Assistant Art Director Job Description

© Copyright 1995 by Greg Papalia

 Do not duplicate, publish or distribute with out express written consent.

THE ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

Job Description: It is understood that the Asst. Art Director is frequently an Art Director in training and that the Art Director is responsible for all of the below and more. This is taken into account not so much by description but by the depth of experience implied by the 4 to 5 year time frame mentioned in category #1.

1. 4 to 5 years experience in Film or Television set design. (Not necessarily as a set designer.) It is expected that the Asst. Art Director will bring to the experience described below at least 4 years of familiarity and hands on practical experience.

2. Knowledge and experience working with Film or Television construction crew: coordinator, foreman, painters, plasterers, greens, metal shop, sign shop, staff shop, mechanical efx., and grips. A proven ability to take a project from conception to finished product on one’s own by interfacing with the above departments.

3. A good eye and sense of design. Creativity and imagination when doing research.

4. Know1edge and proven ability to quickly hunt down materials both common and unusual. Ability to make recommendations, verify availability, place orders and follow through.

5. Complete knowledge of period hardware. Familiarity not only with style appropriate to a given period but with how the selected hardware operates and is installed. Experience in dealing with the construction crew’s specific problems related to installation. Knowledge of all sources both inside and outside the studio facilities.

6. An understanding of design, construction and set dressing schedules as applied to Film or Television prep.

7. Experience with the shooting company, knowledge of what everybody does and how to get something done using the people on the company.

8. Experience with and knowledge of photographic and painted backings. The conditions under which they are used and how they are produced. Also the requirements of the Cinematographer, Set lighting and Grips. (Both rigging and on set grips.)

9. Some understanding of camera and set lighting. Complete proficiency in the lay-out and use of camera angles for 1:33, 1:85 and 2:35 film formats.

10. Experience with finding and using stock units. Familiarity with various studio and independent scene docks and prop houses.

11. Knowledge, understanding and experience with visual effects. Exposure to a variety of visual effects problems and their solutions. An understanding of the appropriate application of Blue Screen, Foreground Miniatures, Forced Perspective, Rear Screen Projection, Gimbled Sets and Computer Generated Effects.

12. Proactive personality, sense of humor, detail oriented, flexibility, appreciation for chain of command and a good sense of how the overall Production operates from the Producers on down.

13. The Asst. Art Director is the third in command after the Production Designer and Art Director. The Asst. Art Director is frequently left on his/her own to handle problems or situations that are of great importance to the Art Department and the overall film. Given the above statement, an Asst. Art Director that possesses all of the previously mentioned attributes is the best possible individual for that position. The skills brought to the job will have a direct effect upon the productivity and effectiveness of the Art Department and ultimately will effect the budget of the department as well.  In addition, the position and responsibilities of the Asst. Art Director should not be underestimated or taken lightly.  While the Asst. Art Director does work in concert with both the Art Director and Production Designer, there are moments on every project where he Asst. Art Director’s judgment and experience will have a direct effect upon the forward movement of the project and a very direct effect upon the ability to shoot on any given day.