FILM CREW 101
AND BRENDA MEYERS-BALLARD, ART DIRECTOR

ART DEPARTMENT

The Art Department — like most all departments on a film set — has many creatives who collaborate to give the “look” of a show/production.

Art Department and the different divisions within the Art Department is HUGE.

Here’s how the Art Department family tree works.

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

• Head of ART DEPARTMENT
• Hires Heads of Departments within his/her Art Department
  
• Designs the Sets
• Included in Location choices
• Attends all scouting of Locations with Department Heads

CONSTRUCTION COORDINATOR

• Head of Construction Department.
• Works closely with Production Designer
• Oversees the building of Sets
• Staffs everyone on the Construction Crew, including:  Propmakers, Laborers, Plasterers and Painters, Greenswork, Sculpting, Floorcovering, and Modeling (for architectural pieces for the Set)
• Handles paperwork and acts as a liaison between the Production Manager and the Production Designer on all matters of construction
• A Construction Coordinator’s main goal is to bring the vision of the Production Designer to life within the project’s budget
• Engineer the Sets to accommodate camera access, lighting and special effects
• Staffs Key positions for Construction Department:  General Foreman, Head Painter, Chief Sculptor, Labor Foreman, Toolman, Greensman, Plasterer and oversees all work as it happens toward end result
• Estimates set construction costs and tracks Production costs throughout the project
• Finds appropriate building materials
• Rents tools as needed

ART DIRECTOR

• Deals with colors and signage
• Oversees the Construction process
• Works closely with the Production Designer
• Attends all Scouting of Locations with Department Heads

SET DECORATOR

Once the physical walls of the Set are constructed or the location has been chosen, the Set Decorator’s crew is responsible for bringing in the surrounding objects known as “set dressing” — furniture, rugs, lighting fixtures and the like — which contribute to telling the story and support the vision of the Production Designer, Writer, Director and Producer.

• Runs the Set Decorating Department
• Chooses a Leadman
• Finds Set Dressing pieces
• Dispatches Art Crew Shoppers
• Works closely with Production Designer

LEAD PERSON (Gang Boss)

• Assistant to the Set Decorator, responsible for logistics and personnel
• Runs the crew of Set Dressers and Swing Gang
• Coordinates with Transportation the number and type of needed vehicles and crew for required tasks (i.e. moving pieces from one set to others on locations).  Also arranges special transportation equipment for Set Dressing Department such as Condors and forklifts
• Manages paperwork for pickups and returns
• Works with Accounting to arrange for purchase orders, work authorizations and check requests.  Obtains purchase orders for any loss or damaged items
• Handles Tagging System.  As the Set Decorator chooses furnishing in prop houses the Lead Person places “Hold” Tags on the items which state the Set Decorator’s name, Show, Set and pick-up date
• Coordinates with Gaffer and Set Lighting Department on rigging of set dressing practical fixtures
• The Individual who makes sure it all happens when the camera is ready to roll

ON SET DRESSER

• Works next to Camera
• Works under the supervision of the Property Master during actual shooting and represents the Set Decoration Department on Set
• Moves Art Department pieces on Set
• Vacuums, dusts, wipes surfaces on Set
• Protects the Set and covers necessary items.  Works with the Assistant Director to protect against accidents by preventing eating and drinking on any set
• Places “Hot Set” signs on a set in progress so set dressing is not moved, which otherwise might disturb the continuity of the Scene
• Responsible for Art Department continuity – photos taken for redressing items in their proper places if set dressing items have to be struck for any reason
• Locks up valuable pieces once shooting for the day has wrapped.
• Notifies Lead Person if there is a change in schedule, or if shooting on a particular Set hasn’t been completed.

ART SWING GANG

• Responsible for the physical pickup of items and dressing in of sets under the supervision of the Set Decorator
• Pick up set dressing items from prop houses
• Unwrap props and place in organized fashion off-set
• “Rough in” furniture and items into place, based on sketches or directions from Set Decorator
• Execute more detailed dressing placement upon Set Decorator’s direction
• Leap frogs the Sets ahead of and after Main Unit

ADDITIONAL ART CREW

• Carpeting/Flooring Person
• Upholstery Drapery Craftsperson
• Property Sewing Person
• Greens — Foreman, Standby Greensperson
• Propmakers
• Property Master
• Art Department PA (Production Assistant)
• Art Department Intern

CAULIFLOWER TOAST

This recipe is delish-mazing!  Adapted from Barefoot Contessa’s recipe.  If Barefoot Contessa makes it – I will to. 
Try it — you’ll love it!

INGREDIENTS:

1. 1 small head cauliflower
2. 4 TBSP olive oil
3. 1/2 tsp dried red pepper flakes
4. 1 – pound mascarpone cheese, room temperature
5. 1 cup Gruyere cheese, grated
6. 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
7. 6 x large slices country style bread
8. Sprinkles of paprika
9. 2 TBSP fresh chives, minced
10. salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

HERE’S HOW WE MAKE IT:

1. Preheat oven to 400*
2. Cut stems off cauliflower head and discard
3. Cut/chop cauliflower into small florets, about 1/2″ in size
4. Arrange chopped florets on a sheet pan and toss with the olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper
5. Spread out in a single layer, then roast in preheated oven until tender and somewhat browned.  About 25-30 minutes — tossing 2-3 times during baking
6. Remove from oven and set aside for about 10 minutes
7. Set oven to BROIL and place oven rack 6″ below heat
8. Place roasted cauliflower in a large bowl, add mascarpone and stir to coat
9. Add Gruyere, nutmeg, salt and pepper
10. Stir to combine
11. Toast bread slices in a toaster to a light brown
12. Place toasted bread slices on a foil lined baking sheet
13. Top each slice with a mound of cauliflower and dust with paprika
14. Broil until browned and bubbly.  About 3-4 minutes
15. Sprinkle with parmesan, chives and a little ground pepper
16. Enjoy!

Serve with a beautiful, simple butter lettuce salad + thin slices of red onion, tomato and favorite vinaigrette dressing in the summer.  Fall and winter — with a steaming bowl of split pea, potato or lentil soup.

Can’t find mascarpone cheese?
Room temperature cream cheese is the substitute answer!