David King's Blog February 26th 2007
It's been a tough couple weeks. I've been working on an independent feature, and have only had a couple days off, during which time I had to take care of all my personal business (bills, kids, etc.) as well as try to rest and recharge to be ready for work. This is one of the challenges of working in the business. Anyway, I've chosen to focus this blog on working as an on-set dresser, which is what I was doing on the last project I was on. David King talks about Working as an On-Set Dresser In the art department, the on-set dresser stays on the set, and works closely with the director, the 1st assistant director, and the script supervisor. As an on-set dresser, you take your cues from the director and the 1st assistant director. During filming, the director and the 1st A.D. will ask for different things to make shots work. From needing furniture to be moved, to paintings needing to be adjusted, to spaces needing to be filled in the frame of the camera, the on-set dresser stays pretty busy. Many times there will be more than one on-set dresser, depending on how big the scene is, or how big the production is. Ideally, the on-set dresser is in constant contact with the leadman, or with someone else in the art department who is near the art department staging area, and can quickly get whatever the on-set dresser needs when he or she asks for something. David King and what the On-Set Dresser means Being the on-set dresser means paying attention to detail, remaining on the set for long hours, being able to think and act quickly, and being aware of what's happening in the scene being shot at all times. It's pretty obvious why the on-set dresser needs to be in close to the director and 1st A.D., but some may not realize the importance of the script supervisor in assisting the on-set dresser. The script supervisor is one of the positions that has to be concerned with continuity. Continuity is important because many times a shot is filmed over and over again, and it's important that every take looks the same, especially when there are a lot of things occurring in one shot. For example, if there is a school cafeteria scene, every actor must have reasonably the same amount of food on their plates from take to take. Every actor who had a backpack on, must have the same backpack on when that shot is redone, or when they move on to the next shot, which may take place in the same day in the script. David King and Making Friends with the Script Supervisor Many times these shots are not done on the same day, or at the same time, so the script supervisor, the on-set dresser, the prop master, and the 1st A.D. should be constantly checking for continuity. Ultimately, the script supervisor is responsible for shot continuity, but all those positions tend to be aware of it. So as an on-set dresser, it's good to make friends with the script supervisor, because he/she can definitely aid in keeping things running smoothly. Also, keep a camera, either a digital, or a Polaroid to take set pictures, this is essential for continuity as well. Until next time...adieu.
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