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The production designer is responsible for the visual design of the settings where the screenplay will exist. After meeting with the producer and director to determine their goals and get a feel for their expectations, the designer devises an appropriate concept within budgetary parameters. The designer presents sketches and/or models of his proposed design to the producer and director, and once i…
The production designer is responsible for the visual design of the settings where action will be filmed. Production designer Ernest Roth spends time researching concepts and discussing them with his illustrator, who puts on paper what Roth visualizes in his head. The illustrator begins by making rough sketches, gradually revising and refining them until they accurately depict what Roth envisions.…
“I facilitate the designer's vision,” says art director David Lazan. “I'm in charge of managing the art department, [including] budgets and crew—when it comes to set designers, graphic designers, illustrators; communicating with the construction coordinator; going over budgets, schedules, what we need to do both in sets and location; and meet…
Working under the direction of the production designer or art director, the set designer creates working drawings of assigned sets or props. “It may be as simple as measuring an existing location and having it drawn up, then turned into a model for studying, or sketching sets from scratch to be constructed on a soundstage,” says set designer Todd Chernawsky Set designers must possess…
Working under the direction of the production designer and/or art director, the art department coordinator manages the department office. The coordinator is responsible for tracking the department's budget; negotiating usage and obtaining legal clearances for products and artwork appearing on screen; researching products, periods, and other information; ordering samples and other materials;…
Swing gang members, under the direction of the lead man, are responsible for moving furniture, accessories, pictures, props, and various objects used for set decorations, on and off the set. Swing crew members must be physically able to lift and carry furniture and other heavy objects. They should be willing to take direction and have the ability to get along with people of varied personalities an…
The on set dresser maintains the integrity of the set for the set dressing and property departments. If a cup is moved or a piece of furniture is rearranged, the on set dresser is responsible for putting them back in their original places to maintain the continuity of the shot. Often, the on set dresser will take Polaroids or digital pictures to aid in this process. On set dressers must be physica…
The prop master is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all portable objects used in the production, such as a book, dish, glass of water, or a desktop computer. Prop master Rick Toone points out there are added responsibilities for prop masters working in commercials. “If there is cereal in the cupboards, you set the cereal box so the brand name is seen. Whatever the product is, you…
The prop assistant, under the direction of the prop master, is in charge of all props used throughout the production. Some productions may designate an outside props person to purchase props, and an inside props person to oversee their placement, use, and maintenance on set. “On a feature, it is very clear what your rank and file is,” says prop person Jason Ivey, “but on a com…
Working under the direction of the producer, director, or production designer, the storyboard artist illustrates a sequence of scenes to help everyone involved in the production grasp the same visual image. The storyboard artist may also be called upon to sketch the production designer's ideas for various sets and locations. “A storyboard is very similar to drawing a comic strip or b…
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