Art Direction for Film and Video

by Olson; Robert

• ISBN13: 9780240803388
• ISBN10: 0240803388
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780240803388, 9780240803388
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780240803388, 9780240803388
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1998-10-22
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Written by an author with over 30 years of working experience, this book takes a practical, thorough look at the duties and skills of art directors and production designers. It teaches readers how to analyze a script, develop concepts that meet the needs of a script, develop sketches and construction drawings, work with directors and producers, and operate within budget limitations. The book has been updated and expanded to include interviews with professionals at all levels in the art department. A chapter on digital effects as they relate to the work of the art director has been added to this new edition. Students, novices in the profession, and persons from other art/design fields who are interested in expanding into film and video will find this is a valuable resource. written by an author with over 30 years of working experience, this book takes a practical, thorough look at the duties and skills of art directors and production designers. It teaches readers how to analyze a script, develop concepts that meet the needs of a script, develop sketches and construction drawings, work with directors and producers, and operate within budget limitations. The book has been updated and expanded to include interviews with professionals at all levels in the art department. A chapter on digital effects as they relate to the work of the art director has been added to this new edition. Students, novices in the profession, and persons from other art/design fields who are interested in expanding into film and video will find this is a valuable resource.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi	(2)
Acknowledgments	xiii	(2)
Introduction	xv
PART I THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRODUCTION DESIGNER	3	(48)
Chapter 1 WHAT IS A PRODUCTION DESIGNER?	3	(8)
The Production Designer's Place
Design Beginnings
What Does a Production Designer Do?
Pictures Begin to Move
Work in the Movies? Never!
Television Changes the Film Business
The Visual Future
Chapter 2 WHAT DOES AN ART DIRECTOR NEED TO KNOW?	11	(6)
An Art Director Should Be Visually Aware
Drafting: That Dreaded Word
Materials
Lighting
Helpful Personal Qualities
Wish You'd Stayed on the Farm?
Chapter 3 THE PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT	17	(6)
Lines and Dots
Different Perceptions
How Does the Video Picture Get from Here to There?
Bold Is Best
The Production Stage
The All-seeing Eye (Almost)
Chapter 4 SCENIC BUILDING BLOCKS	23	(6)
Types of Flats and Materials
Platforms
Materially Speaking
Backings
Chapter 5 PRODUCTION DESIGNERS USE SPECIAL EFFECTS	29	(8)
In-camera Effects
Miniatures
Through the Looking Glass
Matte Painting
Laboratory Effects
Rear Projection
Modern Effects
The Digital Present and Future
Chapter 6 LIGHTING EQUIPMENT	37	(6)
Two Types of Lighting Instruments
Light Controls
Chapter 7 TECHNIQUES FOR EFFECTIVE LIGHTING	43	(8)
Film and Video
Lights for the Actors
Different Lighting Methods
Location Lighting
PART II OUTLINE OF A JOB	51	(54)
Chapter 8 MEET THE PRODUCER AND THE DIRECTOR	51	(6)
The Producer
The Director
The Production Designer Asks Some Questions
Chapter 9 HERE'S THE SCRIPT	57	(4)
Analyze the Script
Research the Characters and Settings
Chapter 10 USING RESEARCH MATERIALS	61	(6)
Designing from Materials
Nonspecific Research
Chapter 11 MAKE SOME SKETCHES	67	(8)
Materials
Patty's Living Room
Get Cost Estimates
The Tour Bus Is Leaving
Chapter 12 TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS	75	(6)
Your Drawing Board
Drafting Paper
Pencils
Erasers
Your T-square
Architect's Scale
Triangles
Your Work Area
Computer-aided Drafting
Chapter 13 THE CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS	81	(6)
Types of Construction Drawings
The Next Step
Chapter 14 FINISHING THE CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS	87	(8)
Transfer the Drawings
Look at the Details
Off to the Blueprinter
Chapter 15 MODEL MAKING	95	(4)
Different Types of Models
Our White Set
Making the Model
Showing the Model
Chapter 16 SUPERVISING CONSTRUCTION AND SETUP	99	(6)
Getting Bids
Construction and Setup Supervision
Set Decoration
The Prop Master
Keeping Records
The Critique
PART III TYPICAL SETS AND OPPORTUNITIES	105	(34)
Chapter 17 A PRODUCTION DESIGNER ON LOCATION	105	(6)
Patty's Town Moves
Off to Location
Back to the City Again
Chapter 18 STAGING A TALK SHOW	111	(6)
The Production Meeting
The Great Chair Search and the Proper Height
Different Approaches
Be Imaginative!
Chapter 19 STAGING A NEWS BROADCAST	117	(8)
Background on the News
The Art Director's Role
Make It Look Like a Newsroom!
Harold Gets Busy
What's the Decision?
Chapter 20 DESIGNING A COMMERCIAL	125	(8)
Storyboards
Commercial Production Personnel and Procedures
Here's the Script
The Basic Set
Designing Other Environments
Chapter 21 HOW TO GET STARTED AND WHERE TO LOOK	133	(6)
Get Your Foot in the Door
Getting Your Act Together
Where to Look
How to Look
From the Author	139	(2)
Index	141