This course will teach crew members how to reproduce a prop gun using high-quality professional materials and film industry-specific skills. Course participants will get a primer in mold-making, learn to make a professional two-part mold out of tin silicon, and to cast the mold with urethane resin. Participants will also learn about other mold-making techniques and materials throughout the class.

Details

Language: English

Format: In-person

Length: 16 hours

Trainer

David Whatley & Simonette Berry, IATSE Local 478

Location: New Orleans, LA

Travel: National

A film industry veteran, Daide Whatley entered the industry in 2007, apprenticing as a sculptor under Anthony Henderson. He took to sculpture quickly and soon added plaster and mold-making to his skill base. He has been in leadership positions on multiple shows and shown his artwork in local galleries in New Orleans.  His skill set combination (sculpture, plaster, paint, mold-making, and carpentry) makes him uniquely qualified on a film set.​ He has created props for many films and sets for Southern Rep Theater, the New Orleans Opera, Fringe Festival, the Marigny Opera House Ballet, and other theatrical companies and events. He has built a reputation as a talented artist, a troubleshooter, and an expert craftsman. He is a graduate of the IA’s Officer’s Institute, IATSE TTF Train the Trainer, and many IA training sessions at past conventions. Dave plays an active part in Local 478; he was elected in 2017 as the Sergeant of Arms and is one of the leaders of the Flood and Disaster Response Team.

Simonette Berry, a classically trained artist who graduated from Tulane with a BA in Fine Art, has a long background in sculpting, painting, designing, and mold-making, working for her family’s fountain shop in the molding and casting division. She began working in the film industry in 2012 as a sculptor, mold-maker, and scenic artist, training under many industry veterans over the years to build her skills. She has created props for many films, as well as sets for Southern Rep Theater, the New Orleans Opera, Fringe Festival, the Marigny Opera House Ballet, and other theatrical companies and events. She is also a documentary producer, with a film about New Orleans history slated to premiere in 2021. Simonette is a graduate of the IA’s Officer Institute, Trustee Training, and IATSE TTF Train the Trainer. Simonette now serves as Assistant Business Agent and Chair of the Board of Trustees for IATSE Local 478, representing the film workers of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.