Chat with Rob Nagy (Set Designer)
Please welcome Rob Nagy who has been working as Set Designer in Film and TV since 2014.
From working on his most known project (3 Seasons of Stranger Things) to the most enjoyable project (Like a Boss), he gives a snapshot into the life and responsibilities of a Set Designer.
Before coming to Atlanta to work in Film, Rob was an Architect in New York. He and his wife were looking for a career and life change. Rob utilized his personal network to find a friend of a friend who worked in film. She was a Set Designer; ironically leaving the film industry due to feeling burnt out and corrupted by the tough work environment. Despite any reservations, they met up for coffee and she helped Rob find his first job as an Art PA (Production Assistant).
I shared how one of the first ADs (Assistant Director) I met warned me against working in the film industry and to “get out now.” I was determined and was an Extra on the feature film he was one, simply to score an interview to be a PA. I was hired that week.
Being an Extra is not a bad way to network and learn film life. Check out:
There is a mix of good and bad shows. The worst ones you’re constantly grinding at work and feeling super stressed trying to meet deadlines.
Being a local Set Designer in Atlanta is a high demand craft. Often, Art Departments will need to hire additional Set Designers to design sets before filming. If none are available, that usually meant Rob worked overtime and weekends.
Art Department Breakdown:
Production Designer: is the head of the Art Department. He or she sets the vision of the film and works closely with the Director and Producers. They are often making paint, flooring, and material selections appropriate for the look and feel of a set.
Art Director: Helps run the Art Department and is a key liaison to other departments. He or she determines the budget and manages the workflow. They also manage expectations for what is possible within the schedule and budget.
Assistant Art Director: Assists the Art Director and helps source specialty materials. Will often create work lists per set.
Set Designer: A drafter. Helps to translate the Production Designer’s vision into a technical plan to be built.
Graphic Designer: Designs any graphic the needs to be produced. This is a big job with lots of last minute asks.
Art Department Coordinator: Helps manage the department and is a liaison to other departments as well.
Art PA: Assists the department with a variety of tasks and often does a lot of runs.
Some TERMS we discussed:
Plug: Used to shorten a space for camera.
Flat: Setting an end point to a set. It could be a design at the end of a hallway.
Wild Wall: A wall that can be moved so camera can have greater access to the set.
TIPS:
Drawing details in a set is very important in making it more realistic. Whatever is on the plan is what gets built, so the details really matter.
Film is very fast paced. A single set is usually built in 3 weeks or less. Which was surprising compared to the slower pace in Architecture. The design process is different too. A film Set Designer does not need to concern themselves with HVAC, plumbing, electrical code, or city permitting guidelines.
Be sure to over communicate as a lot can go wrong quickly due to miscommunication or lack of direction.
Rob mentioned how fulfilling it is to see something he designed come to life.
Many set materials are combustible, nothing is meant to last long.
The first show Rob worked on was Selma where he worked as an Art PA. He did a lot of surveying of locations and was expected to perform many personal tasks. Despite any ups or downs, he was very excited to be getting paid to work in film.
After Selma, Rob did another show as Art PA, and then he was offered a gig to work as a Set Designer on a feature film.
Working as a Set Designer required him to join the film Union. In Atlanta, that is IATSE 479. This involved fees, a residency requirement, and letters of recommendation from current union members in good standing.
A word of caution when joining a union: you need to be ready for the higher position. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you will be quickly replaced.
TOOLS
Common software that Set Designers use are: AutoCad (common for 2D drafting), SketchUp (common for 3D modeling), Rhino, and Fusion. Rob mostly uses SketchUp now.
Before film, Rob shared a bit about working as an Architect. It was a salaried position with no paid overtime, despite weekend work, and long hours. The sentiment was, “Be happy you’re working and have a job.”
One good aspect of working in film is the Union protects your pay and hours.
Here is an example of one of Rob’s Set Design drawings of a set:
TECH SCOUT
A Tech Scout is when all department heads take a day or two to travel to each location and stage to discuss the plan to film the scenes within the space and department needs. The Art Department creates Tech Scout Packets to be distributed to all attendees on a scout. Putting together the packet is mainly a compilation of overhead plans drawn by the Set Designer and in some cases, aerial views.
Rob as a Screenwriter
Rob started writing in New York as a sketch comedy writer.
Currently, he is working on a Sci-Fi, mystery feature film where the characters live in storage units. The protagonist is a Chinese American woman who survives an accident that should have killed her and she loses her memory. Through DNA tracing, the detectives discover she works at a genetics company. The story seeks to unravel her past and what is going to happen to her.
Rob shared one of the more difficult aspects of writing is embodying a well fleshed out character. At the end of the day, focus on writing a good story. Be sure to have an interesting hook early to draw the viewer in.
Rob really enjoys indie and art house films. He wants to create a micro budget feature film. He writes keeping in mind the budget and how to save money.
COVID-19
As the world was shutting down due to the pandemic, film also shut down very abruptly. For both of us, we were alerted over a weekend that we’d need to wrap up on Monday and we’d be on a hiatus until further notice.
Some Productions are slowly starting back up in August/September. Fortunately, some positions can work remotely. Any in-person positions require regular COVID-19 testing. Everyone is required to wear a mask, wash hands often, sanitize often, social distance as much as possible, and there are more physical barriers to prevent contamination. Keep in mind to sanitize any shareable items. Despite wearing a mask, remember to hydrate. Wearing a mask makes you hotter and it is harder to breathe. Take care. Everyone needs to do their part to ensure a safe work environment.
Parting Comments
Rob had a great transferable skill of knowing design to go from Architecture to being a Set Designer in Film and TV. For anyone looking to transition into film from another industry, Rob says “Just do it!” Have confidence you have the skillset. He does advise to start off as an Art PA because the speed, lingo, vendors, and the way things are built is different. Embrace the learning curve.
Reach out to your current network to see who may know someone in film. When you discover someone, do some research on them before reaching out. The IATSE 479 roster also has every crew member listed by name, department, and contact information. There are some good Facebook Groups to join as well. Keep building a digital networking. Start by building rapport and opportunities will arise.
