Film Set Design for Beginners
The ABCs for movie set design
Lyle Wheeler was the film set designer for "Gone with the Wind"--the red sky you see when Atlanta burns?--that's thanks to him. Film set design for beginners cannot turn you into Lyle Wheeler but it provides a broad, basic overview of film set design and basic set designer info. Wheeler began his career working for magazines and later transitioned to set design. Today, production set design is taught at colleges and universities.A film set designer works for the art director, whose ideas for the movie set are brought to fruition by the set designer. Designers use space, math and construction skills. Some designers begin by studying architecture. Most set designers know programs such as CAD.
1. Movie production design needs to be cost and time efficient.
2. Studying interior design will teach you how to use space.
3. Film set design companies employ designers, art directors, set dressers, lighting technicians, as well as carpenters, painters and others.
Get advice on production set design
There is nothing like experience to learn how to do something. However, it doesn't hurt to read up on something before trying it out.
Try: The Princeton Review's Day in the Life of a Set Designer gives you the scope of what the job is like on a day-to-day basis. The Joys of Sets: Set Design gives you tips on set design jargon and advice such as not using the color red and other practical info.
Find out your prospects for working as a film set designer
Another way of looking at set design is to check out the prospects for jobs in TV set design and motion picture. Consider the kind of education you will need.
Try: The US Department of Labor gives statistics on jobs in the motion picture industry--including set design. A look at the courses you need to take to complete NYU's Tisch design program should also give you a perspective on set design for a career.
Check out production set design companies
For a better understanding of this profession, take a look at some companies or individuals that are employed for set design.
Try: Curtis Eliot Designs works with film production, news programs, museums and trade shows. Its website is entirely visual. Look at the film work done by this company as a movie set designer. Patricia Lua's website shows before and after photos of her film set designing projects, giving a good example of what a set designer does.
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