Production Designer
The Production Designer is responsible for the entire Art Department. They play an important role in helping the Director to achieve the visual requirements of the film and they give the Producer carefully calculated schedules which suggest ways of making the film within the specified budget and time period. A huge amount of work and imagination from the Production Designer and Art Department goes into constructing the backdrop to any story and creating the sets.
Production Designers might be asked to review script before a Director is even approached. They read a screenplay to consider how they would bring the story to life visually. After breaking down the script, they discuss with the Director how to shoot the film and they decide to use indoor studio sets or locations, what visual style the film will have, whether there are certain design elements that may give an emotional or psychological depth to the film and when and where Special Effects and Visual Effects should be used. These discussions are followed by research during which the Production Designer source their ideas from things such as books, paintings, and other media
Production Designer requirements:
- Considerable artistic as well as technical drawing skills.
- An understanding of art history, architecture and world cultures.
- Good communication skills and the ability to inspire and motivate the team.
- The ability to conceptualise ideas, to think visually and be able to direct the Art Department to bring these ideas into tangible form.
- An understanding of the production process and technology of filmmaking, as the Production Designer must concern themselves with how sets and props will interact with the cast, as well as with lighting, special effects and roving cameras.
- Creativity and a vivid imagination to help shape the visual style of the film.
- A good sense of time and place with a methodical approach to work.
- The ability to see the broader picture and to co-ordinate effectively.
- A full and comprehensive understanding of film budgeting and scheduling
Art director
The Art Director acts as project manager for the Art Department and oversees the creation Production Designer’s creative vision into blueprints and eventually the construction of the final film sets, either in the studio or on location.
The Art Director is also responsible for the budget of the art department and their work schedule, allowing the Production Designer to maximise the money allocated to the department. Art Directors are usually appointed by the Production Designer and their team consists of Assistant Art Directors, Draughtsmen, Art Department Assistants, Graphic Designers, Storyboard Artists, Model-makers and the Construction Crew. On smaller scale productions the roles of Production Designer and Art Director are often given to one person.
The Art Director’s starts work early in the Pre-Production stages, working closely with the Production Designer, analysing the script so that the Art Department can produce the blueprints which the Art Director and the Construction Manager use to assess the level of crew and materials needed to construct and dressing of the various sets – this information is vital for the Art Department budget which the Producer and his team need to work out the overall budget they need to raise for the production.
Art Director requirements:
- To be a fully qualified designer and draughtsman with a talent in multiple disciplines of art combined with a good eye for decoration and detail.
- The ability to conceptualise ideas, to think visually and be able to direct the Art Department to bring these ideas into tangible form.
- An understanding of the concept of color theory and composition, as well as techniques of camera framing.
- An understanding of the production process and technology of filmmaking as the Art Department must concern themselves with how sets and props will interact with the cast, as well as with lighting, special effects and roving cameras.
- Creativity and a vivid imagination to help shape the visual style of the film.
- A good sense of time and place with a methodical approach to work.
- The ability to lead a large team with the correct amount of discipline and diplomacy.
- The ability to see the broader picture and to co-ordinate effectively.
- A full and comprehensive understanding of film budgeting and scheduling.
- A sensitive and diplomatic manner when working with Performers and Crew
Assistant Art Director
At the start of pre-production, the Assistant Art Director works closely with the Art Director and Production Designer on the preliminary designs. Once the Director has approved the concepts, they will assist in hiring the Art Department team to complete working drawings, detailed sketches and layouts which will be used in set construction. If locations are to be used, they carry out technical recces, providing the Supervising Art Director with any relevant information for the Production Designer. During construction the Assistant Art Director will monitor the process and work on each subsequent set up to the first few weeks of shooting when their work usually comes to an end. During filming, some more experienced Assistant Art Directors may work on the studio floor as Standby Art Directors. The Assistant Art Director’s responsibilities vary according to the size of the production. On smaller films, they help the Art Director with a wide range of jobs including Art Department research, accessing props, surveying locations, model making and helping to produce blueprints. Big budget films may involve designing and building many complicated sets, both in the studio and on location, so a number of Art Directors may be employed, all working on their own sets throughout pre-production and production, with their own team of Assistants.
Assistant Art Director requirements:
- A good all round knowledge of interior design and architecture as well as a practical understanding of building and construction.
- The ability to conceptualise ideas, to think visually and be able to direct the Art Department to bring these ideas into tangible form.
- An understanding of the concept of color theory and composition, as well as techniques of camera framing.
- An understanding of the production process and technology of filmmaking in order to understand how sets and props will interact with the cast, as well as with lighting, special effects and roving cameras.
- Creativity and a vivid imagination to help shape the visual style of the film.
- A good sense of time and place with a methodical approach to work.
- The ability to see the broader picture and to co-ordinate effectively.
- A full and comprehensive understanding of film budgeting and scheduling.
- A sensitive and diplomatic manner when working with Performers and Crew
Draughtsmen
To become a Draughtsman you will already have been an Art Department Assistant and a Junior Draughtsman, where you will have assisted in all drawing tasks on several productions, eventually becoming a fully-trained Draughtsman. Some Draughtsmen will even become a Production Designer or Art Director, many prefer to stay in the Draughtsman role and concentrate on perfecting their skills so that they become expert and much sought-after practitioners.
Draughtsmen must requirements:
- To be already qualified in technical drawing skills and be fully conversant with the related computer software (CAD or similar).
- Expertise knowledge of all building materials and construction techniques.
- The ability to visualize perspective and 3-dimensional space combined with a good understanding of the needs of the Director and the Director of Photography in terms of light and camera angles etc.
- A good knowledge of historical and global architecture, as well as period details and techniques.
- The ability to visually interpret other peoples’ ideas combined with the ability to work quickly and instantly respond to changes.
- Initiative, awareness and imagination. This is a creative career and as you progress through the Art Department, you will need all these qualities.
- The ability to work easily as part of the Art Department team and the extended Film Crew
Art Department Assistant
The job demands a mix of imagination, practical and technical skills and the ability to organise yourself and co-ordinate tricky tasks.
Working as an Assistant is the first step in progressing through the Art Department. The position gives you the opportunity to get experience and learn on the job, by practising the drawing and model making skills which all Draughtsmen and Art Directors need. There is tough competition and it can prove difficult to get this job – but researching forthcoming productions and contacting Art Directors may provide an opening. Good Assistants often progress quickly to become Junior Draughtsmen.
Art Department Assistant requirements:
- To be already qualified in technical drawing skills and be fully conversant with the related computer software (CAD or similar).
- Expertise on all building materials and construction techniques.
- The ability to visualize perspective and 3-dimensional space combined with a good understanding of the needs of the Director and the Director of Photography in terms of light and camera angles etc.
- A good knowledge of historical and global architecture, as well as period details and techniques.
- The ability to visually interpret other peoples’ ideas combined with the ability to work quickly and instantly respond to changes.
- Initiative, awareness and imagination. This is a creative career and as you progress through the Art Department, you will need all these qualities.
- The ability to work easily as part of the Art Department team and the extended Film Crew
Art Department Trainee
Working as an Assistant provides the opportunity to learn on the job, by practising the drawing and model making skills which are vital for all Draughtsmen and Art Directors. Good Assistants often progress quickly through the ranks to become Junior Draughtsmen and continue up the grades.
Art Department Trainee requirements:
- Strong freehand drawing skills as well as an interest and ability in architecture and technical drawing. Although Computer Aided Design (CAD) is used it is essential that anyone wanting a career in the Art Department should be able to produce a hand-draughted plan or a scale model.
- A keen interest in design, the history of architecture as well as a love of cinema is essential. Each project will require research as attention to detail is paramount.
- To be able to understand complex drawings, specifications and technical literature in order to fully comprehend the Art Director and Production Designer’s instructions.
- Initi1ative, awareness and imagination
