July 9th, 2009
Having worked as Art Director / Set Dresser on a couple of short independent films recently, it’s an area of film making that I am very keen to pursue. I have learnt a lot, and one of the things I have learnt is what essential kit I should keep on me.
A lot of them are things that are essential, like scissors and tape, as well as items that are useful for creating certain effects, like aging or greasing up. Most of them are fairly obvious, some are a little bit random, but the idea is that I will keep adding to the list as I come across more useful tools.
This is both for me, as a handy reminder of what to bring, and for aspiring Art Directors who may find it useful.
- Tape – sellotape, gaffer tape, double sided tape
- Marker pens – all colours – white board markers and permanent.
- Tea bags & hot water – for aging things (and for a cheeky tea break!)
- Steel Wool – for roughing edges, removing rust
- Printer – may need to print off signs, graphics, etc.
- Laptop
- Safety pins
- Needle and threads
- Blue Tac
- Paper – various colours and styles
- Knife – pen knife or equivelent
- Insect repellent (as I discovered recently)
- Black and Brown dirt powder – you can purchase this
- Pencils
- Scissors
- Pens
- Ruler
- Glue
- String
- Crocodile clips
- Umbrella – keep your kit dry!
- Sandpaper
- Grease / Oil
- Wire Brush
- Cheese Grater – I recently saw a costume designer roughing up clothes and shoes with a cheese grater.