Tapping Into Punished Props With Bill And Britt Doran

Bill and Britt Doran – From a workshop in Seattle to conventions around the world, Bill Doran has showcased and taught millions how to create props from materials that can be found in a hardware store. Bill and Brittany Doran are doing what some can only dream of with their company Punished Props. As a positive voice in the comic and video game industry, they continue to bring people together through the power of creativity.

Where it all began…

Bill’s love for creating props began in 2009 at PAX West, exposing himself to his first taste of cosplay, where fans dress up as their favorite fictional characters. He has an art background and has worked several jobs bartending, teaching, and held a position at Microsoft for some time. In 2012, he quit and started his own company, which we know as Punished Props today. Brittany is highly experienced in 3D modeling and animation, and she joined Bill full-time in 2015. Together, their perseverance and commitment to prop making has taken them down a road to success.

Giving back

From playing World of Warcraft in a college dorm room to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Bill is inspiring and empowering people to pursue their passion. Trading a position at an established company for EVA foam and filming tutorials was the best decision. Creating beautiful replicas is rewarding, however learning business was the biggest obstacle Bill had to overcome. What started as a commission based company quickly changed gears to a fabrication tutorial business because of the difference in body measurements per person and the large distance between him and his clients. By devoting more time to instructional content, he became a pillar in the cosplay community.

A growing success

With an audience demanding to see things built on screen, Punished Props became a key resource for costume creators. Their YouTube has over 100k loyal subscribers eagerly awaiting videos on how he creates props like the Skyrim helmet, Han Solo blaster, and a 3D printed batarang. They built up momentum over the years and are committed to their fans and schedule. The comments section is flooded with positivity, inspiring them to create a new video every week. Hungry and curious, fans rush to their Twitch channel, watching his tutorials live from their computer screens every Monday.

It is no surprise that requests to build specific items are sent their way on a daily basis. Although Bill cannot create everything, he encourages his viewers to try it themselves. His interactions with fans show extraordinary dedication to his craft and relationships built over the years. When approached with a request, his usual response is, “I can show you how to make it.” With two books under his belt, Bill has established credibility in the prop making scene. Unlike many in creative industries, Punished Props has become allies with other prop makers such as Volpin Props, Kamui Cosplay, and WM Armory. The support from fans and friends enabled Punished Props to grow into what it is today.

Where can you find them Bill and Brittany?

If you want to meet Punished Props in person, look out for them at some of their favorite conventions. Catch Bill and Brittany at BlizzCon in November, or if you’re on the East Coast, Dragoncon, the largest multi-media pop culture convention in the country. Bill was recently invited to TwitchCon 2016, where he was a judge for the costume contest. Bill and Brittany will be wearing their latest work at any of the events they attend. Be amazed by the precision and accuracy in the details of each piece. If you are unable to make it, follow their progress on their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Not only will you see meticulously crafted tutorials, but also their interaction with various other prop makers like Volpin Props for this space gun on Kickstarter.

Bill hopes to continue inspiring the community to create things that would otherwise only exist virtually. The couple hopes to continue doing what they love but on a bigger scale in the near future. Growing fast, they’ll soon need a larger studio for building props and filming content for their channels. Continuing to inspire and empower others, Punished Props forges a path for prop makers, cosplayers, and gamers around the world.