THE PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Production Designer Job Description

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THE PRODUCTION DESIGNER

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Production Designer is one of the four key creative individuals involved in the planning, execution and overall shaping of a given story. Beyond the creative efforts of the Writers and Actors, the contributions made by the Director, Production Designer, Cinematographer and Film Editor are what ultimately bring life to a script, creating a tangible finished product. Truly all other professions dedicated to the making of a film or television show function in one way or another in support of these four individuals.

Of these four positions, the Production Designer is the only one that must have a complete working knowledge of each individual craft in order to successfully carry out his or her own. In addition to the needs of the Director, the Production Designer must also take into account the requirements of virtually every department, craft, production or business entity involved in a project. Without a doubt the responsibilities and skills of the Production Designer touch upon and effect nearly every facet of a film or television show.

The skills required to “Design” a project and raise it above the level of straight forward Art Direction are remarkably varied and complex. The function of the Art Director (see The Art Director) is primarily management/design oriented, while the job of the Production Designer places a greater emphasis upon the design process and a lesser emphasis upon the detailed management of the day to day activities of the Art Department as a whole.

Described below are the experience and responsibilities necessary in order to effectively assume the position of Production Designer. Please be aware that in addition to the information, one must also read through the job descriptions of both the Art Director and Assistant Art Director, in order to gain a complete picture of the varied technical and creative challenges faced by the Production Designer.

1. Experience:

4 to 5 years experience in Film or Television Set Design (not necessarily as a Set Designer), 2 to 3 years experience as an Assistant Art Director and at least 2 additional years experience as a full Art Director. It is expected that a Production Designer will bring to the categories listed below at least 10 years of practical theatrical design and management experience.

2. Creative Responsibilities:

As the Designer of a film or television project the Production Designer is responsible for the cohesive “look” of virtually every physical element that appears on screen. The areas most commonly effected and controlled by the Production Designer are as follows:

A. The architectural design and finished look of all stage sets and their accompanying set dressing.

B. The selection, adaptation and alteration of all locations.

C. The design of all specially made vehicles, boats and aircraft. (Whether real or computer generated). This includes the full range of concept vehicles from primitive horse drawn carts to sophisticated space craft and everything in between.

D. The preliminary selection of existing specialty hand props as well as the design of all fabricated props. It should be noted that the Production Designer is ultimately responsible for the overall look of any significant props or weapons, working in concert with the Prop Master to achieve the desired results.

E. The Production Designer is responsible for working closely with the Costume Designer to insure that the color, style and design of the wardrobe and costumes properly relate to the sets and the overall visual concept for the production.

F. The color and tone of every element in the film. This includes coordinating the design of the sets with the Cinematographer and Set Lighting Dept. In order to create the appropriate mood for the story.

G. The look of all graphic elements within the film including signs of all types, posters, logos and on screen computer graphics and animations.

H. The design of all Matte shots including the graphic elements within the matte as well as the angle and composition of the shot itself. The Production Designer is also responsible for guiding the look of any visual effect that may have a bearing on any part of the design of the overall film. The same applies to practical effects as carried out by the Special Effects Department.

I. As a creative department head, it is expected that the Production Designer will be responsible for contributing to and conceiving significant and lasting visual images. This process begins with concept sketches and color renderings of the sets, and important dramatic moments or “key frames” in the film. In the conceptual and planning phase this process also includes designing and story boarding the action as it unfolds throughout the film. Once an action sequence or visual effect is agreed upon, it is then the Production Designer and Art Director’s responsibility to guide all other departments through the steps necessary to achieve the desired result. It should be noted that the Production Designer often winds up in the position of “go between” when bridging the gap between the Real World and that of the Computer Generated.

J. Probably the most important duty of the Production Designer is his or her commitment to the Director. In truth when a director hires a Production Designer he or she is hiring a creative, visual partner. As a partner to the director, it is the Production Designer’s responsibility to involve him/herself in every aspect of the project at hand. A firm understanding of the Director’s point of view and vision for the finished film is imperative to the successful design of the project. To create a designed environment mutually acceptable to both individuals, the Production Designer must be involved to a greater or lesser degree with the following aspects of the project:

1. Story development and concept.

2. Casting

3. Wardrobe and Props.

4. The development and follow through of Visual and Practical Effects.

5. Scouting and Selection of Locations.

6. Picture vehicles of every type.

7. Set lighting and Cinematography.

8. Requirements of Sound Technicians.

9. Techniques and requirements in respect to stage rigging.

10. The development and follow through of on camera action and stunts.

11. The needs of the film editor as the film progresses through Principal and Post production photography.

12. The specific requirements of the studio and production company as they relate to the shooting schedule and budget of the project.

3. Management Responsibilities:

As a department head the Production Designer functions not only as a creative individual but also as a manager. The individuals directly under the command of the Production Designer are the Art Directors; Assistant Art Directors; Set Designers; Illustrators and Storyboard Artists as well

as the full Art Department staff. He or She, along with the Art Director, is responsible for the hiring, work output and cost maintenance of these individuals. In addition to the direct Art Department personnel, the Production Designer is also responsible for the hiring and work output of both the Set Decorator and Construction Coordinator, as well as their respective departments. It should be noted that the Production Designer rests as the ultimate authority and responsible party in respect to the Art Department, Set Construction and Set Decoration budgets.

Beyond the individuals mentioned above, the Production Designer is traditionally consulted in the hiring of the Cinematographer, Costume Designer, Special Effects Coordinator, Prop Master, and Location Manager.

In general, the Production Designer is seen by the Producers and the Studio as part of an overall management team. A team whose job it is to deliver in a timely and cost efficient manner, the finished film or television show. Given this point of view, the Production Designer inhabits a unique creative/management position that only a few individuals on any given production have the opportunity to share.

4. Skills and Technical Experience:

As stated above, the Production Designer must have a broad range of skills and technical experience in order to successfully create a look and environment for a given story. In terms of the core skills and experience one must bring to the design of a project, the description of the Art Director’s job is but a beginning. la addition to those skills, the Production Designer must be a consummate manager capable of fluidly shifting from the demands of art and design to the very different requirements generated by business and commerce. He or she must possess the ability and technical expertise necessary to design virtually anything. Given the time constraints typical to most productions, the Production Designer’s proficiency in design must often be far greater than that of a designer, in a similar or related field. Coupled with the designer’s artistic ability, he or she must also have a specific and detailed working knowledge of the skills required to perform every other visual job within a film or television show. This kind of unique experience is integral to the success of any design conceived for theatrical purposes.