WHAT DOES A PRODUCTION DESIGNER DO? (In the Entertainment industry. What Does A What does a Production Designer Do?)

 Production Design / Photo Credit: Stan Winston School - YouTube

WHAT DOES A PRODUCTION DESIGNER DO? (In the Entertainment industry. What Does A What does a Production Designer Do?)     

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What Does A Production Designer Do?

Production Designers are major heads of department on film crews, and are responsible for the entire art department.

The production designer collaborates with the director and the cinematographer to establish the look of a film or television production. Every story is intended to leave the audience with a particular emotion, and the design of the set and scenery is just as vital in that mission as an actor’s portrayal of a character and the music that plays under the images on screen.

They are responsible for the visual concept of a film, television or theatre production. They identify a design style for sets, locations, graphics, props, lighting, camera angles and costumes, while working closely with the director and producer. They help Directors to define and achieve the look and feel of a film.

Filming locations may range from a Victorian parlor, to a late-night café, to the interior of an alien space ship. The look of a set or location is vital in drawing the audience into the story and making a film convincing. A great deal of work and imagination goes into constructing the backdrop to any story and choosing or building locations and/or sets.

Production Designers begin work at the very early stages of pre-production. They may be asked to look at scripts to provide spending estimates before a Director is even approached. On first reading a screenplay, they assess the visual qualities that will help to create atmosphere and bring the story to life.

After preparing a careful breakdown of the script they meet with the Director to discuss how best to shoot the film and work out whether to use sets and/or locations, what should be built and what should be adapted and whether there is a visual theme that recurs throughout the film.

They also consider whether there are design elements that may give more depth to the film and whether CGI (computer generated imagery) should be used.

Designers must calculate the budgets and decide how the money and effort will be spent. Then there’s an intense period of research during which they and their Specialist Researchers source ideas from books, photographs, paintings, the internet, etc.

Production Designers deliver their design sketches (showing mood, atmosphere, lighting, composition, color and texture) to Art Directors who oversee the production of technical drawings and models, which are used by the Construction Department to build the sets and adapt locations. Props Buyers and Set Decorators source props and organize the manufacture of specialist items.

As the start of shooting approaches, Production Designers manage lots of people, prioritize the work schedule and carefully monitor the budget. When shooting starts, they are usually up early each morning to view each new set with the Director, Director of Photography and Standby Art Director, answering any requests or queries.

Later on in the art department office, Production Designers check on the construction and dressing of other sets, and sign off on sets/locations for the next day's shoot.

Although Production Designers usually finish work on the last day of principal photography, on larger films they may be involved for longer periods. Production Designers work on a freelance basis.

They may have to prepare detailed drawings and specifications in order to pitch for work on a number of productions before being offered work on one of them. Although the work can be very demanding and the hours long, this is one of the most highly-skilled, creatively fulfilling roles within the film industry.

Duties

In the preproduction stage the production designer produces a portfolio of sketches and models that serve to illustrate his or her vision for each set and location. These are a guide for the location scout, set decorator, props master, construction crew, scenics, and greensmen. This person will outline a color palette, period, textures, and tone for all of these artists to reference when pulling together the aesthetic of a movie or TV show. Working closely with the producer, the production designer narrows down a list of shooting locations for the approval of the director and also participates in setting the production’s budget. He or she may also be given the authority to select his or her own art director, set designer, and other art department heads.

During principal photography, the production designer is a coordinator who is charged with maintaining the overall aesthetic vision. This person influences decisions on lighting, wardrobe, hair and make-up, and special effects. He or she is also involved in post-production, advising the artists to ensure that computer-generated material matches and maintains the physical photography’s look and feel.

Skills & Education

A successful production designer will be artistically talented, resourceful, and an untamed dreamer—imagination is a prerequisite, and the ability to make dreams tangible is a requirement. A college degree is not required, but an education in film and television production, theater, or fine art is preferred. The production designer should have considerable skills in drawing and painting; sculpting and computer modeling are also helpful to presenting your vision. You should understand color theory and lighting, and how these elements affect photography. Courses in art history, architecture, and world cultures are also useful, as the production designer is tasked sometimes with creating realistic representations of ancient societies, sometimes with imagining vast foreign lands.

What to Expect

There is a great deal of artistic freedom in this job, but that freedom is constrained to the extent that the director and producer will let you roam. A production designer who can cooperate effectively, compromise when necessary, and show respect for the ideas and input of others will be go far. Film and television production is a business of collaboration—if you can’t play nice, you won’t work. Production designers can expand their careers to work in theater, concert production, theme parks, and other live entertainment. Extensive experience as an art director and assistant art director can lead to advancement to the role of production designer. To pave your path to this gig, take any job you can get in the art department of a student film, independent project, or theatrical play, then take focused steps to move up the ladder. IATSE Local 800 represents production designers and other related artists.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures,

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 Production Design / Photo Credit: Stan Winston School - YouTube