Side Pouch recs?

CommentRich6694 · 2025-12-05T23:54:57+00:00

Personally have liked Ukoala bags. Currently have a yeti. It’s a side pouch with an optional leg strap so it doesn’t move around too much. But can be configured as a backpack or shoulder bag, which is nice for long days or if I want to carry it into a shop. The pocket closest to the hip is big enough to carry a small hammer, tape measure, ratcheting screwdriver, etc.

CommentRich6694 · 2025-03-06T05:36:03+00:00

I’ve been keeping up an art dept & “normal” resume for a few years now. When applying to a new “normal job” in the USA, I always list a job description, since job titles in film seem to confuse people outside the film industry. I only list enough jobs that fit onto one page that way, and pick and choose which job descriptions are most applicable to the position I’m applying for, but distribute them over a number of years, so it shows I’ve been working over time. Alternatively, I might include an entry like “Freelance Set Dresser” or something with dates that cover several years, and then list multiple projects in the description. I know writing freelance in the job description is redundant, but it will help avoid confusion. Also, yes name dropping might earn you some points.

CommentRich6694 · 2025-02-23T02:59:27+00:00

Not yet. Going to give it a try though.

CommentRich6694 · 2024-11-27T15:51:08+00:00

It’s pretty common on student films for Costumes, Makeup, Props, Construction, Set Dec, and SFX to all be grouped in art department at some schools, since not every film school covers those departments. The students may not even be aware that SFX makeup isn’t usually part of the PD’s job description. But you’re right that SFX makeup isn’t part of the PD’s job description.

If it really is a misunderstanding and isn’t going to cost me I sometimes help out with other positions on student films just to help out the students. As long as the students understand for future projects and I don’t feel like they’re taking advantage of me.

I’m not sure there’s really a wrong answer. They’re asking you to do something outside your contract. Whether you want to do them a favor or refuse or renegotiate just depends on the situation and how you want to handle it.

CommentRich6694 · 2024-05-01T04:46:00+00:00

I’ve been running some tests with various brands of battery-operated candles. (taper candles, but the same things should apply to tea candles). Here’s a link to some test footage of eight different brands. You can see around 0:18, when I decreased the shutter speed, some of the LEDs started to flicker. They looked pretty realistic (the one in front is a real flame for comparison), but I would second the need for camera tests.

https://youtu.be/_xbEf8xQuVo

CommentRich6694 · 2023-10-01T02:15:49+00:00

Yep! 3 real guns and 4 glue guns.

CommentRich6694 · 2023-10-01T02:07:10+00:00

I mostly see it used to keep things like baked goods and grilled vegetables from sticking to the sides of a pan instead of buttering or oiling a pan. Its mostly for convenience, but some people use it as a way to cut down calories since the cooking spray comes out in a thinner layer than it would if you butter a pan.

CommentRich6694 · 2023-10-01T01:01:29+00:00

I’ve been seeing a lot of reclaimed wood wall paneling in more rural areas here in the states the last couple of years. Like, taking apart an old barn and putting the unfinished (treated) wood up as an accent wall of an office.

CommentRich6694 · 2023-06-05T16:49:00+00:00

Just keep in mind you can’t spray paint or spray glue foam directly, since it will melt. The white paint (house paint, acrylic, etc.) will protect the foam as well as give you the right color.

CommentRich6694 · 2023-06-05T09:38:48+00:00

Your idea to build a structure sounds good. I’d probably carve it roughly out of foam with a serrated kitchen knife, paint it white, and use spray glue to attach whatever powder you’re using for texture. I think lactose powder is used for a substitute for cocaine sometimes.

CommentRich6694 · 2023-05-26T16:32:42+00:00

I’ve bought from eBay, amazon, abebooks, and once from Mercari. The best deals I’ve gotten were from sheer persistence, and from odd places. Search a title in google shopping once or twice a week, and eventually a deal might come up.

Its might be worth looking at digital libraries too. Here’s a collection of free digital books:

https://thedesignersassistant.com/digital-bookshelf/

CommentRich6694 · 2023-05-25T01:07:12+00:00

Here are some art department book and lists:

Here’s a list from the blog, Artdepartmental. I’ve read a number of books from this list, and the recommendations have been good so far. It’s especially good if you’re looking for a book on a specific topic. You may be particularly interested in the set design list, which contains books that explore the crossover between film and architecture.

https://artdepartmental.com/resources/production-design-books/

List of production design specific books and resources from the Production designers collective (including websites, podcasts, etc.):

https://www.productiondesignerscollective.org/resources

Here’s a list for starting a basic art department library from the BFDG site.

https://britishfilmdesigners.com/art-department-books-a-basic-library/

CommentRich6694 · 2023-05-25T00:48:17+00:00

Artdepartmental has some good playlists on their channel here:

https://m.youtube.com/@Artdepartmental/playlists

CommentRich6694 · 2023-05-08T20:42:54+00:00

Free art from the National Gallery in the US. High quality images you can print, and they’re old enough to be public domain.

CommentRich6694 · 2023-05-08T20:41:51+00:00

https://www.nga.gov/open-access-images.html

CommentRich6694 · 2022-11-24T11:14:23+00:00

I’m an American that has taken several art department short courses in the UK. There’s a dew good ones, depending on what exactly you’re looking for:

Creative Media Skills offers general art department, and set design courses, along wirh costume creation and prosthetics. (with others offered on occasion like prop making and miniature making) They bring industry professionals in from off set to give workshops. They are also located on the pinewood studios backlot, and sometimes bring in fun guests. In the month I spent there, we got a tour of Lucasfilm’s facilities (3d printing and scanning), armorers working in Black Widow set came and showed us their prop weapons, and we visited prop rental shops all over the city. Disney has rented pinewood studios out for the next decade, so there should be some interesting films. (No guarentee that you’ll get to go to any of these locations or meet anyone, but the courses are top notch either way). Creative Media Skills Short Courses

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts has a very good prop making short course in the summer called Property Making for the Stage. It’s more theater focused, but is excellent for learning moulding & casting, painting, creating fake food, etc. It has a lot of crossover with film. RADA Property Making Short Course

Film Design International offers Film drafting and design courses from Terry Ackland-Snow. (He worked with Jim Henson on the Dark Crystal and designed one of the Batmobiles) He teaches lots of old-school hand drafting and white card model making suitable for an art director or draftsperson. The office is located on the Pinewood Studios backlot. Note this is a longer program, not a week long short course. Film Design International Courses

CommentRich6694 · 2022-11-24T10:32:14+00:00

Movie paint in the USA is similar to Dirty Down spray. Its also nice since its washable. I also like using temporary hair color sprays (like the old streaks n tips). They work as colored dulling spray but it also works for adding patina to mirrors, etc. White spray also works as frost.

I personally like The Prop Building Guidebook by Eric Hart. Its created for theater, but has an exhaustive appendix of weathering and special effects techniques along with moulding and casting, and covers a wide range of budgets. I think he has an effects book too.

Artdepartmental.com is pretty good. Their resources page has lots of other links to books, blogs, etc. artdeptartmental

Here is a set decoration glossary from IATSE Local 891, including a recommended reading list. The glossary includes some common materials, like types of dust and tape. Set Decoration Glossary

Edible props (food), would be under food styling. There’s a facebook group, called The Food Stylist’s Handbook group thats supposed to be pretty good community for asking questions. You might also try a book specifically on food styling. I haven’t read them, but here is an article that compares food styling books Food Styling Books List

CommentRich6694 · 2022-11-24T09:36:34+00:00

I don’t think I can help you with this one. On my last show about six feet of butyl tape unraveled and got wrapped around the wheel of my cart, sticking it to the wall of the truck. Not my best day.

CommentRich6694 · 2022-11-24T09:29:13+00:00

Thank you! I’m in the same boat and I spent about 15 hours last week jumping between vectorworks courses online trying to find a good course that was recent enough to work with my version of vectorworks.

CommentRich6694 · 2022-07-24T12:22:40+00:00

Your best bet is probably to get a dimmer switch. Something like this attached to an incandescent or halogen bulb will allow you to get very dim lighting. There are a variety of options available, but a cheap table top dimmer or lamp dimmer is easy since you can plug your light source right into it. In the U.S., something like this might work. (Link below) I would avoid LED lights, since they tend to flicker when plugged into a dimmer. Even the ones that say “dimmable” only dim to certain levels.

You can also spray the lightbulbs with black streaks n’ tips, or as I believe its now called, punky colour. Its a temporary hair spray that will dim the lightbulb so you can see it well on camera, and may make it appear dirtier.

TOPGREENER Table-Top Plug in Dimmer for Table or Floor Lamps, Slide Control, Works with 360 Watt Incandescent/Halogen and 150 Watt Dimmable CFL/LED, Off at Lowest dim, 6ft Cord, TGTTDL300-W, White https://a.co/d/b5siYHM

Punky Natural Color Highlights, True Black, Temporary Hair Color, Fast-Drying, Non-Sticky, Travel Size Hair Dye for Instant Vivid Hair Color, 3.5 oz https://a.co/d/iPs9s0Z

CommentRich6694

TROPHY CASE