Future job and skills

 “Even more important than learning to draw and paint , its passion. Being passionate about challenges and the inevitable surprises you ‘’ face in your carer is what will ultimately see you through.’’Jake Collinge

intern

After a few years of a career break it was important to take a step back and do some analyses. The main point was to decide exactly what I want to do and if the job role is suitable to my lifestyle?  Moreover, this break gave me perspective and time to show not only of what I enjoy the most, but what else I need to do to meet my goals.

When I look back I never thought about myself as an artist and I wasn’t confident enough to consider become an art director.

“A fundamental aspect to the role is having the ability to foster the best possible creative environment. Having the leadership skills and to do this effectively and consistently is one of the most challenging requirements of art director roles. Along with the highest creative flair and talent; it involves an emotional intelligence, compassion and the ability to understand overarching business objectives.” (Shaun Bowen 2019)

However, my research shows that none of them started their career out in this position. On this basis it will be fantastic prospect to work as a production concept artist with future specialization in environment and character design. I always enjoy design background and looked at character from psychological aspects. I believe this could increase the chances to become an art director in the future.

Understanding the roles in The Art Department and  sub-departments.

  • Production designer:In charge of the department and one of the first members of the crew to be appointed in pre-production by the director.

  • Supervising art director:If working on a big budget production a supervisor will be needed to handle the budget, schedule, liaise between Art Departments (set construction) and production office, they are involved in all aspects of logistical operations.

  • Art director(s):are responsible for individual sets, within the three structures of seniority. On more modest productions art directors assimilate the role of supervisors and become project managers, taking on the managerial and project management of the individual sets. Art directors are also present on set when the production enters principal photography, acting as the liaison between the department and the production designer.  

  • Concept artists: Work within pre-production to aid the pre-visualisation process. They bridge the gap between the VFX team and the Art Department, creating wireframe computer generated images that represent the virtual world within the film.  

  • Storyboard artist:Work in close collaboration with the director sketching out each scene of the movie that is used as reference material for the rest of the departments. Even though shots can change at the last minute, visually understand what the director requires is essential during production. 

  • Draftsmen (set designer US): working on the technical drawings that enable the construction crew to do their job. 

  • Art Department coordinator:The coordinator role is found in large scale productions, and they are responsible for ordering materials, passing on documentation, monitoring expenditure, consumables, liaising with the production office, call times and communications throughout the department. 

  • Art Department assistant:On a low to medium budget production the role of assistant will also be the trainee position of the department, carrying out all the responsibilities outlined here. One big budget films assistants can model making, drafting, surveying and using Photoshop and Illustrator software. 

Set Design:

  • Set decorator(s):The set decorator (set designer US) is the production designers key ally when approaching a project, just as the art department construct the world the characters inhabit the set decorators fill the world with the everyday items we find all around us. They work with the production designer on the overall look of the film and pay particular attention to colour, texture and light when dressing the sets. They are responsible for the dressing of each set, (whether location or studio) with the set decorator taking responsibility for the department. On large scale productions, there are usually assistant set decorators also. 
  • Property master (Props):Responsible for renting, making or buying in props for the production.
  • Production buyer: Working with the property master, production buyers will do the footwork and source the props needed from rental houses, shops, flea markets etc.
  • Set decoration coordinator:Found on higher end productions the coordinator for set decoration will be ordering materials, passing on documentation, monitoring expenditure, consumables, liaising with the production office, call times and communications throughout the department.
  • Graphic designer: Working with the props master and maker, graphic artists work on any prop that requires text, such as documentation, newspapers, maps, books, menus, shop signage etc.
  • Prop makers:On a big budget certain props that are hard to come by can be made by skilled craftsmen and women. If the film is set during a specific period the budget will contain enough money to craft these items in-house.

Construction:

  • Construction manager:Working closely with the production designer, draftsmen and the art directors, the construction manager is responsible for set building and the large workforce needed to make sets for feature films.

  • Construction coordinator:Liaising with the other departments the coordinator takes on the responsibilities such as ordering materials, passing on documentation, monitoring expenditure, consumables, liaising with the production office, call times and communications throughout the department.

  • Scenic artist.

  • Plasterers:If working on period films they can recreate a specific moulding within a set, as well as giving the sets their authenticity.

 

Trends and Skills

Concept art is nothing more than design and from visual side is to present all the elements that appear in the film, animation or computer games to create a clear coherence. However, these disciplines require fundamental skills and knowledge from many areas such as anatomy, lighting, composition, color, mood, as well as the original narrative. On the other hand, the concept artist’s work is a constant work to improve technique and tracking trends.

Requirements and skills:

  • Strong use of research and references material that supports idea generation and problem solving;
  • Excellent drawing skills in both traditional  and digital;
  • Eye for lighting, value,colour and composition;
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to take direction and accept critical review  of your work;
  • Require knowledge of human anatomy , traditional painting methods and experience in Photoshop;
  • Basic understanding of 3d modelling software package;

Portfolio tips for concept artist

  • Taste over technique. Show style, understanding the idea off concept art rather present the technical / software skills;
  • Present portfolio in simple , well navigated  with your contact information;
  • Portfolio is more important than Resume;
  • Build your work from your own experience( unique design, concept);
  • Less is more
  • Show drawing skills( design shapes and objects) ,understanding photographic (different angle)
  • Pay attention to draw materials
  • Show in portfolio storytelling abilities/usually 3 or 4 key frame. Sell a plot point.
  • Design for fantasy,science, fiction genres etc. Don’t avoid historical adaptation
  • Expressing idea clearly is very important as a communicating a narrative.
  • Avoid over design images.
  • When given a single idea for instance, an architectural structure – visualize 8 different possibilities, each based on the same culture inspiration and materials.
  • Specialize in one category- focus on objects environments , props, creature or costume etc.

Staying connected

The final year of study turn out as the most interesting time to search and to stay connected with professionals. On the event How to start working in film industry provided by Northern Ireland Screen, I had the chance to meet personally Shane Bunting and Simon Baxter, known art directors and prop makers. They gave me advice how to back to work and to deal with a lifestyle I’m going into.

The second opportunity was to meet Paul Ghirardani, the art director of Game of Throne and Daniel Blackmore and Owen Black, concept artists who closely worked with him on this project. During this session I had the chance to spoke individually with all of them about daily routine in his studio, portfolio advice, and how to keep myself motivate and open for job opportunities.

Art Department and Art Director role and skills:

“Art Department are responsible for creating the fictional world the film’s characters inhabit, through design, construction and set decoration they build magical worlds and accurately recreate historical settings, often down to the minutest detail on the curtain runners. The Art Department work in close collaboration with Camera, Lighting, Locations, VFX and Costume Departments to achieve the overall atmosphere and look of the film. “

  • strong skills free-hand drawing, perspective or technical drawing to  record information (surveying locations, visualizing script or set design analysis) conceptualize ideas;
    • understanding camera, lighting, sound, and props and  how to set designs can affect work;
    • understanding  building and construction for set designs.
    • present critical investigation and judgement , good  knowledge of interiors and architecture and  how they both  influence set designs.
    • Demonstrate possession of a good eye for decoration and detail with an ability to think visually;
    • Show a methodological approach to work and in developing personal leadership skills in order to motivate others within or in directing a team.
    • Develop the need to be able to see the broader picture to coordinate situations effectively showing diplomacy and sensitivity towards different working practices and cultures when working in other countries.
    • Critically understand the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures, particularly relating to potentially hazardous working conditions and materials.
    • Display a clear understanding of the nature of film industry work procedure, practices and contracts – long and irregular hours.

Art department essentials

 

Opportunities

Continue research

Books:

 

SOFTWARE

Depending on the type of production Art Department can work closely with the VFX team on the Pre-Vis, so its very relevant to keep this in mind.

  • Adobe Illustrator CS5
  • Adobe Photoshop CS5
  • Google Sketchup Pro
  • Vectorworks Architect
  • Autodesk AutoCad
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • 3D Studio Max
  • Form Z
  • Rhino
  • Autodesk REVIT
  • Sketchup
  • Autodesk MAYA

 

 

Resume

  • Different Cv for every job
  • Avoid Paragraphs
  • Be specific about skills
  • Look for what companies are looking for
  • PROFILE- key words(Self motivated, open minded, creative)

 

 

Finall cv ( from two pages up to one !)

beata_cv

 

Resources:

  1. Shorter, 2012. Design for Screen. Crowood Press, Wiltshire [Accessed 28 April 2019]
  2. Halligan(2012)Production Design, Ilex, Lewes, East Sussex.[Accessed 28 April 2019]
  3. Moan (2017) Becoming a Concept Artist for a Hollywood Film. Available at:https://magazine.artstation.com/2017/07/concept-artist-hollywood-film/[Accessed 28 April 2019]
  1. Creative Blog (2019).Being an Art Director, all you need to now. Available at: https://www.creativebloq.com/career/art-director-11121180 [ Accessed 28 April 2019]
  2. Art Station Magazine (2018). Storytelling in Concept Art for Film & Entertainment. Available at: https://magazine.artstation.com/2018/09/storytelling/[ Accessed 28 April 2019]
  3. https://myfirstjobinfilm.co.uk/resources/careers-guide/detail?page_id=9
  4. www.magazine.artstation.com/2019. [Accessed 17 March 2019]
  5. cgspectrum.edu.au/2018/kevin nice.[Accessed 17 March 2019]
  6. https://magazine.artstation.com/2017/07/concept-artist-hollywood%5BAccessed 17 March 2019]
  7. https://www.myfirstjobinfilm.co.uk/resources/careers-guide/detail?page_id=9.%5BAccessed 17 March 2019]
  8. https://www.screenskills.com/education-training/job-profiles/craft/art-department/%5BAccessed 17 March 2019]
  9. https://io9.gizmodo.com/how-to-break-in-as-a-hollywood-concept-artist-artists-5564301%5BAccessed 17 March 2019]
  10. https://www.learnsquared.com/courses/cinematic-concept%5BAccessed 17 March 2019]