Role Of a Production Designer

Role Of a Production Designer

1. A production designers job is to be the hand of the director, meaning its their job to put their written script into a visual image all while directing a team and following a strict budget, without tainting the ideas of the director. After reading the script there are hours upon hours of research you need to do on the sets- time period- costumes / props of that time, locations- London setting will need landmarks / icons of London  Once research is done and locations have been found, sets need to be designed and Okay-ed by the director- only then can set be built or changed once the research is completed and the director is happy with each step.
For example- a production designer on the Harry Potter movies' research would differ to say Star Wars, as the films are based off books. They would need to consistently refer to the books and make sure the authors vision, as well as the director were happy. All research would need to be linked to the books to bring everything to life in JK Rowling's eyes.

2. The production designer needs to lead their own team, often involving set dressers, coordernators, buyers, set dresses, costume designers etc. But they also need to work with the location department and their clients while changing things in a practical location and must be constantly referring back with the director to make sure their vision is being presented properly.

3. The process of production design was described as- "Interior Decorating sped up" as they constantly need to work quickly, building and destroying sets surrounded the time constraints, directors vision and the budget. For example if an actor is ill and they have the set made for their scene, but its possible to film a different scene that day instead, everything will need to be changed quickly. The budget can effect what the design team can use for resources, meaning they made need to build sets and look for props by skip hunting. The job also involves multi tasking, meaning if the job is too stressful, its not an easy profession.
For example- A film like The Black Crystal doesn't have any existing sets (Exterior sets) so each set would need to be made in house quickly and taken down quickly too in order to accomplish the production process quickly.

4. The production designers in the video gave a whole host of options for getting into the industry and the skills required. Two recommended experience in theatre as building a set on stage and on set can be very similar, especially for 3D movies. A key skill is social skills as well as leadership skills as you're constantly referring to other departments and leading a team, all while trying to keep the director happy with your work. Any aspect of film making can help you get into the industry and its recommended to be an intern to a production designer, as shadowing one can show you new skills and they can give you contacts, opening doors for you. One woman in the video recommended some knowledge of art history for historical films and shows, and also interior decorating; even taking up production courses and work shops.

Additional notes from video:

• read and script and absorb. Visualises the directors image.
• given script and budget- uses it to best of ability to make the vision reality.
• pratical location and change / build it from scratch
• fit the restraints of the budgets
• accuracy is key- you need a team 
• hours of researching
• interior decorating speeded up
• constraints changes the shooting after the first week- whole set being changed
• 8-10 weeks average film
• designing costumes, building sets for low budget films 
• skip hunting for props
• theatre background
• multi tasking without getting stressed
• social skills- getting on with clients and team
• location department works with you 
• experience needed- any field of film making
• read a story and visualise it
• train in art history and interior design and production courses
• internships with set decorators, shadowing a pro to learn more
• be respectful of the story- listen to the director and control the budget.