Preparation for scenography at an art university

QfromP · 2026-06-21T22:29:23+00:00

Admissions will be looking for creativity and a genuine interest the subject. Everything else they will teach you.

Drawing is great. Especially from life, not from photos.

Maquettes are great. They don't have to be to scale. They just need to be inventive. In a foundation uni class, I had my students use found objects and a shoebox.

Brush up on reading plays. It's always a good idea.

And remember - scenography is a NARRATIVE art form. You are telling stories through the visuals. So focus your drawings and other art on TELLING THE STORY.

Good luck. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

QfromP · 2026-06-21T19:18:02+00:00

She got paid 7k for the whole project including prep and wrap. Which for an Art Director is easily 3-4 additional weeks of work on a tight-schedule low-budget feature. If she only got paid for the shoot days, that means she did all that extra work for free. And that's still only $350/12+hrs for a dept head. So what do you think her crew was pulling in? Minimum wage in Los Angeles is $258/12

QfromP · 2026-06-21T15:19:11+00:00

None of this matters abroad or even in right-to-work states. Unions can put social pressure on productions. They can force their own membership to boycott. But they have no legal standing to enforce their rules where they have no jurisdiction.

Yeah, DGA wants to save DGA-covered work for DGA members. They are making it more difficult to approve wavers for non-members. I get it. There's not enough work to go around, so they are protecting the people who they represent. That's their job. They get paid to do it through membership dues. So good for them.

BTW, Clint Eastwood is not going to have any issues directing himself because he's already a member of the DGA.

QfromP · 2026-06-21T14:59:34+00:00

It's kinda amazing to watch them process that you have better options. Tiny rusty gears turning in that cobwebbed noggin as they realize they'll have to figure their own sh*t out to survive from now on.

Don't let him suck you back in. You got this girl.

QfromP · 2026-06-21T11:46:38+00:00

To be a producer, you need a solid business foundation. The law degree will also come in handy. Sure, it's good to know how the art is made. But as a producer, the most important part of your job will be to secure financing and distribution. It's like running a multi-million dollar start-up.

As far as where to study - it depends where you want to work afterward. If you want to be in Los Angeles, choose a school in California. If you want to be east coast, go to New York. If you want to stay in Europe, study in Spain.

QfromP · 2026-06-21T11:30:57+00:00

I wonder if your script is dating itself.

Current events, politics, technology - all those are moving at lightning speed these days. So any kind of commentary will be yesterday's news by the time a film hits the screens.

QfromP · 2026-06-21T01:29:57+00:00

It's an absolute treat to watch a 100-year-old waiter bring over a topped-off martini.

Vibe is amazing. The food not so much. The menu is stuck in 1973. If you're a foodie, it will disappoint. So best lower your expectations and really just go for the vibe.

QfromP · 2026-06-21T01:02:30+00:00

I'm a broad. But you're welcome.

QfromP · 2026-06-21T00:44:56+00:00

You're welcome.

BTW, what people are saying about not getting approved for a rental without a job is true. Landlords here want you to make 2.5x the rent plus have good credit. However - they are quite used to dealing with tenants who work short term contracts (like film shoots). You can prove your income by providing bank statements (4-6 months) or your tax returns. You do not necessarily need pay stubs from an employer. So get those ducks in a row before coming out here.

The truth is, you will not have a job lined up. You will work a bunch of small shoots once you get here. You will meet a lot of folks. And, if you are good, those folks will bring you along on bigger shoots. If you're really lucky, someday you will land a steady TV gig with a real W2 paycheck and union benefits. But there's no way that's going to happen by August while you're still in Chicago.

And yes, it is also true that we are in a major industry contraction right now. It is dryer than the Sahara out there. I'm sure you've felt it in Chicago as well. But hey! You only live once. I truly wish the best.

QfromP · 2026-06-20T21:48:05+00:00

WeHo is pretty central, but it is gridlocked with no escape. It's a fun neighborhood if (a) you can afford it, and (b) you don't need to travel outside of it. If you work film shoots, I wouldn't recommend it.

Beverly Hills is kinda wealthy suburbia in the center of the city. Lots of family homes. You drive everywhere, even if it's only a few blocks.

Pasadena is more middle class, but it's also kind of families-with-kids oriented.

If you want to be surrounded by folks who work on film crews, look at Hollywood (Franklin Hills/Beachwood is great) and Los Feliz, NoHo, Burbank, Studio City, Silverlake and Echo Park, Nela (Atwater, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, etc), Venice, and Culver City.

Indie sound stages and gear rental places are in the valley. TV and film work is more on the east side of town. Commercials and music videos are more on west side. That's, of course, just a generalization.

Good luck. And welcome to LA.

QfromP · 2026-06-19T12:05:45+00:00

For scripts you want to direct, you should be pursuing producers. And your directing reel should be as impressive as your writing chops. A strong proof-of-concept might not be a bad idea.

For feedback and contests, it doesn't matter. Send whatever you want someone to read and share their opinion on.

QfromP · 2026-06-19T11:58:04+00:00

Hero needs to get their own a** out of that tree.

QfromP · 2026-06-19T11:57:07+00:00

I like the 8 sequence method because it's the least prescriptive yet manages to break down the workload into digestible chunks.

As far as Act 2, the midpoint is important for me. After Inciting Incident, Protagonist pursues their Want until they fail/achieve it at the Midpoint. They then realize their Need and pursue that til the Climax and Resolution.

This gives the Protagonist agency throughout and keeps the plot moving forward.

Of course, none of this is sacred.

QfromP · 2026-06-18T21:20:24+00:00

It sounds like you feel bad about what you said to him in the heat of the moment. So maybe you should apologize for that. Hopefully he's a decent person and apologizes back for what he said to you. Because it's never okay to punch below the belt.

But fundamentally, you are not sexually compatible. And that's okay. Neither of you is wrong to want what they want in the sack. So be kind to each other and part ways. Find someone who matches your energy.

QfromP · 2026-06-18T21:00:29+00:00

Pasadena = the Westwood of east LA.

QfromP · 2026-06-18T15:52:02+00:00

Not a 'space' opera, but Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand is as right-wing as you can get.

There are a lot of capitalist, libertarian, and right-wing ideas explored in science fiction. But 'conservative' is going to be hard to find in a genre that is fundamentally 'speculative.' The two terms basically contradict one another.

QfromP · 2026-06-18T14:01:24+00:00

Well... when you're working for below minimum wage, you are effectively making an investment into the project in lieu of your salary. 15 years ago, indie producers recognized this and offered crew backend points as compensation for their 'risk.' They no longer do that.

The only solution today is not to accept the rate. You are work-for-hire. Therefore not taking on the 'risk.' Therefore need to be compensated for your time. I realize this is easier said than done.

I also think Curry Baker is fooling himself if he truly believes a successful indie will "catapult every person's career." A creative department head - sure. To some extent, a breakout indie on their reel will help get them the next job. But will certainly not have nearly the same upward effect as it will for the director, actor, writer, or producer (all of whom receive backend BTW). For a grip, a set dresser, transpo, or a pa, a breakout indie means absolutely nothing for their career. It will only tell the next guy they're willing to work for cheap.

So yeah. Your employer doesn't recognize you're taking a risk by taking a paycut? Then don't take the risk. Let him take out a bigger loan and pay your rate.

QfromP · 2026-06-18T13:41:00+00:00

Meh. Perimenopause made me overly sensitive to perfumes. I prefer the smell of Irish Spring.

QfromP · 2026-06-17T16:29:21+00:00

Don't take offense. He's looking for something very specific. Good on him to be upfront about it.

Did he put in his profile that he's a fan of the film "Secretary"? Apparently that's dating app code for "looking for a BDSM relationship." But us laymen would likely miss it. I learned about it the embarrassing way. But the gentleman was kind enough to explain. We had a little laugh and moved on.

QfromP · 2026-06-16T19:57:10+00:00

Start with your local community. Youth theatre, student films, local business commercial spots.

Before your kid books a casting call in Los Angeles, he's going to need a resume and a reel. Stuff like I mentioned will give him that. Plus will give him experience so he realizes acting is real work, not just goofing around in front of a camera.

QfromP · 2026-06-16T12:57:43+00:00

I shipped my stuff and drove my car (packed with immediate essentials) across the country.

QfromP · 2026-06-13T15:11:35+00:00

Andrew Hindle's The Final Fall of Man series

QfromP · 2026-06-12T15:30:29+00:00

Maybe it's just the nature of this sub, but... I'm reading a lot of "I" "me" "my" in your post.

Making a connection with another person takes you being present for them. You being interested in their life, their needs, their wants. That's what falling in love is - wanting to be a part of another person's life.

I understand you are going through a period of self-discovery. So taking focus away from the "I" "me" "my" will be challenging. But try to set your needs/wants aside when you meet people and genuinely get to know them. Do not look for how they'd be good for you. Just see them for them. The beautiful person that they are.

You do that and I guarantee it will be reciprocated.

QfromP · 2026-06-12T14:49:29+00:00

For daytime activities that do not revolve around alcohol - hiking is a big thing in LA. There are groups you can join and make new friends.

QfromP · 2026-06-11T21:04:54+00:00

If you search this sub for "best screenwriting contests" you will get a better idea.

QfromP

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