Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xiv
Introduction 1
1 The Job of the Charge Artist 3
What Does a Scenic Charge Artist Do? 3
Expectations and Responsibilities 3
The Expectation of Product 4
The Expectations of Management 5
Who's Who in the Paint Shop: Roles 5
Theatre 7
Scenic Charge Artist 7
Assistant Scenic Charge Artist 7
Scenic Artist 7
Journeyperson 7
Lead Scenic/Lead Artist 7
Apprentice 8
Intern 8
Other Industry Titles 8
Film Charge Artist 8
Set Painter 9
Industrial 9
Utility 9
Onset Painter (Film) 9
Overhire/Day Hire 9
Painter 1 vs. Scenic Painter (Theme Parks and Entertainment) 10
Project Manager (Commercial) 10
Summer Stock Theatre 10
What Is a Summer Stock? 10
Interview With Scenic Charge Artist Julia Buerkle 11
Regional Theatre 13
Interview With Regional Scenic Charge Artist Kat Conley 13
Scenic Art Studios 15
Interview With Scenic Studio Artist and Educator: Donna Wymore 16
Interview With Corporate Shop Scenic Artist: Helen McCarthy 18
2 Getting Work 22
When Work Finds You 22
Work Begets Work 22
Finding a Job 23
Postings and Advertisements 23
Networking 24
Membership Organizations 24
Unions 26
What Is a Union? 26
When Should You Consider Joining a Union? 27
How Do You Join the Union? 27
Interview With Union Scenic Artist and Educator Jane Snow 27
Freelance 30
Independent Contractor (1099) vs. Employee (W-2) 30
Always Consider Yourself a Business 31
Keep the Cycle Moving 32
Interview Materials 32
Cover Letter 32
Résumé 34
Portfolio 36
Physical and Digital 36
Selection of Materials 36
Arrangement and Layout 37
Text Labels 38
Branding and Professional Consistency 39
Creation and Distribution 40
The Interview 41
Offers, Contracts, Invoices, and Pay Schedules 43
How to Say Yes and No 43
Contracts 44
Invoices 46
Interview: Freelance Scenic Artist Valerie Light 48
3 Getting Better 52
Education 52
Traditional Methods of Education 53
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Fine Arts 53
Graduate School 53
Interview With Julliard Scenic Charge Jenny Stanjeski 54
Non-Traditional Forms of Education 56
Community Theatres 57
Learning on the Job: Apprenticeships and Internships 57
Training Programs 57
Boston University Artisan Certificate 57
Cobalt Studios 58
Studio and Forum of Scenic Art 58
Morale Maintenance 58
Positive Attitude 58
Buy-in and Ownership 59
Calling In Instead of Calling Out 59
Giving Constructive Feedback 60
Emotional Hygiene: Work-Life Balance 60
Burnout 61
Boundaries 62
Physical and Creative Fuel 62
Mental: Stressing De-Stressing 62
Self-Care 63
Physical: Sustainability 66
Rotator Cuff Strength 66
Neck Pain and Rolled Shoulders 67
Hand and Forearm Pain 69
Knee Strength - Floor Work/Ladder Work 70
4 The Paint Shop: The Things and Stuff 72
Space and Storage 72
Floor 73
Creating Paint Decks 74
Paint Frames 75
Scenery Shuffle 75
Lighting 75
Sink and Water 76
Protecting the Room 77
Storage 78
Flammable Storage 81
Mixing and Counter Space 82
Disposal 82
Temperature and Airflow 84
Tools in the Tool Kit 84
Brushes 85
How a Brush Works 85
Brush Maintenance 87
Brushes and Applicators 90
Rollers and Extenders 91
Texture Tools 91
How Texture Tools Work 91
Sprayers 96
Sculpture 97
Transferring an Image 98
Redraw 98
Trace 98
Supplies 100
Containers and Carriers 100
Mobile Structures 102
Less Mobile Structures 104
Types of Paint 105
Mediums 108
5 Health and Safety: Providing a Safe Space 110
Health vs. Safety 110
Protection From Short-Term vs. Long-Term Harm 111
Wellness 112
A Culture of Safety 112
Mindsets and Attitudes 113
Working Alone 114
Working Safely 114
Accountability 115
Learning and Implementing Policies 115
Personal Protective Equipment 116
Small Kit/Medium Kit 116
Large Shop 118
Interview With Safety Expert and Industrial Hygienist Monona Rossol 119
6 The Art Part: Foundations of Techniques 127
Color Theory: Manipulating and Mixing 127
Identify the Color You Are Looking for Clearly 128
Picking the Right Base Color 128
Temperature and Bias 129
Mixing Colors, as Bright as Possible 129
Mixing One Small Step at a Time 130
Another Color 131
Testing 133
Recording Colors 133
Color Theory for Mixing Colors 134
Mixing Mediums Safely 136
Labeling 136
Painting Foundations 137
Preparation of the Surface 137
Finishing: Sealing and Protecting 137
Skills: Painting Tips Beyond the Traditional 139
Tools, Tips, and Advice 140
Problem Solving 140
Jennifer Ivey's Design Thinking Structure 140
Homemade Tools 140
Lining Stick 141
String Grid 141
Story Stick 142
Roller Tips 142
Texture Tips 143
Rockers 143
Stamps and Stencils 143
Brush Tips 144
Treatment Tips and Advice 144
Brick, Stone, or Cinderblock 145
Marble 148
Wood 150
Metallic Finishes 154
Spatter 154
Hudson or Garden Sprayer 154
Highlight, Shade, and Shadow 155
Other 155
Sculpture 155
Painting Fabric 156
Stained Glass 156
Fake Neon 157
Erasable Graffiti 157
Recipes 157
7 Beyond the Art Part 162
Learning to Juggle: Leadership and Communication 162
Collaboration and Communication 163
Rule #1: Be Thoughtful (a.k.a. Don't Be a Jerk) 163
Rule #2: Be Intentional (a.k.a. Don't Make It Look Like Poo) 164
Rule #3: Be Collaborative and Communicative (a.k.a. Never Assume) 164
Managing Yourself - Flexible and Adaptable 164
The Futility of "Should" 165
Time Management: Styles and Modes 165
Procrastination and Moving Towards Discomfort 165
Asking for Help 167
Interpersonal Relationships 167
Clarity Is Kindness 167
Respect 168
Diversity and Inclusivity 168
Communication Opportunity 169
Crews - Leadership Tips and Planning 170
Managing a Small Team 170
Managing a Large Team 171
Managing Resources 172
Estimations and Equations 172
Why Do the Math? 173
Calculation Walkthrough 174
Materials Estimation 175
Square Footage 176
Calculating Coverage 176
When to Estimate All the Materials 178
People and Time 179
Learning to Tell Time 179
Budget Response 181
Calendar: Traveling Through Space and Time 181
Planning Your Time 181
Planning, Preparing, and Adjusting 184
Action Planning 184
Documentation 185
Show Binder/Show Bible 185
Information Section: Obligatory Reference 186
Planning Section: Process Sheets and Color Cards 187
Prioritization 187
Flexible To-Do List 187
After Show 189
Long-Term Planning: Keep It Moving 190
Predicting the Future 190
Points of Failure 192
Bottleneck to a Plan 192
Best-Laid Plans Go Awry 192
Learning From the Past 194
8 The Production Process 195
Background: Asking the Right Questions 195
Final Designs 195
Collaborative Conversation 196
Designer 196
Shop Coordination 197
The Technical Director 198
Asking Good Questions 198
Estimations and Budget 199
Broad Strokes 199
Trying to Figure It Out 200
Gut Check 200
Unanswered Questions 200
Prep: Bigger, Faster, Stronger: Adapting the Rendering 202
Sampling: Learning From a Small Scale 202
Thinking Through the Process 202
Creating Sample Sizes - Material Selection 203
Deciding on What to Sample 203
Turning Renderings Into Samples 204
Looking It Over 204
Prep Your Surface 204
Matching Color 204
Layers, Texture, and Depth 205
Sealer 205
Approval 206
Turning Samples Into Plans 206
Bigger: Adapting to a Larger Scale 206
Application 207
Considering Tools 207
Build: Doing the Thing 207
The In and Out: Working With the Technical Director 208
Load-In: A Deadline 209
Tech: Up All Night With Your Hands in the Air 210
Notes: I'll Get Right On It 210
Head Down Paint 211
Painting in Space 211
Run: Letting It Go 212
Touch-Up 212
Touch-Up Kits: Being Prepared 212
The Container 215
The Information 216
The Consumables 217
The Tools 217
Strike - Revisiting Your Result 217
9 Treading Off the Boards 219
Freedoms in Freelance 219
Interview With TV, Theatre, and Commission Freelance Artist Stephen Michael 220
Film Interview and Information Section 222
Interview With Film and Television, Opera, and Theatre Scenic Charge Artist Genessa Goldsmith Proctor 222
Interview With Film and Television Theatre Artist and Designer Pamela K. Hickey 225
Corporations and Commercial Shops 228
Interview With Scenic Lead Cody Meacham 228
Interview With Project Manager Kathy Falkowski 231
Glossary 234
Index 239
