The Art Direction Handbook for Film & Television, 2nd Edition

Chapter 5The Physical Design

The Locations Department and Scouting

Cinema design essentially comes from two sources: the creative efforts of the art department design team and from the well-informed searching of the locations department. Both sources take their direction from the screenplay; both resulting “shopping lists” are compared and finally become the first set list for a film project. That’s it in a nutshell. The remainder of this chapter will explain and expand on these activities.

Sometimes it’s easier and less expensive to retrofit an existing location than to build it onstage. This determination is an ongoing discussion between the locations and design departments—the final decision is made by the latter. Several steps are undertaken ...