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Name: Devorah
Username: devorah
Hometown: L.A. via N.Y.C
Occupation: Production Designer
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What attracted you to the Entertainment Industry, and what was your first job or big break in the business?
I come from a family full of artists (my mom's an artist and my dad was an architect), so it felt natural to go into Fine Arts - I chose the Entertainment Industry because, A. It's collaborative and, B. I saw a play by Andre Serban in 1992 and decided to go into theatre.
You can reach a wide audience with your work.
What is the biggest challenge you faced trying to break into the industry, and how did you overcome it?
Inexperience. It's a catch-22. You need to have experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. I overcame it by designing small projects for free so that I could get a portfolio together to show people that I was capable of designing films.
What advice can you give those trying to break into the "industry?"
Figure out what you want to do (i.e. which part of the industry you want to break into) and then be as ambitious and persistent as you can without crossing into obnoxious territory. Ask for help but use it wisely - if someone gives you a break, repay them by doing a great job. Be willing to work for free to learn the ropes. Be nice (play well with others, talent is only 1/2 of the game - the rest is relationships).
Please describe your job for those who might not know what a Production Designer is.
The production designer creates the visual environment of the film - she designs the sets, from the carpet and wallpaper down to the plates in the sink. She works with the director to decide on the look and feel of the film and then works to create a visual track for the film. On a naturalistic drama like "Stolen Summer," a big part of my job will be to create a palette that is evocative of the '70s and to create environments that visually show who the characters are.
Can you share any tricks of the trade that help you work faster/cheaper/better?
Cheaper: Product placement, product placement, product placement. Convince people to give you things for free in exchange for a special thanks credit in the film. This applies to everyone from corporations to local businesses.
Faster: Hire a good crew. This is your best timesaving tactic.
Better: Do tons of visual research as early in the process as possible.
Are you a writer, and if so, how many screenplays have you written?
Yes, one.
What's the best lesson you've learned in regards to working in Hollywood?
Relationships are everything. It's a small town so first impressions will probably be your most important impression. In other words, you reputation will be established on your fist job. Be honest, work hard and treat people well.
What advice would you give to writers on how to craft a script that addresses practical production issues?
I would not advise a writer to worry about practical production issues while writing a script. I would advise a writer to write a great script and worry about practical production issues later.
What advice would you give a director on how to make production easier?
1. Learn and as much as you can about what each department does so that you can really understand all of the issues involved in making a movie as they come up.
2. Have a clear and strong vision - be as decisive and flexible as you can .
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