Set decorator - Set dresser
The Set Decorator heads the prop department and works to the Production Designer. The set dressing crew work to the Set Decorator or Designer and are jointly responsible with the Prop Master and Production Buyer to ensure that all interior and exterior set ups follow the design brief. They work ahead of the production to prepare each location or set in advance and may be required to re-dress a set to match a continuity sequence.
'Dressing' describes objects that are used in a scene but are not actually picked up or used by the cast (which are termed action props). Dressing a set involves following detailed setting plans to place furniture, wall and floor coverings into the area which is to be filmed. They are not involved in the filming process, but after each sequence is complete they are responsible for clearing all dressing and props and leaving the location as they found it.
A Set Decorator or Dresser needs to be skilled to handle a vast variety of different scales of artefacts such as furniture, drapery, carpets, paintings, greenery, window displays, table dressings, paper ephemera and flower arrangements. They have to treat all dressing with sensitivity, delicacy and artistry. Dressing often takes place in a private home or in public spaces and the dressing crew are required to represent the production team and use tact and diplomacy when dealing with the public. Specialists may be contracted in to deal with greenery or complex drapes and wall hangings.
Role Profile
- Artistic flair and an eye for detail
- Sensitivity to handle delicate objects
- Ability to follow orders and work to a set brief or dressing plan
- Tact and diplomacy as the job will often involve working in people's homes
- Stamina to handle heavy objects and work long hours under pressure
- Confidence to work independently and make artistic decisions from direct reference
- Full, clean driving licence (possibly HGV licence)
The Set decorator needs knowledge of
- Literature, styles of performance and dramatisation, history, social history, architectural styles and detailing, interior design detailing, history of art and design
- Period and contemporary styles of furniture, furnishings and artefacts
- Production processes for film and television
- Specialist craft techniques
- Technical drafting - able to read scale plan and elevation drawings
- Computer graphic software: Photoshop/illustrator/CAD
- Health and safety regulations particularly in relation to handling heavy and valuable objects
Career Path
There is no established career route to working in the prop department as a Set Decorator or Set Dresser. Many have followed an academic qualification equivalent to a BA (Hons) in Art and Design, English, Drama, History or History of Art before gaining production experience.
A sound understanding of production processes for film and television and an interest in art and artefacts, furniture and furnishings is a useful base.
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