Best/Worst Prop Contest
The Best/Worst Prop contest is a silly, hands-on prop building “contest” for attendees to participate in.
Admittedly, I saw the idea at a convention I attended (though I cannot remember which one) and nabbed the idea to host one at a convention I was guesting at. I adjusted the idea it to fit the time and space constraints of this event and my fellow cosplay guests helped provide materials and hosted it with me.
The general concept of this “contest” was for contestants to build the best (or a bad, but funny) rendition of a prop using only scrap materials. We gave them free reign to create whatever they wanted, but did provide a list of ideas for those who felt the analysis-paralysis of a timed contest set in. Participants had 40 minutes to create their props (we had a 1 hour slot in the panel room and needed time for prep and “judging” to choose the best/worst prop).
We provided tools glue sticks, tape (duct tape, packing tape, scotch tape, etc.), and non-fabric scissors. The rest of the fabrication materials we provided were all scrap and “trash” – it included things such as…
- Cardboard pieces, construction paper, recycled boxes (like cereal boxes, frozen pizza boxes, etc.)
- Scrap fabric, ribbon, twine, string, yarn
- EVA foam scraps
- Markers and crayons, ink pens, masking tape, scotch tape
The winners of the Best/Worst Prop Contest took home some silly trophies that we had 3D printed. Be prepared to be amazed at what folks build (seriously. We had one group build a 1:1 Warhammer Chainsword and another make a working hidden blade bracer. All from cardboard and other trash…)
This panel was a blast to run and I hope to do it again in the future. If you want to run this panel yourself, I highly encourage it. Feel free to download and use/modify my “rules” sheet and slide show for your own best/worst prop contest!