From Concept to Camera: Bespoke Prop & Display Stand Fabrication for Films and Shows 🛠️🎬

Behind every powerful on-screen image lies a team of creatives turning bold ideas into tangible reality. In film and television, it's not just about what’s imagined—but about how it’s made. That’s where South Coast Metal Fabrication comes in.

We specialise in turning early-stage creative concepts into camera-ready props and display structures that are as functional as they are visually striking. Whether you’re working on a commercial, period drama, fantasy feature, or music video, we offer a full-service fabrication process—from the earliest sketches right through to final delivery on set.

What “Concept to Camera” Means for Production Designers

Time is tight. Budgets are precise. Visual demands are high. We understand the production pressures you’re under—and we’re built to support them.

Our “concept to camera” approach is a streamlined process designed to support art departments, prop teams, and set decorators with:

✅ Early design input to problem-solve tricky builds

✅ 3D CAD and visualisation support

✅ Material guidance and structural solutions

✅ Expert fabrication in-house by skilled craftspeople

✅ Camera-conscious finishes and hidden fixings

✅ Delivery on time, to spec, and stress-free

We’re not just fabricators—we’re collaborators.

Step 1: Creative Consultation & Briefing 🎨

Every successful project starts with a clear creative conversation. Whether you come to us with a hand-drawn sketch, a design deck, or a fully detailed CAD model, we’ll listen closely and ask the right questions.

We’ll discuss:

• The narrative purpose of the prop or stand

• Required size, weight, and material behaviour

• On-camera visibility, movement, or lighting

• Transport and rigging needs

• Finish requirements (aged, glossy, matte, powder-coated, etc.)

  
  

Step 2: Design Support & Modelling 📐

We can provide technical drawings, 3D renders, and fabrication-ready files in-house, making us the ideal partner for productions that need fast, accurate turnarounds. Our Design and 3D Modelling services allow for:

• Clear internal team sign-off

• Smoother communication between departments

• Risk reduction before materials are ordered or cut

• Accurate visualisation of proportions and finishes

  
  

Step 3: Expert Metal Fabrication 🔧

All metalwork is produced in our Brighton workshop using high-quality tools and processes, including cutting, folding, welding, and surface finishing. We’re comfortable working with:

• Mild steel – ideal for props and painted finishes

• Stainless steel – perfect for brushed or polished looks

• Aluminium – lightweight but strong for mobile or elevated props

We take pride in clean welds, crisp edges, and finishes that look flawless under studio lighting or close-up lenses.

Step 4: Camera-Ready Finishes 🎞️

From vintage patinas to ultra-clean powder coating, we offer surface treatments tailored to your production style. We understand how metal behaves under different lighting conditions and can work with your DOP or production designer to ensure props photograph beautifully.

Need something distressed, rusted, or aged? We can collaborate with scenic artists or handle treatments in-house, depending on the project.

Step 5: Delivery or On-Site Install 🚚

We’ll coordinate delivery to your studio, location, or workshop, and can offer assembly, install, or handling guidance if required. Whether it’s a delicate frame that needs protection or a robust structure for on-set interaction, we make sure it arrives intact and ready to shoot.

What We Build: Examples from Set

Some of the custom film and TV work we’ve delivered includes:

🎭 Freestanding display stands for artwork, artefacts, and signage

🧰 Functional props like railings, gates, brackets, or hand tools

🎨 Scenic elements for stylised environments—museum sets, retail interiors, gallery backdrops

🪄 Period or sci-fi fixtures designed to match specific eras or genres

🎡 Mechanical or moving components designed for reliability under pressure

Every project is different. We treat each with the same level of care and curiosity.

Trusted by Creatives Who Care About the Details

Our clients include:

• Production designers

• Set decorators

• Prop masters

• Scenic artists

• Exhibition designers

• Commercial stylists

We’re particularly proud to support art-led and story-driven productions, where craft and detail make all the difference.

Why South Coast Metal Fabrication?

🛠️ Experienced across the creative industries

📍 Brighton-based, serving the South East and UK-wide⏱️ Efficient lead times and responsive communication

📐 Design and build under one roof

🎥 Camera-conscious finishing and attention to detail

We’re used to tight deadlines, evolving briefs, and the need to think on our feet. If you’re a creative professional looking for a reliable, skilled, and collaborative metalwork partner, we’re here to help.

Let’s Bring Your Vision to Life—From Concept to Camera

Every shoot is a chance to create something unforgettable. Let us help you build the props and display structures that make your production stand out.

📩 Get in touch today to talk about your next brief.Or email: info@southcoastmetalfabrication.com