Thread: Planning vs Doing

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Hey guys, just wanted to see how everyone prepares for their props. When making a new prop do you have more success from meticulously planning it out before you cut a single piece of PVC? Or do you like to just jump in with a basic idea, maybe a picture drawn on a Denny's napkin? Personally I have a little more success just doing it. First off, if I have a great plan drawn sometimes I get more disappointed if it doesnt turn out just like my drawing. But, if you have no plans you only have your brain to go off of. Some cons to the blow n go method is you can run off budget real quick. If you dont have a parts list like you would in a good plan, its easy to buy unneccesary items that you may not even use. Lemme hear what you guys do, what works, what doesnt.

I think it depends on the prop you're making. Is it a proven design (by you or someone else) or is it uncharted territory? When I did my FLG, it was a variation of the FCG, so I designed out a plan, ordered parts, and was ready to go. With the Creature From the Black Lagoon project, I only had general ideas of what I was doing, and there was a lot of trial and error (and trips to Home Depot). If I had tried to plan out the Creature, he would have been done for less cost, but he wouldn't have turned out as nice as he did.

I'm very much into barging ahead and implementing.
Obviously there is some planning thought of, in general terms, but nothing written down formally.
Depending on the prop, I'll gather required parts and just start building, sculpting etc.
There are mistakes and things learned along the way, but that's part of the fun IMO.

I generally just start building when I get an idea. I usually spend more & make lots o trips to the supply store because I forget something or realize I needed something when I get back. I did build my FCG from the kickthefog plans but everything else is just trial and error.

I want to build a MIAB & would use plans if I could find a descent set somewhere but I just can't seem to find a good set of plans...

I think i site needs to be generated with prop plans... i know theres haunt project but like actual plans with dimensions and drawings and parts lists... then you can just search up what your looking for... no constant youtube searching or thread bumping!

I will usually sketch out an idea on paper and then start building. I usually have a good idea of how to pull it off, but I don't meticulously illustrate exactly how to do it or what I need to make it right, it seems multiple trips to the hardware store are inevitable...

I agree with bruzilla. If I'm copying a design, I pretty much stick to thier plans. If I'm making my own I follow the Paul Jr. school of design and have a "general" picture in my head of the end result and just go with the flow.

When experimenting with something new & complex, I'll definitely plan it out, and sometimes build it on a smaller scale before committing to a full scale version. Other times, I'll just go with the flow. It really depends on how full blown the idea that pops into my mind is. If there are questions as to whether or not it will work, then the former is how I roll. If it's someone else's design that I'm building...no thought process needed. Just put it on autopilot & go.

This is really interesting guys. Much like I thought would happen we have people on both sides of this debate. Obviously, If you gonna do a FCG or three axis skull, you should really get a solid plan, parts list, and execute. But, when you do any foam work, pallet coffins, etc half the fun is getting your circular saw a handful of screws and when the dust settles step back you might be surprised what you came up with. I'm really liking this thread.

The challenge with a lot of the props we make is we're blazing new paths and doing something that's never been before, with things that were never intended or designed to be used that way. Aside from the skin, the biggest hurdle I had with the Creature was doping out how to make mannequin arms that were designed to mount and hang down into articulated arms that could be positioned. Seemed like a pretty straight forward operation until I went to execute it and plans A, B, and C all went down in flames.

I see a lot of Plan D strings and posts on this forum, so I know I'm not the only one who's seen A, B, and C not end up the way we thought they would.