Production Design: Courtney Lang

In film and television, a production designer is the person responsible for the overall look of a filmed event such as films, TV programs, music videos or adverts. Production designers have one of the key creative roles in the creation of motion pictures and television. Working directly with the director and producer, they must select the settings and style to visually tell the story. Previously the people with the same responsibilities were called "art directors.” Production Designers are major heads of department on film crews, and are responsible for the entire Art Department. They play a crucial role in helping Directors to achieve the film's visual requirements, and provide Producers with carefully calculated schedules which offer possible ways of making films within agreed budgets and specified periods of time.

Filming locations may range from an orderly Victorian parlour, to a late-night café, to the interior of an alien space ship. The look of a set or location is vital in drawing the audience into the story, and is an essential element in making a film convincing. A lot of work and imagination goes into constructing an appropriate backdrop to any story and into selecting or constructing appropriate locations and sets. Directors of Photography and Production Designers are largely responsible for informing and realising the Director's vision. Production Designers begin work at the very early stages of pre-production and are requested by the Director or Producer. They work on a freelance basis, and may have to prepare detailed drawings and specifications in order to pitch for work on a number of productions before they are offered work on one of them. Although the work can be very demanding and the hours long, this is one of the most highly skilled, creatively fulfilling roles within the film industry.

From early in pre-production, the production designer collaborates with the director and director of photography to establish the visual feel and specific aesthetic needs of the project. Production Designers may be asked to look at scripts before a Director is approached, to provide estimates of the projected Art Department spend on films. When Production Designers first read a screenplay, they assess the visual qualities that will help to create atmosphere and bring the story to life. After preparing a careful breakdown of the script, they meet with the Director to discuss how best to shoot the film, e.g. to decide: whether to use sets or locations; what should be built and what should be adapted; whether there is a visual theme that recurs throughout the film; whether there are certain design elements that may give an emotional or psychological depth to the film; whether CGI (computer generated imagery) should be used. Production Designers must calculate the budgets, and decide how the money and effort will be spent. These discussions are followed by an intense period of research during which Production Designers and their Specialist Researchers source ideas from books, photographs, paintings, the internet, etc. The production designer guides key staff in other departments such as the costume designer, the key hair and make-up stylists, the special effects director and the locations manager to establish a combined visual appearance to the film.

Production Designers must have expert knowledge of many art and design related subjects including draughtsmanship, technical drawing, colour theory, architecture, building and construction, history of design, interior design, cameras and lenses, lighting, etc. Production Designers must also have full knowledge of computer budgeting software and computer aided design programmes (CADS). The "art department" is a group of people who work with the production designer to implement the scenic elements of that vision. The art director supervises set construction and painting, as well as modifications to existing locations, such as changing signs or installing new carpet. An art director has specialists reporting to them including the construction department, which includes carpenters, painters, plasterers, prop makers, landscapers, sign painters, and scenic artists. The set decorator finds decorative items for the sets such as furniture, wallpaper, knick-knacks and lighting fixtures. Set dressers bring the items to the set, arrange furniture, hang curtains and "dress" the set. A property master coordinates with the production designer, but also works closely with the director and actors to provide the items directly handled by the actors such as newspapers and weapons. The prop crew, along with an on-set dresser, maintain the integrity of the production designer's vision during the shoot and manipulate the items for the camera.

Production DesignLocation: London (Everywhere)

Set Design: We have many locations throughout our music video. For our party scene we had to set up and design how we wanted our party to look. We used a pool table with alcohol, cigarettes and random things thrown everywhere.

Tangle wood forest Harrow Wealdstone high street Harrow weald cemetery Canons park Harrow college Irfaat’s house

Props: Michael Jackson costume Redbull Rum Icing powder Pool table Cigarettes Lighter Poker Playing cards Shoes Glass Shot glasses Flowers Beer bottles Fridge Makeup Paper and pen Cans

Special Fx Cross fade for music Blink video effect for writing Strobe for writing Slow motion Fast motion Split screen Fade in for music and shots Fade out for music and shots Dissolve for music

Lighting: Throughout our production we have mainly been filming outside therefore we have not needed any additional light other then the natural light. However in the party scenes at the beginning of our music video it was quite dark so we used a Lilliput light to add some extra light which makes the party seem livelier.

Use of colour: We used a lot of bright colours throughout our music video to fit in with our Dancehall theme and also to depict to the audience that everyone is happy and cheerful.