Becoming a Theater Set Designer

Theater designers, also known as set designers, are responsible for producing sets and costumes. This involves working in a team with directors and lighting designers. Television designers create the setting within which the action takes place - in a drama or a game show. They have to create the right mood, style, period, and location for the program.

The Job:

Theater designers need a thorough understanding of period settings and costumes. They must appreciate what will work well on stage and take into account different settings, such as the proscenium arch or theater-in-the-round. Theater designers read the script and produce sketches of costumes and plans that the wardrobe department and scenery department will work from. They must know what action takes place so that they can place doors and stairs in the appropriate place. They also make a scale model of the proposed sets, which members of the cast use in conjunction with chalked marks on the stage until the full-sized set is ready.

The work of a television designer is more complex, since the set will be seen clearly from a number of angles by viewers at home. The designer, therefore, has to produce an illusion that will look good in close-up and which is safe for people to work in. Television designers need knowledge of the history of art and architecture and they may have to carry out considerable research before starting work on a set.

Apart from thawing plans and making scale models, television designers choose wallpaper, paint, and props. They may order props or make them. When it has been built by contractors, designers dress the set, position ornaments, and hang curtains.

While filming is taking place, designers must be on hand to ensure continuity. This is difficult when scenes are recorded out of order, but designers take notes or photographs. They discuss camera shots with directors, since they may need to incorporate camera traps into a set. Where filming takes place out of the studio, designers usually help to find locations and may ensure that shots are not marred by TV aerials in, for example, a period drama.

Designers must be able to establish and maintain good working relationships. They need to be able to work under pressure and keep to deadlines and strict budget constraints. No job in television or the theater offers a 9 to 5 routine, and people working in the industry must be able to demonstrate total commitment, traveling extensively and coping with the stress of a competitive environment.

Training Involved:

It may be possible to get a start in back stage work in a theater without formal qualifications but most theater/television designers have completed a full-time degree or diploma course at a college, university or specialized art school. Entry requirements are usually based on students' portfolios, their performance at interviews, and a good academic record.

Courses in theater design may include designing working drawings and an introduction to lighting and sound design. Few television companies offer training but expect applicants to have relevant previous experience, such as interior design, architecture, stage design, or 3D design. It is important to understand how the television industry is organized locally in order to be able to make the most appropriate approaches.

Useful Qualifications to Have:

Useful subjects include: English, art, technical drawing, history of art, drama, and film studies.

Salary Expectations:

The base salary range of a Theater Set Designer ranges from $35,984 to $53,108 annually, while the median salary for most Theater Set Designers is $43,892 annually. (US Base Pay)

Future Prospects:

Jobs in television or the theater are not numerous. Applicants need good academic qualifications, good personal contacts, and evidence of commitment. Many designers have no job security and are offered only short-term contracts.

With the growth in satellite and global television networks, this has become a fast changing industry with no set career paths. There is a high degree of overlap between jobs in television and many staff and freelancers must be able to work in many roles.

Computer-aided design (CAD) is replacing drawings of sets and enables directors to plan accurate perspectives of shots.

For further information, contact a major theater or broadcasting companies.