ART DIRECTOR IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION… (In the Entertainment industry. Art Director)

Interior Sketch / Photo Credit: Jean Vincent – Pinterest - Michael Haneke

ART DIRECTOR IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION… (In the Entertainment industry. Art Director)

Bruce Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.

Art Director in Motion Picture Production

Though art direction has been an integral part of the filmmaking process for more than 100 years, the craft is not well understood—even among those working in the industry. For many years, these artists and their contributions were underappreciated, but more recently, the skill and talent of these professionals have been better recognized through negotiation for prominently displayed credit and the inclusion of the category in popular award shows.

Art Directors act as project managers for the biggest department on any film - the art department. They facilitate the production designer's creative vision for all the locations and sets that eventually give the film its unique visual identity. Art Directors are responsible for the art department budget and schedule of work, and help the production designer to maximize the money allocated to the department. Art Directors are usually requested by the production designer, and are responsible for the assistant art director, the draughtsman* (as many as 20 draughtsman may be employed on big budget films), the art department assistant(s) and all construction personnel. As Art Directors must find practical solutions to creative problems while simultaneously monitoring the budget, this is highly skilled work. Many Art Directors work on television dramas and commercials, as well as on films. The hours are long and the job can involve long periods working away from home. Art Directors work on a freelance basis.

On big budget films, Art Directors start work up to 4 to 5 months before shooting begins (on low budget films 8 weeks may be sufficient). When the final schedule is delivered (detailing the precise order of scenes in which the film will be shot), Art Directors begin the work of overseeing the preparation of the first sets required. Art Directors analyze the script to identify all props or special items that may require longer lead times. Simultaneously, a team of draughts men draw up numerous plans for sets and locations for use by Art Directors when working with the construction managers and their team. This is an extremely busy, pressured time for every member of the art department; as well as coping with this pressure, Art Directors must also tightly control the budget (which is prepared and monitored on a spreadsheet).

On big productions, weekly meetings with the accountant are key to this process. A major part of Art Directors' work is troubleshooting - they must find cost effective solutions which also provide practical answers to construction and decorating problems. During pre-production, they are also responsible for commissioning all special effects (such as explosions or car crash sequences), hiring all vehicles (from cars to horse drawn carriages) and organizing the casting of all animals (chosen by the director). As the shooting date approaches, Art Directors liaise closely with the location manager to negotiate when locations can be prepared and dressed.

During filming, Art Directors continue to oversee the construction, dressing and striking (dismantling) of the remaining sets. After the film wraps (shooting is completed), Art Directors must ensure that all sets are struck and locations cleared, and that all outstanding art department bills are paid.

Duties

The art director is hired during pre-production and works under the supervision of the production designer to develop the look of the project, in accordance with the director’s vision. He or she is the head of the art department and is involved in every stage of art development. Upon taking a job, the art director reviews the script and meets with the director and senior production staff to discuss elements like setting and theme, and how those qualities can be communicated through scenery, set dressing, props, and costumes. Though the art director does not participate in the creation of costumes, the overall aesthetic of the production is established with input from the art director and production designer.

 With a general idea in mind, this person collaborates with the production designer and assistant art director to begin rough sketches and layouts of important art assets, such as sets or focal props. When those initial comps have been approved by the director, the art department then works with storyboard artists, concept artists, and set designers to create detailed examples of all necessary art elements, including construction plans for sets, examples of set dressing, etc. The art director will conduct hiring for all art department crew and oversee the comp process. Based on the approved designs, the art director will aid the production designer in establishing a budget for materials and labor, allocating those funds as necessary. Through the end of pre-production, the art director is involved with every area of art development, to include construction, set dressing, painting, location scouting, and special effects. This person may be asked to continue work on set during principal photography to ensure integrity of the design and can participate in the tasks of set dressing or setting props.

Skills & Education

The art director must possess a talent in multiple disciplines of fine art, as well as carpentry. A college degree in film and television production or theatrical design is recommended, and coursework should include the study of traditional drawing, painting, still photography, color theory, sculpting, and art history. Courses in computer drafting and basic architectural principals are also beneficial. Furthermore, the art director must be an effective leader that is capable of managing large crews across multiple locations. This necessitates an individual who is highly organized, able to adhere to strict deadlines, and adept at creative problem solving.

What to Expect

Art directors may work as freelance professionals or may be employed full-time with a production and scenic design company that caters to the film and television industry. Those who perform freelance work are often hired on the recommendation of the production designer and, therefore, have a strong professional relationship. The reputation of your work will be your best calling card toward future employment, and effective networking is the chief means of securing a gig. To reach this senior-level position, experience as an assistant art director is preferred, with prior history as a set dresser, scenic painter, concept artist, or other art department role. The Art Directors Guild, IATSE Local 800, represents art directors and is part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

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, Ken Adam: The Art of Production Design (Faber and Faber) by Christopher Frayling, Production Design and Art Direction (Focal Press) by Peter Ettedgui, By Design: Interviews with Film Production Designers (Greenwood Press) by Vincent LoBrutto, Film Architecture: From Metropolis to Blade Runner (Prestel Publishing Ltd). Edited by D. Neumann 2001, Filming the Future (Aurum Press Ltd) by Piers Bizony, The Invisible Art: The Legends of Movie Matt Painting (Chronicle Books) by M. Cotta Vaz and C. Barron

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Interior Sketch / Photo Credit: Jean Vincent – Pinterest - Michael Haneke