How to Be a Production Designer in Films

Are you interested in design? Would you like to work in film? Can you think on your feet and change gears quickly? If so, production design may be the perfect job for you. Production designers work closely with the film's director and as well as the photography director. The production designer also heads up a team consisting of a prop master, costume designer, set director, and an art director. As production designer, you are in charge of getting the film's scenes to look and feel a certain way. Film-making is exciting, fun, and you can rub shoulders with well-known actors, writers, other designers, producers, and directors. The hours are long, and you may have to begin as an unpaid intern, but your flair for creating sets, along with lots of dedication and hard work, will help you to succeed.

Instructions

1. Get an education. Production designers do not have to have a specific degree, but it certainly helps to have a background in art, design, photography or illustration. There are a few colleges that offer degrees in production design but, typically, you will have a background in art and understand color, shape, space, and design.

2. Understand the working conditions. Working on a film set is hard. The hours are long, everyone is stressed, and directions can change in the blink of an eye. You must be able to multi-task and stay organized. Being physically fit and being diplomatic and able to deal with a variety of different personalities will help you vastly.

3. Become an intern. While you are finishing up your degree, or looking for a paid position, search for internships on film sets. This first-hand knowledge of what goes on during the production of a film is worth its weight in gold. More than likely, you will not be paid, but you will gain knowledge and experience. You also will have the chance to network and make valuable contacts within the film industry. If you are in school, the art and film departments can help you find internships.

4. Find out if films are shot in your area. If so, search job advertisements in the newspaper and on-line at Craigslist. These are places in which ads are typically placed when production sets are looking for crew members. You may not be paid, or the pay might be low if you are inexperienced; however, the benefit of working with a production crew outweighs the low or non-pay aspect.

5. Make contacts. If you are lucky enough to work on a film set, meet as many people as possible. Any and all of these staff members may provide an opportunity for your next job. Talk to people, help in any way that you can, and make yourself available. Keep smiling and be friendly.

6. Create a resume. As you gather experience and education, your resume should reflect what you know. If you are not savvy with resume building, seek professional help through a recruiter or staffing agency. There are also freelancers who are experts at putting together a strong resume for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Network as much as possible. Who you know is often how you get your foot into the door of your next assignment.