How to Become a Set Designer in Film

Set design can be a rewarding and exciting career. You never know what you'll be doing and everyday is a new challenge. Sometimes you might just be making a bedroom set while other times you might be creating a whole new futuristic world that no one has ever seen. To be a set designer you need to be creative, handy and inventive--and woodworking skills are a plus.

Instructions

1. Take woodworking and design classes. Develop your skills with construction. Learn to use anything and everything around you to create unique pieces as well as everyday items. Experiment on the small scale to create affordable, exquisite pieces and take photos of all your items. Put the photos into an album.

2. Connect to and network with local filmmakers. The easiest place to start is with college students. College students have to make films for school and their thesis projects. They typically have next to no budget and will jump at the offer of anyone to help them. Offer to design their sets for free, or just the cost of the materials. Take photos of these and get a copy of the film when it is complete to add to your reel.

3. Do a couple more jobs for free to build up your portfolio, reel and experience. Use this reel to show to independent filmmakers to get work on their films. Work in the world of independent film first to get your feet wet. Independent films will allow you to experiment, further your craft and get some real hands-on experience.

4. Continue to network at festivals, filmmaking parties and other events. Always have business cards on hand. Meet up-and-coming filmmakers as well as studio producers and even assistants. Read the trade magazines. If a script was just sold they're going to be starting pre-production which is when they hire the crew. Send your resume and reel to the producers.

5. Get hired for a studio film. You might be hired as an assistant at first and you will be under the watchful eye and scorn of the lead set designer but it will be invaluable experience. Studio film sets are unforgiving, overly demanding and extremely busy places. You need to be on your toes at all times and use some common sense. Good luck!

Tips & Warnings

• Seek inspiration in unusual places so your work is always fresh and unique.

• Don't take on large project early on, get your feet wet with smaller work.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish