Set Decorator

Set Decorator

aka: Set dec, Set dresser, Stylist (commercials)

The set decorator designs the background of each film set location, including the walls, floors, and furniture. It’s their job to blend film sets into the story world. This job is a great career choice for someone who is highly creative, good at art design, and can lead a team.  

Interested in learning how to become a set decorator? Keep reading to learn more about the job role, education, salary, and finding work.

What Is a Set Decorator?

The set decorator focuses on a range of background details on a film set, such as prop lighting, flooring, furniture, interior design, exterior décor, and more. 

Set decorators start work early and take orders directly from the producer or production designer

The prep stage includes research and presenting set concepts. The set dresser completes a script breakdown and attends art department meetings. It’s important that the set conveys the mood of the script (time period, genre, and character) while staying within the budget. 

The director then approves the designs before they make the sets. 

Before filming begins, the set decorator buys and creates the sets. They work closely with the prop master and other creatives to design the look and feel of the set. 

During filming, they lead a team of art department assistants and prepares the sets according to the schedule. Once the set is designed, they stay on standby to adjust it as needed. For instance, the director might ask for a change to the scenery, or a set prop might need repair. 

What Does a Set Decorator Do?

Pre-production– Break down the script
– Attend meetings
– Establish the budget
– Create set concepts
– Buy props
Production– Decorate the set
– Collaborate with the art department
– Oversee the set
Post-production– Break down the set
– Return, sell, or dispose of set pieces

How to Become a Set Decorator

Essential set decorator skills:

  • Research
  • Artistic vision
  • Drawing
  • Craft-making
  • Teamwork
  • Organization
  • Budgeting
  • Time management

You don’t need a degree to become a set decorator. But it can help to take a course to improve your filmmaking knowledge or art design skills. 

In addition, the set dresser must have admin skills such as budgeting, understanding script continuity, and scheduling. As such, you will likely start your career as an art assistant or props assistant and learn the whole process by watching others.

Importantly, they are a team player who works in the art department. So, you’ll need to excel at organization and keep track of all props, their locations, and their conditions. You also need to be able to work towards deadlines and work under pressure when required.

Many assistants take workshops to develop new skills over the course of their careers, such as drawing floor plans and interior design.

Finding Set Decorator Jobs

It will take many years to develop the skills needed to work as a set decorator. You’ll need plenty of experience to build up a portfolio, which will help you find work.

As such, many people start their careers as art assistants or set assistants. You’ll be able to find entry-level jobs like these on film job sites or film studio career pages. Another way to find work is to join Facebook groups.

Another route to a set dresser or decorator career is to work on independent films and build your portfolio that way. By doing this, you can work in set design early and work up to higher budget sets. 

Set decoration is a freelance job, so you will work on many projects yearly. In addition to film sets, you can also work on TV shows and stage productions. 

For many people, the set decorator is a means to more responsibility in the art department, particularly the production designer role.

How Much Do Set Decorators Make?

Minimum pay rate for set decorators: $43.86/hour

Set decorators get paid per job depending on the project budget as well as professional experience. Typically, wages are negotiated with the producer before starting work and include extras such as travel expenses.

Learn more about other factors that affect your salary on our production crew rates page.

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