The Art Direction Handbook for Film

351 Pages·2005·14.55 MB·English

by  Michael Rizzo

The Art Direction
Handbook for Film

The Art Direction
Handbook for Film
Michael Rizzo
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Rizzo, Michael.
The art direction handbook for film / Michael Rizzo.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-240-80680-8 (alk. paper)
1. Motion pictures—Art direction—Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Title.
PN1995.9.A74R58 2005
791.4302¢5—dc22
2005040563
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 13: 978-0-240-80680-8
ISBN: 10: 0-240-80680-8
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Contents
Preface xiii
Acknowledgements xv
SECTION I: Pre-Production Process 1
Chapter 1: Introduction 3
• Clarification 3
• Some History: Wilfred Buckland 6
• Past Changes 9
• Present Changes 12
• Digital Competition 12
• Typecasting: A Fuller Picture 13
• Two Paths 17
(cid:2) Design Managers: The Lifers 17
(cid:2) Production Designers-in-Embryo 17
Chapter 2: The Responsibilities, The Relationships, and the Setup 21
• Hierarchy of Responsibilities 21
(cid:2) First Responsibilities 21
(cid:2) Second Responsibilities 23
(cid:2) Third Responsibilities 24
(cid:2) Fourth Responsibilities 26
• The Relationships 27
(cid:2) Art Department 27
(cid:2) Interdepartmental PR 28
(cid:3) Head Accountant and Staff 28
(cid:3) Locations Manager and Staff 29
(cid:3) UPM, Production Supervisor, and Production Office Staff 30
(cid:3) First Assistant Director and Staff 31
(cid:3) Previsualization Supervisor and Staff 32
• Art Department Setup 32
(cid:2) Art Department Coordinator 33
(cid:2) Archivist 35
(cid:2) Digital Artists 36
vii
viii The Art Direction Handbook for Film
(cid:2) Set Designers 37
(cid:2) Set Decorator 37
(cid:2) Greensman 37
(cid:2) Prop Master 38
(cid:2) Construction Coordinator 38
(cid:2) Mechanical Special Effects 39
(cid:2) Stunts 39
(cid:2) Visual Effects and Previsualization 39
(cid:2) Transportation 40
Chapter 3: The Design Process 43
• Locations Department and Scouting 43
(cid:2) First Scouts 43
(cid:2) Second Scouts 46
(cid:2) Third Scouts 48
(cid:2) Fourth Scouts 48
(cid:2) Fifth Scouts 49
• Beginning the Design Process 49
• Research 53
• Storyboarding 59
• Animatics 59
• Concept Illustrating 68
• Computer Modeling 68
• White Models 73
• Hand Drafting 74
• Designing for the Lens 78
(cid:2) Lenses 101 79
(cid:2) Aspect Ratio 79
(cid:2) Perspective 101 84
(cid:2) Lens Test 84
Chapter 4: A Legacy of Historical Techniques 87
• Painted Glass 88
• Gate Matting 90
• The Process Camera 95
• Traveling Mattes 98
• Miniatures 101
(cid:2) Hanging Foreground Miniature 102
(cid:2) Foreground Miniature 104
(cid:2) Cutouts: A Variation on Miniatures 105
(cid:2) Forced Perspective 106
(cid:2) Mobile Miniatures 108
• Front Projection 110
• Rear Projection and Mirrors 115
Contents ix
Chapter 5: CGI and Digital Filmmaking 119
• Breaking Ground 119
• Conversations on the Visionary Frontier 120
(cid:2) Alex McDowell 120
(cid:2) Colin Green 128
(cid:2) Doug Chiang 131
• The Cutting Edge 133
Chapter 6: The Physical Scenery Process: Construction 137
• Interior Sets 138
• Exterior Sets 150
• Vendors 164
(cid:2) Studio Facilities 164
(cid:2) Rental Backings 165
(cid:2) Industry Source Listings 166
Chapter 7: Mechanical Effects: A Practical Guide 169
• Clarification 169
• Specialty Props and Animatronics 179
SECTION II: Production and Post-Production Processes 187
Chapter 8: Paperwork and Production Tasks 189
• The Onset of Principal Photography 189
(cid:2) Production Meetings 189
• The Schedule and Lists 190
(cid:2) Script Breakdown 190
(cid:2) One-Liner Schedule 194
(cid:2) Shooting Schedule 194
(cid:2) Day Out of Days 194
(cid:2) Call Sheet 197
(cid:2) Cell Phone and Pager List 197
• Director’s Plans 197
• Art Department Production Tasks 197
(cid:2) Clearances and Product Placement 200
(cid:2) Keeping Ahead of the Camera 200
(cid:2) On-Set Presence 200
(cid:2) Cover Sets 203
(cid:2) Communication with the Trinity 203
(cid:2) Telling the Truth 204
• Art Department Tactical Strategy 204
(cid:2) Handling Changes 204
(cid:2) Vendors 205