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Name: Ann Davis
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Scenic Artist for Stolen Summer
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What attracted you to the Entertainment Industry, and what was your first job or big break in the business?
The ability to reach a wide audience through the art of storytelling - which combines many different crafts.
What is the biggest challenge you faced trying to break into the industry, and how did you overcome it?
Often labels are given to those people who are very dynamic- and patience must be kept in order to learn all that a person needs to absorb to fulfill their potential as an artist.
What advice can you give those trying to break into the "industry?"
Have faith that your art has a purpose. Put the important things first- (family, inner life) Do not quit. Be able to be flexible. Keep your "art" with you at all times so if you get an idea you can jot it down or do a quick thumbnail sketch.
Please describe your job for those who might not know what a Scenic Artist is.
A Scenic Artist works on a large scale to create an environment that looks good in screen format- or in theatrical scale. They work must often work quickly to change a chosen locale into the desired style. A scenic works with paint- wallpaper, wood- trim- chemicals- whatever it takes to transform the set. We often are trained in other disciplines so that these overlap- such as building, designing, or even storyboarding. Typically though- most scenics specialize in faux finishing, - aging- and remodeling techniques- as well as large detail work such as murals.
Can you share any tricks of the trade that help you work faster/cheaper/better?
Do your research. If you know a professional who has a quicker answer- seek them out. Know chemicals- techniques- materials- and how they work together. Know and be able to perform a great variety of things. Be able to estimate exactly who will do the job, what the job entails, when it takes place and must be done, and where it is. All of these things are logistical. Then put the inspiration and art to work. Be healthy and energetic. Make wise choices that carry over into professional life. Be able to make an informed design choice and stick to it. Indecision costs time as well as money. Network among many different groups- not just entertainment professionals.
Please illustrate the way the performance of your position can help or hurt a movie. Name a movie that you've seen (or worked on) that we could view and understand the difference between a good job and a bad job.
The visual arts are important to me- and there are so many ways of combining these now. I would say the best I have seen in terms of visual creativity overseen by one person - in the last year would be Moulin Rouge. The woman that did the costumes as well as scenery was very gifted in being able to conceptualize and then fulfill the vision of that movie. That is a difficult question to answer because nowadays we have so many ways of being able to make a shot look better through computer work or even the cinematographer's choices. The best example I can give of bad scenery would be in the fifties- Ed Wood's version Plan 9 From Outer Space. Therefore the location is important. This film was shot in a space that was 30'-0" long by 5'-0" or 6'-0" wide.
Are you a writer, and if so, how many screenplays have you written?
I write- but in regards to observations made that are personal.
What's the best lesson you've learned in regards to working in Hollywood?
We can't make anything more beautiful than 5 a.m. in the country.
Integrity is important. The real thing. You take a job and you get it done and done well. Integrity is also different than "face". There is a way to be unselfish but not selfless. You can learn other people's lessons- or you can learn your own - so find your gift and don't let it go.
What advice would you give a director on how to make production easier?
To understand that all production staff as a whole are hands which will create a whole if respected and communication is open. I would say flexibility and decisiveness are imperative and the ability to understand the situation as a whole.
List your top 5 favorite films
- Wings of Desire- Wim Wenders
- Cool Hand Luke
- Dancer in the Dark
- Life is Beautiful
- Waiting for Guffman- because he has a point here.
- The Usual Suspects
**Please feel free to add other comments here
The above question is not answerable.
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