Film Set Decorator

Film Set Decorator

Kitty_K

5 Years Experience

Los Angeles, CA

Female, 30

I am a Los Angeles based decorator and have worked on a range of projects from an Academy Award winning feature to commercials for brands like Bank of America and Kay's Jewellers. An average day on the job involves me visiting high-end stores and prop houses in Los Angeles to photograph and price furniture, lighting fixtures, drapery, and art. I am responsible for running a crew and collaborating creatively with the director, production designer and cinematographer. Ask me anything!

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60 Questions

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Last Answer on October 08, 2015

Best Rated

How does a set dresser get on a union show/film to get union hours for either the SDSA or local 44?

Asked by pd almost 11 years ago

This is a very tricky one...  There are two ways to get inducted into Local 44, the union for property, set dressers and decorators - get hired onto a non union show that flips and becomes union. This situation usually involves a very low budget film ($1 million or under) that gets struck by the teamsters and the whole crew goes union. The second way is to get ushered in by someone on the inside. I got my hours when I was hired onto a union film as the decorator by the art director. The art director owns a set shop that had recently gone union and I was on the roster of employees. He sought special permission from the head of the union to bring me onto the film- it was a very unique situation and this does not happen often. My best advice is to network network network. This industry revolves around who you know and every little bit counts. 

how can i sell some of my items as props or find items needed

Asked by mikey c almost 11 years ago

Depends on what kind of props you have. Do you have antiques? Custom fabricated pieces? Items that are hard to find? Check out the Debbie's Book - a set decorator's best friend - a bible that lists every prop house from east to west. You might find one or two in there that would be interested in what you have depending on the demand. 

I am trying to move into more set decorating and I currently work more in the set dresser and shopper realm. I have worked on quite a few large jobs. should I have a reel?

Asked by Knee about 11 years ago

For me- a website has been essential for presenting my work to others. The client or designer can get an idea of what I have worked on and what styles I have created on past projects.  A reel is a better presentation tool for a cinematographer or director- where the body of work must be presented 'in motion' to accurately represent the abilities of the artist. 

I've been trying to find out for years if the drapes used in the last scene of "Signs" (they were blowing in the wind in Graham's room) were hand made or bought somewhere. It looks like an eyelet circular pattern. Any info would be appreciated! TY!

Asked by Wendy almost 11 years ago

I have no idea personally- the set decorator or shopper on that film knows the answer... :)

How can I have my artwork in movies or tv

Asked by artweallnyc over 10 years ago

Contact a cleared art showroom like Art Pic, Hollywood Studio Gallery, or Wallspace to see if they would be interested in using your work. Good cleared photography, graphic art and paintings are extremely coveted in this industry and there is no shortage of need for it. 

Who would I contact to see if Set company would be interested in fabric material that the airlines no longer have use for.

Asked by Debra about 11 years ago

I am sure a place like Omega Cinema Props in Hollywood would be very interested in fabric. They have a fantastic drapery dept and often make custom upholstered items for period piece films and television shows. 

give a differences between enter a set decorator and a dressing

Asked by mshikana thembele over 10 years ago

A set decorator is the interior designer to the set. A set dresser is a member of the set dec crew who helps place the set dressing items per the set decorator's instructions. The leadman is the set decorator's right hand person and delivers the instructions to the crew.