PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Description

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (TV SERIES)
Job Description

Title: Production Designer
Show: “How to Train Your Dragon” TV Series
Reports To: Producer, Director
Direct Reports: Art Department, Character Design
Partners With: VFX Supervisor

The Production Designer is the most senior artistic manager and leader on the show; the responsibility for the look of the show lies with him or her. The Production Designer will create, articulate, and maintain a singular vision for the show based on what the Director has in mind; he will oversee the execution of that vision throughout production. The Production Designer has the authority to make all final artistic decisions (with the Director), and is often asked to integrate diverse creative and financial concerns to produce a stunning yet feasible TV series.

The Production Designer’s strengths are his/her sound ability to draw, paint, and make pictures combined with good solid communication, management, and leadership skills. S/he works closely with the Director throughout production to keep up to date on story and emotional intent of any given sequence. S/he works with the production staff (Producer, Production Manager, and Supervisors) to manage the artistic staff on the show, and takes responsibility for them. S/he oversees the design of the characters, environments, lighting, and color used in the show. During production s/he will provide artistic direction in the following areas: lighting, color, composition, surfacing, modeling, art department, and matte painting. Through much of this, s/he will work hand in hand with the VFX Supervisor to make sure that the artistic vision is technically feasible and can be done within the budget and tool constraints of the film.

In addition, the Production Designers of each show work closely with the leadership of the Studio. They act as representatives for the greater artistic talent and voices of experience, providing solutions for the larger inspirational and artistic challenges the Studio might face. As the most senior artists at the Studio, they will act as a resource in plotting the overall artistic course of the Studio and the shows it creates.