Assistant Art Director - Film & TV
Assistant Art Directors work on feature films, commercials and certain types of television production. They help to translate ideas into practical realities - initial sketches become worked-up drawings from which a variety of craftsmen* build sets or adapt locations. There is a strong hierarchical structure within Art Departments, and this chain of command must function smoothly in order to meet the artistic demands of the Director, and the financial and logistical demands of the production. The Assistant Art Director's role is vital within this structure.
In television this role may be combined with that of Standby Art Director. Assistant Art Directors are usually chosen by the Supervising Art Director or the Art Director, work on a freelance basis, and usually specialise in either film or television production. The hours are long and the job can involve long periods working away from home.
What is the job?
Assistant Art Directors' responsibilities vary according to the size of the production. On smaller films or in television productions, they help the Art Director with a wide range of tasks including Art Department research, accessing and making props, surveying locations, model making and helping to produce sets. Big budget studio-based feature films involve designing and building many complicated sets. More than one Art Director will be used on these, each of them working on their own designs through pre-production and into shooting; Assistant Art Directors take responsibility for a number of the smaller sets. They are also responsible for props and for the cleanliness of the sets.
Assistant Art Directors sketch up a variety of ideas based on the Production Designer's specifications using a computer sketching programme such as Sketch-Up or Vectorworks. After showing these ideas to the Production Designer, they refine the drawings and begin work on 3D models. If locations are to be used, they carry out technical recces (site surveys), providing the Supervising Art Director with any relevant information for communication to the Production Designer. During the construction of the set, Assistant Art Directors monitor the construction process, and work on each subsequent set up until the first few weeks of shooting when their work usually ends.
However, during shooting, particularly on television productions, some more experienced Assistant Art Directors may work on the studio floor as Standby Art Directors. They stay close to the video playback monitor, where they can see what the camera is shooting, and can calculate how this impacts on the on set requirements. The Director or Director of Photography may request changes to the set requiring a quick response from Standby Art Directors, who may need to make or acquire a prop at the last minute.
Typical career routes
Most Assistant Art Directors start their careers as Art Department Assistants. After gaining experience on a small number of films or television productions, they are usually given the opportunity to join the drawing studio as a Draughtsman*. After gaining more on-the-job experience, if they impress the Art Director or Production Designer, they may be offered work as an Assistant Art Director or Standby Art Director on lower budget films or television programmes, eventually progressing to the same role on bigger productions.
Most Assistant Art Directors aim to become Art Directors, Supervising Art Directors, and eventually Production Designers. Stage managers and Floor managers move into Art Department work, as do Model Makers, and some artists. Non-media draughtsmen* may also cross over.
Essential knowledge and skills
Assistant Art Directors must have a good all round knowledge of interior design and architecture as well as a practical understanding of building and construction. They should have a good working knowledge of computer drawing software packages such as Sketch-Up and Vectorworks. A full clean driving license is also required.
Key Skills include:
- a good eye for decoration and detail;
- ability to conceptualise ideas;
- excellent free-hand drawing, perspective, and technical drawing skills;
- good prop making skills and an understanding of the prop hire market;
- good knowledge of Design History to select props of the correct vintage;
- the ability to outsource props;
- good communication skills;
- initiative and the ability to work alone and/or as part of a team;
- ability to troubleshoot and respond to unexpected situations;
- a calm approach to stressful situations;
- diplomacy and sensitivity when working with artists and crew;
- willingness to work long and irregular hours;
- knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Training and qualifications
A degree in Fine Art, Graphics, Theatre Design, Architecture or 3D Design provides a good basis for Assistant Art Directors. Some individuals may also undertake higher level courses in Film and/or Theatre Production Design. After training, it is equally important to acquire on-the-job experience of how Art Departments work, whilst refining and improving draughting skills.
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.
Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.
Websites
- - British Film Designers Guild; http://www.filmdesigners.co.uk/
- - BECTU, the trade union represents production personnel;http://www.bectu.org.uk/
- - American Cinematographer has regular features on TV & Film design and digital production techniques; http://www.theasc.com/
Publications
- - Ken Adam: The Art of Production Design - C. Frayling - ISBN - 0571220576
- - Production Design and Art Direction - P. Ettedgui - ISBN - 2880463645
- - By Design: Interviews with Film Production Designers - V. LoBrutto - ISBN - 0275940314
- - Filming the Future - Piers Bizony - ISBN -1854103652
- - Broadcast, the weekly newspaper for the UK TV and Radio industry. http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/
- - Televisual, the business magazine for the broadcast and production industry http://www.televisual.com/
* These terms are used generically and refer to both men and women practitioners.
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