Standby Art Director
The Stand-by Art Director represents the art department throughout filming by working alongside the camera crew and Director on set and responding to immediate design and setting needs. Working to the Production Designer and the Art Director's instructions they are responsible for the smooth running of all on-set design requirements and design continuity.
They usually join the art department two weeks before filming starts and carry out a detailed script breakdown to familiarise themselves with the action, design requirements, production schedule and action props. During this pre-production period they generally assist the design team and may be called upon to undertake art department tasks, such as producing on-screen graphics, design drafting, scale model making, practical prop making, buying, or set dressing, carrying out risk assessment and general art department administration and record keeping.
Throughout filming they have regular meetings with the Director, 1st Assistant Director (AD), Production Designer, Art Director, Production Buyer and production team to clarify daily requirements and to ensure that forward locations/sets can be ready in time and set dressing is available when needed. They follow given design briefs and specifications where necessary and carry out regular progress reports to the Production Designer and Art Director.
Once a location or set has been approved by the Production Designer and set dressing team it is handed over to the Stand-by Art Director who takes responsibility for props and dressing throughout the shooting of the sequence. They also carry out all set maintenance for continuity.
Employment is on a freelance basis.
Role Profile
- Intellect: wide ranging knowledge base
- Creativity and innovation: practical problem solving under pressure
- Visual and spatial awareness: eye for detail
- Understanding of film and television production and design processes
- Practical design skills including accurate technical drawing and scale model making
- Computer graphics using photoshop/illustrator
- Communication skills: working effectively as part of a team
- Confidence to work independently and take responsibility for design decisions
- Concentration: mental and physical stamina to work long hours under pressure
- Tact and diplomacy: aptitude to handle people and situations diplomatically
The Standby Art Director needs knowledge of
- Literature, styles of performance and dramatisation, history, social history, architectural styles and detailing, interior design detailing, history of art and design
- Film and video production processes and techniques
- The working needs of technical departments such as camera, lighting and sound
- Furniture styles and furnishings
- Specialist suppliers and hire processes
- Construction processes
- Technical drafting and scale model making
- Computer graphic software: Photoshop/illustrator/CAD
- Health and safety regulations
Career Path
The usual career route is an academic qualification equivalent to a BA (Hons) Art and Design in a specific or related field of study such as Television Production Design, Theatre Design, Interior Design or BSc Architecture, followed by gaining practical experience and training in the industry.
Experience is gained over a period of time as part of the art department team. Initial roles can include: Art Department Runner, Art Department Assistant and Draftsperson.
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