Production Design Meeting

Thursday night was another great night of inspiring talks from women in film doing what they love. Be sorry if you missed it. (I’m sorry if you did.) The best thing about these meetings is always the candidness of our special guests’ stories. Costume Designer Amy Maner and Set Decorator Jeanette Scott weren’t any different. They didn’t just list all of the technical aspects of their jobs, but rather, they infused their dialogues with colorful anecdotes ranging from a phone call with Dennis Quaid to “that one time” after a 22-hour straight shift ended in an abandoned, gasless, car on the side of the road.

While both Scott and Maner talked about the technical sides of their jobs, there’s no question that they love what they do. Scott gushed that one of the greatest benefits of being a Set Decorator is the prep work involving meeting people and immersing yourself in their culture. Whether it be talking with some fishermen who make old wooden boats or having dinner with some town locals as you research the set location, the prep work that a Set Decorator gets to conduct is a highlight of the job and an integral aspect, too. Scott notes that the number one rule to remember when doing your research and creating a set is to ask yourself, is this in service to the story being told? She says that while it can be tempting to choose things you really love or things that “look cool,” ultimately, everything has to be authentic and integral to developing the story. (When you see “The Tree of Life” in theaters next month, take note of the minimally decorated—and authentic-looking—50s style living room. Know that that’s how Scott the job.) Less is sometimes more.

Not necessarily for Maner, though, who likes to juggle an array of jobs. Whether it be costume designing, supervising, buying, directing or acting, Maner keeps herself busy by switching it up a bit on the work front and always staying plugged in to various projects. She encouraged students to do the same, agreeing with Scott that first step is getting your foot in the door and the easiest way to do that is to intern. Interning, says Maner, is a great way to make connections and stay plugged in. On that note, Maner that if you want to work for her, you have to know C Plot Pro, a software program that breaks down a script scene by scene and is something she refers to as "the Bible" for Costume Designers. Keeping up with scenes and sizes, budget and time frame, and keeping actors happy and corresponding with the art directors and the film’s director can be exhausting, but Maner’s passion and energy for her job seem to make it look relatively breezy. Geographically speaking, she’s also in a good place that enables her to do it.

Something both ladies agreed on was the benefit of living in Austin as a film devotee. As opposed to LA, for example, “Austin is nurturing…it’s really a town that is in love with film,” said Scott. Maner agreed, saying it is “an honor” to live here. Hear that, Hollywood? You’ve got some competition.

The thing that really struck me (for the 1040^th time and may or may not have gotten me a little misty-eyed as senior on the verge of graduation) was toward the end of the meeting when both guests were encouraging all of us to find our passion, and “do something that makes [us] smile.” If these two ladies aren’t living out the adage of doing something you love and never working a day in your life, then I don’t know who is. On the note of being passionate about your work, Scott shared a story that a professor had told her daughter: this professor mused that so many people say certain fields are too competitive and odds are slim that you’ll be that one successful person in your field…but why not you? If you have that passion and you work hard, why can’t you be the person that is crazy successful in your chosen field?

So find your bliss, the thing (or things) that make(s) you smile, work hard, stay plugged in, and go be crazy successful, y’all. Why not you?

Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Meetings

This week (4/7):

This Thursday is screening/workshop night. We will be showing two short films and reading two short scripts. These meetings are about sharing and giving caring feedback to fellow filmmakers in our warm, friendly atmosphere. It’s got good energy, people. (And might I add, it’s free entertainment…) Take a break from your studying and come celebrate the fact that, come Thursday, there are only four weeks and one day of classes left.

Not next week, but NEXT next week (4/21):

It’s our Art Department/Production Design meeting with special guests Jeanette Scott and Amy Maner. We’re lucky to have these gals! If you haven’t been to one of our meetings featuring guest speakers, you’re missing out, kids. They’ve got stories that you won’t find in textbooks and invaluable first-person advice. (We will also be celebrating the fact that there are only TWO weeks and one day of classes left.)

Jeanette Scott is pretty much the go-to Set Decorator on the big films that come to town “and then some,” as Kat Candler says. Her resume includes “Cedar Rapids,” “Grindhouse,” “Sin City” (also served as Art Director), “Man of the House,” “Spy Kids,” “Double Jeopardy,” “Selena” and most recently, “The Tree of Life,” starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn. Scott, a UT psychology grad, has been decorating sets for about 30 years.

Amy Maner wears many hats: actress, writer, director, producer and costumer. She has served as Costume Supervisor on notable feature films such as “8 Seconds,” “Miss Congeniality,” “Stop Loss,” “Push,” “Spy Kids,” “Shorts,” “The Ringer,” and “Fireflies in the Garden.” “Her Lubbock Lights,” Maner’s documentary on her hometown’s rich music heritage, premiered at SXSW in 2003 and has played festivals all over the world, collecting accolades along the way. Currently, Maner is in pre-production as Associate Producer on “The Broken,” slated for release in 2012.

Also, at this meeting we will be discussing more details concerning our Summer Production Camp. Mark your calendars; it’s going to be a good one!