Art Department Assistants provide support to other members of the Art Department, whilst gaining valuable initial experience from which to progress to more senior Art Department roles. Working in the Art Department of a film demands a mix of imagination, practical and technical skills, and the ability to organise and coordinate complex tasks. Most of this knowledge and experience is acquired while working in a variety of jobs within the department. The hours can be long, but good Assistants who show initiative and talent may progress relatively quickly through the ranks of the Art Department. Art Department Assistants work on a freelance basis.

What is the job?
Art Department Assistants usually start work in the early stages of pre-production and finish approximately a week after the film has wrapped (is completed). On most films of a modest budget, they fulfil both the role of a trainee, working to improve their drawing and model making skills, and of a Runner, providing support to the Art Department. In pre-production, they spend most of their time in the drawing studio, making sure that the Draughtsmen* have all the necessary materials, including pencils, erasers, foam-core, card, spray paint, glue, detail paper, etc. Art Department Assistants are usually responsible for ordering materials for the drawing studio, carefully monitoring supplies and usage, and constantly anticipating what might be required. Art Department Assistants also perform basic running duties (making tea or coffee, fetching lunch for Draughtsmen working at their drawing boards, etc).

Art Department Assistants work with Assistant Art Directors to record detailed measurements of locations, and on bigger films help them with the construction of scale models for less complex sets. They work closely with the Art Department Co-ordinator, providing back-up and basic running duties between the Art Department office, the Drawing and Construction studios, and the Production Office. During filming Art Department Assistants carry out vital roles, assisting the Standby Art Director and the Art Department Co-ordinator with any last minute requests or changes to the sets.

Typical career routes
Working as an Art Department Assistant is considered a prerequisite for progressing through the ranks of the Art Department. The position provides the opportunity to learn on the job, practising the drawing and model making skills that are vital for all Draughtsmen and Art Directors. Competition is stiff and it can be difficult to get a job initially, but researching forthcoming productions and contacting Art Directors may provide an opening as a Runner/Trainee or Art Department Assistant. Good Assistants often progress quickly to become Junior Draughtsmen, and continue up the ranks to Draughtsman and possibly to Art Director.

Essential knowledge and skills
Although the role of Art Department Assistant involves a large amount of learning on the job, basic free-hand and technical drawing skills and computer skills are required. A full clean driving license is also useful.
Key Skills include:

Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film.

Art Department Assistant

* The terms Draughtsman or Draughtsmen are used generically and refer to both men and women practitioners

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