The Modularity project aims to incorporate a system of modular props that can be implemented into practical effects to maximise design efficiency and reduce waste within the industry. Modular-oriented design can create components and modules that allow designers to quickly swap pieces to align it with a director’s needs. These modules can be independently manufactured, repaired, modified, replaced and exchanged between props. But most importantly, they are reusable. 

The project also seeks to explore how the rigs and jigs of practical effects can be designed for disassembly. How they can be extracted at the end of their time and reconstituted into new life, without ever hitting the landfill. Practical effects in film can require hundreds of props, designing and fabricating both require time, resources and production costs. These props have very limited flexibility, resulting in single use and much wasted material. A large film set is reported to produce up to 225 tons of waste [MoviePropRentals, 2022]. This excessively wasted material could be reused and reinvigorated to create new things. 

Modular methodology enhances flexibility, customisation and re-usability for practical effects. By reusing the modules that make up the foundation of our set pieces, we can mitigate the amount of props entering the waste cycle and keep them out of landfill.