Production+Designer

=**Production Designer by Kimberly Bartsch.**= Production designer is a term used in the film industry and television to refer to the person responsible for the overall look of a filmed event such as films, music videos, TV programs or adverts.

Role In The Production Process.
The role of the production designer is a difficult one. The production designer is the first to translate the script into visual form. He/she makes the series of storyboards that serve as the film's first draft. A storyboard is a sequence of watercolours, paintings and sketches arranged on panels to show the visual progression of the story from one scene to another. The production designer often provides important suggestions about the composition of the individual shots and determines the palette of colours to be used. Storyboards act as the director's visual guide throughout the production. The film's art director carries out the movie's/film's artistic vision as defined by the production designer. The art director is in charge of the draftsmen who design the sets and the construction manager who physically builds the sets. They also work with the set directors and prop masters to make sure all of the elements mesh. See the connection between the two? The production designer is the responsible for the entire Art Department, they may be asked to look at the scripts before a director is approached, they provide estimates of the projected Art Department spent on films and when they first read a screenplay, they asses visual qualities that will help bring the story to life.

**Training Requirements.**
Production Designers are usually graduates of Architecture, Art, Theatre, 3D Design or Interior courses. Subsequently they usually complete a specialist course in Film and/or Theatre Design. Some key skills include: -knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures; -tact and diplomacy; -good communication and presentation skills; -ability to prioritise and to meet deadlines; -excellent management and leadership skills; -ability to inspire and motivate a team towards a common aesthetic goal; -excellent visual awareness and design skills. Production Designers must have expert knowledge of many art and design related subjects including technical drawing, draughtsmanship, colour theory, architecture,lighting, building and construction, history of design, interior design, cameras and lenses, etc. They must also have full knowledge of computer budgeting software and computer aided design programmes (CADS). Production Designers, being the head of the largest department on a film crew, must have extensive experience gained over a number of years, usually by progressing through the various Art Department roles: Junior Draughtsman, Draughtsman, Assistant Art Director, Art Director. They may also have experience of working in theatre, where they learn the art of set design and construction as well as how to conceptualise ideas and create a sense of drama through visual spectacle.

**O H and S Requirements.**
Production Designers need to be aware of and manage the following risks: • Physical hazards, like glare or reflections from screens; hot components of photocopiers; poorly designed chairs that do not provide the user with adequate back support; poorly designed jobs and tasks that demand prolonged work in a fixed posture. • Psychological hazards, like the need to perform excessive workloads under pressure, lack of satisfaction from a job where there is inadequate recognition of work performed or repetitive work and insufficient task variety. • Electrical hazards such as damaged electrical cords or overloaded power points that may lead to the risk of electric shock. • Mechanical hazards, such as filing cabinets that tend to tip when heavily laden top drawers are open; tripping hazards. • Chemical hazards, such as vapours in the atmosphere – for example, paint, solvents or airborne particles like photocopier toner.

**The Impact of Technology and Industry Development.**
Digital technology and what has it done? Production designers will now have the advantage of new technology to keep track of everything, write up and review scripts and storyboards easier, deadlines can be met easier as well.

**Famous Production Designers.**
Aaron Osborne - Is also an Actor, Film Director, Producer and Set Decorator. Famous movies/films include; Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Sex Drive (2008), The Losers (2010) and I Am Sam (2001). Aaron Raymond - Is also in the Art Department. Famous movies/films include; Quantum Apocalypse (2010), Wolvesbayne (2009), The Dunwich Horror (2009) and Chrome Angels (2009). Adam Stockhausen - Is also an Art Director and in the Art Department. Famous movies/films include; Scream 4 (2011), State of Play (2009), The Darjeeling Limited (2007) and The Switch (2010). Alec Hammond - Is also an Art Director. Famous movies include; Donnie Darko (2001), Red (2010), Flightplan (2005) and The Back-up Plan (2010). Alice Baker - Is also an Art Director and In the Art Department. Famous movies/films include; Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994), JFK (1991), Miller's Crossing (1990) and Barton Fink (1991).

Notable Examples.
A notable example production designing is Alex McDowell. **Alex McDowell**has worked in various films such as; Fight Club, Corpse Bride, The Crow and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). Alex McDowell continues to amaze and dazzle with some of the most eclectic and dynamic visual work in Hollywood. McDowell is know for working along side some of the darkest and strangest film-makers working today, including; Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, David Fincher, Alex Proyas. Even when he worked with Steven Spielberg, who isn't known as a "dark" film-maker. Before signing on for any film, McDowell said that it has to be "impossibly daunting". It seems that philosophy has taken him to the very edge of the medium, working on films that have been said to be some of the most visually unique of this generation, this is largely due to his artistic expertise. "Sitting at the bottom of the hill - in the middle of a beautifully realized England - the Bucket residence is a tragically dilapidated and uneven little house, a major contrast to the kingdom-like factory that sits atop the mountain, looking right down on poor old Charlie Bucket and his silly little lopsided roof. And once we get to the factory itself, we're immersed in one of the brightest and most colourful worlds..." - Chris Bellamy. (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of many of his brilliant visual's he has created.

External Links.
[] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []