Course Description
Equips students with skills and knowledge of set construction for the film and television industries. Students participate in class projects, including mood boards, drafting, reading blueprints, architectural models, set etiquette and safety, use of power tools, carpentry, and scenic paint. Students work on and complete a collaborative final project.
Athena Title
Set Construction
Prerequisite
FILM 2000
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course provides students with professional training in set construction and painting skills, preparing them for positions working on film and television productions. They learn to prepare and execute a variety of creative projects. The course is offered in collaboration with the Georgia Film Consortium. It may count as a general elective.
Topical Outline
1. Understand the fundamental job descriptions within an Art Department on a film or episodic TV production. a. Identify the job titles and hierarchy of the Art Department personnel. b. Describe the job descriptions and responsibilities of the Art Department. 2. Demonstrate safety procedures and etiquette on set and in a scene shop. a. Demonstrate proper safety guidelines while working in a set location or scenic shop. b. Identify and utilize safety procedures when operating power and hand tools in a set construction environment. c. Demonstrate advanced techniques in the use of a table saw with traditional and dado blades, circular saw, power drill and drivers, reciprocating saws, and miscellaneous shop/industry-relevant construction tools. d. Identify and describe the proper operation and safe usages for ladders, platforms, and scaffolding in a set construction environment, as well as heavy equipment (e.g., scissor lifts and one-man lifts, condors, cherry-pickers, forklifts, and pallet jacks). 3. Demonstrate selection and use of set construction material. a. Identify materials and their appropriate uses in set construction. b. Demonstrate carving and sculpting foam with sandpaper, files, and other hand tools. c. Describe materials and techniques used in the construction of flats, doors, and windows. 4. Describe services provided by vendors in the set construction industry. a. Discuss the functions of scene and prop shops. b. Identify vendors relevant to the set construction in the film industry. c. Identify vendor services available in the film industry for set construction needs. 5. Build scene shop structures (e.g., worktables, jacks, and shelves) for on-set organization and support. a. Identify proper usage and construction of facade wall supports and bracing (e.g., jacks). b. Demonstrate proficiency in creating/building and utilizing jigs to speed up the set construction process. c. Build a scene shop worktable and work shelves. 6. Build basic set structures, including Hollywood flats, door flats, and window flats. a. Identify basic assembly techniques for set pieces. b. Construct a wall flat. c. Construct a door unit. d. Construct a window unit. 7. Demonstrate basic techniques for material prep, painting, and texturing. a. Identify basic materials and tools used in the painting and texturing of sets. b. Exhibit proper technique in the prepping, sanding, primer application, and joint filling. c. Demonstrate skills in painting, texturing, and faux finishes. d. Demonstrate proper techniques for aging on faux stone, brick, and concrete on set walls. 8. Create a scaled diagram or blueprint of a set piece from a thumbnail sketch and/or detailed artistic concept drawing. a. Define the terms used in producing conceptual drawings and blueprints for set construction. b. Identify basic design and function of the conceptual drawings, mood boards, blueprints for set construction. c. Use a thumbnail sketch and/or detailed artistic concept drawing to draft a blueprint and build an architectural model for a film/TV piece. 9. Construct a set. a. Calculate the type and amount of materials needed to build a predetermined set construction project. b. Erect flats, jacks, and other set pieces for a film/TV set. c. Apply paints and texture to set pieces, including trim and floor. d. Build props. 10. Explain what the art department does during a production and after wrap. 11. De-construct set. 12. Return all set decoration and props. 13. Repurpose or dispose of materials. 14. Clear studio/stage.