Technical Arts for Theatre and Screen

BA Technical Arts for Theatre and Screen at Wimbledon College of Arts teaches you how to make life-sized props, animatronics and prosthetics for film, theatre and the wider entertainment industry. The course introduces you to a wide range of processes, techniques and practices within this field.

The course covers 4 key areas:

• concept and design

• materials used within the field

• design fabrication and assembly

• interactive and applied technical arts practices

You will experiment with a range of techniques used within the industry. This will enable you to develop suitable prototypes and be able to select the most effective way of realising a variety of design ideas.

To inform practical work, you will also look at creative research theories, and address, where relevant, themes of social, racial and environmental concerns that may influence your studio practice. These will include a scenographic approach to understanding objects in the contexts of environments and audiences. You will expand your knowledge of industry practices and be able to place your own ideas and practice within a wider field of performance making. This will be complimented by trips to professional technical arts-based production studios within the field of entertainment.

During the course you will be able to define and refine your specialist area of interest so that you finish with creative technical practice.

What to expect

• Expert staff: Learn from a team of highly experienced professional practitioners

• Industry practices: An introduction to a range of unique and specialist skills, technical knowledge and understanding

• Specialist areas: You will encounter work within mechatronics, electronics and animatronics

• New techniques: Use traditional and digital techniques including sculpting, moulding, casting, painting and finishing, SFX make up and prosthetics, and 3D printing

• Experimentation: Test out your concepts within staging and scenographic contexts and design

• Innovative ideas: Develop your conceptual, creative and critical thinking within the context of creative practice

• Collaboration: Work with students from other design and performance courses and with industry professionals

• Networking: Visits to industry studios and workshops

• Creative facilities: Have access to Wimbledon's shared workshops

Work experience and opportunities
Work placements are a key feature during the second year of this course, providing essential links for students’ graduate careers within industry and beyond. Students may have the opportunity to visit London television and film studios, scenic workshops, prop houses, makers and suppliers.

About Wimbledon College of Arts

Wimbledon College of Arts is dedicated to the study of stage and screen performance. The College has a long tradition of providing world class teaching in technical arts for theatre, film and television. Wimbledon College of Arts has well established industry links. These include 2 of the United Kingdom's leading theatres: the National and the Lyric.

We believe in a non-hierarchical and inclusive approach to performance. That means we see all elements as equal partners. Whether it be acting, directing, writing or designing.

Collaborative performance is a key part of the experience at Wimbledon. We design many of our course projects with that in mind. Students often work in teams to produce theatre, performance and other live events. This reflects working practices within the industry.

Our facilities include specialist workshops, studios and an on-site professional theatre. In 2023 we completed a multimillion-pound investment programme to transform Wimbledon College of Arts into a world-leading centre for performance. These improvements will enable us to nurture performance talent of the future.

We want to develop your creativity, technical ability and professionalism. It is these qualities that enable many of our graduates to go on to have successful careers.