HOD / Supervising verify H&S and SDS)

Related roles

Supervising Model Maker, Model Maker, Sculptor (Model Unit), Mould Maker

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