OBJECTS I WANT TO PUT ON SET

Candlesticks by Stephen Johnson

Recycled Sweater Knit Pillows

Piet Hein Eek Wallpaper of Antique Wood

BEAUTIFUL WORK: UK VOGUE

PIRATES!! MOVIE I'M DYING TO SEE: PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

The New Pirates of Caribbean Trailer came out for the fourth film in the series: Pirates of the Carri bean: On Stranger Tides!

You get a good look at the usual character of Johnny Depp & Geoffrey Rush looking for the Fountain of Youth, but also Penelope Cruz & Ian McShane's characters, plus mermaids!

Pics all property of Disney

Movie I'm Excited to See: Black Swan

 Black Swan designed by Thérèse DePrez

Director Darren Aronofsky starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, & Vincent Cassel

The combination of this cast & crew with high design eye candy, ballet & feathers already makes it a hit for me! Below is a featurette that just came out on the production design of this movie. It's just a quick little blurb with not as much detail as I would have liked, but nonetheless its rare to get this.

Cookie Monster tries out for SNL

It still never gets old even after becoming old. I still love Sesame Street! I once filmed on the old soundstage where they shot at Astoria-Kaufman studios in Queens, NY (they moved upstairs a couple of years ago in the same location), but the old floor is still there!! I walked where Snuffleupagus did!! Sigh.  It's the little things....

You can never go wrong with Couture

I actually gasped when I saw this spread!! I NEED it in a film I'm working on! So dramatic! Uhhhhmazing intricate work!! They are from Vogue Russia's December issue. Model Ashley Smith wearing Atelier Versace, Valentino Haute Couture, Chanel, Gaultier.  Photographed by Sharif Hamza.

Art Department Tip: Foaming at the Mouth

Watch out!! They spit.

You need something fake to foam at the mouth? Try KY Jelly & alka seltzer. Need a human to foam at the mouth? White toothpaste + baking soda + carbonated water. Do not swallow unless you want a stomach ache!!

Happy Thanksgiving my US readers!

Yes! I get this excited over food!! Hope you had a good Thanksgiving to my US readers!!

Under My Umbrella

Image Credit: Adam Rose/Fox

They did Umbrella by Rihanna/Singing in the Rain mashup tonight on Glee with Gwyneth Paltrow. The water dancing was gorgeous. I am creating something similar now, but the cheaper version.  I am praying nothing will leak everywhere. Fingers crossed. Enjoy!

Dog Poop in LA-Nothing to do with Film

I have recently migrated to LA for the next 2 months to work on a film and the giant difference I've noticed is the inability of people to curb their dog (also the way the women dress when going out, but that's a whole other posting)! I've even seen the bag full on the sidewalk. This not only creates problems walking, but has attracted a population of an excess of flies. The flies are EVERYWHERE! Los Angeles needs to do a giant bombing from the air of insecticide all because you can't pick up your dog's poop & throw it in the garbage. I forget to look where I'm going & WHAM! I step in it. I have to move over on a sidewalk, but I can't cause there's poop!

Fear #2 of Art Department: Getting Hurt

Cause Polar Bears Can Read

It's easy to get hurt when working around a lot of power tools, knives, or being up on ladders, ect. It doesn't help that I am klutzy as it is. I've dropped antiques, tripped over cords and lights, fallen down over a rolled up carpet, fallen off ladders, fallen down stairs and up, and cut myself multiple times, but thank goodness I haven't broken anything that would take me out of work because in my really below-the-line world, there is no union workman's comp. or disability. When I'm injured and immobile, then they get someone else; I don't get paid. That's why I try to be extremely careful. I freaked myself out when I fell down on top a spade that I was holding and injured my neck, leaving me immobile for a good couple of days. Thank goodness I was not working at the time and had taken the time off for a reason. But in a world where my eyesight, legs and arms are worth gold, I proceed with caution!

Sherlock Holmes 2 has started filming!!

Sherlock Holmes 2 with Guy Ritchie directing starring Jude Law & Robert Downey, Jr. has started filming! I enjoyed the first one so I'm excited. The movies I watch need to entertain me.  I love a horse and buggy in a film and since its in England, their prop houses don't have replicas, but the real thing! Items found from a country that's been a thousand years collecting. I look forward to that day when I get to work there! Soon! (fingers crossed).

Marilyn Monroe's Makeup Secrets

Kandee is one of my favorite bloggers & I hope to work with her one day on set! That said she wrote a fascinating post about Marilyn Monroe's makeup techniques and what makeup she wore. Interesting to keep in mind....

Fear #1 of Art Department: FORGETTING SOMETHING

My #1 fear that happens in my job is forgetting something that the Director or DP has requested. It shows unprofessionalism & disorganization. I recheck things 3 times the night before to make sure everything is all set for the next day, but if it wasn't written down or not in the script and later than added by just a suggestion & they don't get it...well it is a grumpy day on set.

I do have the frame of mind that we are NOT doing surgery. There is no patient on the table--if something is missing or wrong, that involves shouting, otherwise the problem can be solved because there is always Time (or they'll just have to deal without it). It will cost more, but there is Time (and a fabulous crew). Phew.

Questions to ask at an Interview??

I've recently contemplated what are good questions to ask to determine someone's character. This applies to any job. Is there anyway to tell if the people that are hiring you are douches? Because I've come across a couple of classy directors recently and I wish there had been some warning signs.

Maybe these could help:

-Are you a hands-on person on set?

-Do you want to continue this position in the future?

-What is the most important part of this film to you?

-How much is your budget for art dept. & is my pay included? (which I already ask & there are warning signs of shiftiness like "well....blah,blah, blah.)

-what is your film background?

-why'd you choose this script/film?

Any others you can think of? I'd love feedback!!!

Art Department Fear # 5: Things Falling Down

It happens to everyone. The tape gets too hot from the lights and the object falls down. You've seen the video of the Pirates of the Caribbean bloopers with props errors. Now it even happens to the President of the United States. His seal fell of the podium. Whoopsies. Seeeeee now I feel better! Mr. set decorator of the White House thank you for making me feel less stressed!!

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Harry Potter has been an important part of my career. No, I never got to work on the films, but it is why I started in art department. I stopped my major in college and changed to set design. I even did my thesis on it. I admire Stuart Craig greatly, so when seeing this trailer and knowing that it is finished filming, I couldn't help but tear up a little. I know I'll bawl like a baby at the last one. It is bittersweet...I'll never get to work on them, but it is the best decision I've ever made and hope to one day work with him and his crew. How many production designers have a theme park made from their designs?! Maybe I'll be next? We can dream...

Enjoy!

Changes

source: anne darling

I stopped this blog for awhile because I didn't like where it was going. It wasn't as personal as I liked and it was exhausting trying to keep up with news and things. I just didn't have time. I'd like to talk more about my personal experiences as this blogger does, who I highly enjoy and read reguarly, but sometimes it does not apply to my department. So, we'll see where it goes for now....