Items in red are bonus documents.
a. Introduction
a. 4 step guide to finding your first job in props and set design
b. How a set is created
c. Overview of the Art Department
d. Overview of the Set Decoration department
e. Overview of the Props department
f. Overview of the Construction department
g. Timeline of a production
a. Choosing which department to work in
b. Art Department Assistant and Assistant Graphic Designer
c. Set Decoration Assistant and Petty Cash Buyer
d. Dressing Props Trainee, Trainee Storeperson and Standby Props Trainee
e. Day-to-day life in each department
f. Rates and allowances
i. BECTU Ratecard 2021-2023 – Art Department, Set Decoration and Graphics departments
ii. BECTU Ratecard 2021 – Props department
g. Flowchart – choosing which department to work in
a. Training for work
b. Art Department trainees: necessary skills and how to acquire them
i. To do list
ii. Art Department Assistant – hand draughting from home equipment list
c. Set Decoration trainees: necessary skills and how to acquire them
i. To do list
ii. Main prop hire companies
d. Props trainees: necessary skills and how to acquire them
i. To do list
e. Working as a Supporting Artist (SA / “Extra”)
i. To do list
f. Additional training resources
i. To do list
a. How to create a CV
i. To do list
ii. Example CV – generic
iii. Example CV – Assistant Graphic Designer – Helene Dollie
b. How to create a portfolio and website
i. To do list
ii. Example portfolio – Art Department Assistant
iii. Example portfolio – Art Department & Set Decoration Assistant
iv. Example portfolio – Petty Cash Buyer – James Everett
v. Example websites – Assistant Graphic Designer
c. How to find work using Kays directory
i. To do list
ii. Example spreadsheet
d. How to find work using social media
i. To do list
e. Organisations and crew databases to help you find work
i. To do list
f. How to find work if you’re registered as a Supporting Artist
g. Interviews
i. To do list
a. Accommodation
b. Art Department Assistant: what equipment will you need?
i. Art Department Assistant: Equipment List
c. Petty Cash Buyer and Set Dec Assistant: what equipment will you need?
i. Petty Cash Buyer and Set Dec Assistant: Equipment List
ii. Example petty cash form
d. Props Trainees: what equipment will you need?
i. Dressing Props Trainee and Standby Props Trainee: Equipment List
ii. Trainee Storeperson: Equipment List
a. Art Department terminology, set etiquette, and health & safety
a. Getting paid
i. To do list
ii. Example payslip 1
iii. Example payslip 2
b. Tax returns, pensions, and joining a union
i. To do list
a. What to do next
b. Ending
“James has done an incredible job designing this course to cover absolutely everything someone starting in the art department should know.
"I honestly haven’t seen a more comprehensive course that offers advice in everything from making a portfolio, to writing a good CV, as well as a clear idea of the roles of each department, what skills are needed to work there and how to actually find work.
"It’s a rare insider’s view into the industry, presented in a friendly and informative way which makes the idea of working in film way less intimidating for beginners.
"It will definitely be an invaluable help to anyone wishing to start out in the art department, set dec or props. It helped me a lot in gaining a clearer understanding of the industry and I now feel more confident taking my first steps in the film industry.”
Electra Pappa – Theatre Studies Graduate
"Given the fact that you are potentially saving someone a lot of research and providing first-hand experience and inside-industry advice, I think the course is definitely worth reading, especially as it is so thorough.
"I imagine you would get your foot in the door as a direct consequence of the course (I had no idea the directories even existed; I knew that you’re supposed to just contact people but I had no idea how to find contact details).
"Plus, it’s a lot less time consuming than doing one of the practical courses and then realising you don’t like the realities of the industry, the working hours etc."
Sophie Haywood – TV & Film Set Design Graduate, University of South Wales
Items in red are bonus documents.
a. Introduction
a. 4 step guide to finding your first job in props and set design
b. How a set is created
c. Overview of the Art Department
d. Overview of the Set Decoration department
e. Overview of the Props department
f. Overview of the Construction department
g. Timeline of a production
a. Choosing which department to work in
b. Art Department Assistant and Assistant Graphic Designer
c. Set Decoration Assistant and Petty Cash Buyer
d. Dressing Props Trainee, Trainee Storeperson and Standby Props Trainee
e. Day-to-day life in each department
f. Rates and allowances
i. BECTU Ratecard 2021-2023 – Art Department, Set Decoration and Graphics departments
ii. BECTU Ratecard 2021 – Props department
g. Flowchart – choosing which department to work in
a. Training for work
b. Art Department trainees: necessary skills and how to acquire them
i. To do list
ii. Art Department Assistant – hand draughting from home equipment list
c. Set Decoration trainees: necessary skills and how to acquire them
i. To do list
ii. Main prop hire companies
d. Props trainees: necessary skills and how to acquire them
i. To do list
e. Working as a Supporting Artist (SA / “Extra”)
i. To do list
f. Additional training resources
i. To do list
a. How to create a CV
i. To do list
ii. Example CV – generic
iii. Example CV – Assistant Graphic Designer – Helene Dollie
b. How to create a portfolio and website
i. To do list
ii. Example portfolio – Art Department Assistant
iii. Example portfolio – Art Department & Set Decoration Assistant
iv. Example portfolio – Petty Cash Buyer – James Everett
v. Example websites – Assistant Graphic Designer
c. How to find work using Kays directory
i. To do list
ii. Example spreadsheet
d. How to find work using social media
i. To do list
e. Organisations and crew databases to help you find work
i. To do list
f. How to find work if you’re registered as a Supporting Artist
g. Interviews
i. To do list
a. Accommodation
b. Art Department Assistant: what equipment will you need?
i. Art Department Assistant: Equipment List
c. Petty Cash Buyer and Set Dec Assistant: what equipment will you need?
i. Petty Cash Buyer and Set Dec Assistant: Equipment List
ii. Example petty cash form
d. Props Trainees: what equipment will you need?
i. Dressing Props Trainee and Standby Props Trainee: Equipment List
ii. Trainee Storeperson: Equipment List
a. Art Department terminology, set etiquette, and health & safety
a. Getting paid
i. To do list
ii. Example payslip 1
iii. Example payslip 2
b. Tax returns, pensions, and joining a union
i. To do list
a. What to do next
b. Ending
“James has done an incredible job designing this course to cover absolutely everything someone starting in the art department should know.
"I honestly haven’t seen a more comprehensive course that offers advice in everything from making a portfolio, to writing a good CV, as well as a clear idea of the roles of each department, what skills are needed to work there and how to actually find work.
"It’s a rare insider’s view into the industry, presented in a friendly and informative way which makes the idea of working in film way less intimidating for beginners.
"It will definitely be an invaluable help to anyone wishing to start out in the art department, set dec or props. It helped me a lot in gaining a clearer understanding of the industry and I now feel more confident taking my first steps in the film industry.”
Electra Pappa – Theatre Studies Graduate
"Given the fact that you are potentially saving someone a lot of research and providing first-hand experience and inside-industry advice, I think the course is definitely worth reading, especially as it is so thorough.
"I imagine you would get your foot in the door as a direct consequence of the course (I had no idea the directories even existed; I knew that you’re supposed to just contact people but I had no idea how to find contact details).
"Plus, it’s a lot less time consuming than doing one of the practical courses and then realising you don’t like the realities of the industry, the working hours etc."
Sophie Haywood – TV & Film Set Design Graduate, University of South Wales