It’s not easy for a movie to be completed. We’ll take you behind the scenes of the film industry through the art of production design in this article. Before it becomes a movie, effects, and props are created to create an imaginary world that draws me in and gives life to the storytelling. No one knows how much design and technique must be used. Both the matter of mobilizing people to help think of creative stories, the evolution of production design, and the challenges of working. Join us on a journey to find these answers as we dive deeper into production design whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker, an emerging artist, or just a movie buff. Besides, prepare to be inspired, challenged, and fascinated by the art of production design—a land where dreams are made possible and where the impossible becomes unforgettable.
The Role of Production Design in Filmmaking
The production design process in making a movie is like laying pilings, treating it as the foundation of a house. Skipping this step or making it too concise will make the filmmaking full of flaws. Because it paves the way for a whole new way to watch movies that don’t just improve the narrative or flesh out the characters. But it is also an important point in immersing the viewer in the story being created.
Another important point of filmmaking is that it plays an important role in determining the characters’ identities or motivations. Even the mental state of the characters is created based on the environment, scene elements that reflect their personality, economic and social status. For example, a character whose social environment steals an environment that has nothing good at all. Characters like this are complex in their emotions and thoughts, and it is up to the production designers to figure out how to plot them. It must be determined how to convey it so that viewers will be moved along with it to the point where questions do not arise during viewing.
Historical Evolution of Production Design
I admit that in the past, the production design industry had quite a scope because the environment or technology may not have been upgraded to be as modern as today. In the beginning, filmmakers had limited recources and technology and were unable to produce that much. But as time passes, technology advances, the working environment becomes more ready, and human creativity increases. Consequently, production design has grown far more than it did before for this reason.
Early Theater and Performance
Actually, the beginning of the show has its roots in ancient dramas. In which past stories or religious ceremonies are applied together by using costumes, scenes, and props to tell the story to make the audience experience the experience while watching. This era is comparable to musicals that don’t rely heavily on special effects or creativity.
Medieval and Renaissance periods
Later, during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the performance style was changed to become more complex including the overall composition, script, surrounding environment, and proper lighting. Changes in this era are considered to be an important foundation in the film industry, having laid a solid foundation before the transition to modern production design.
Industrial revolution
the Industrial Revolution arrived, which represented the beginning the modern production design. There has been an increase in technological innovation leading to the creation of complex sets or props. At the same time, when these things were applied and changed, more films were produced during the same period, many in many formats.
Golden Age of Film
After a revolution in design and manufacturing, there was a golden age for the industry with legendary pioneers like William Cameron Menzies. He achieved success from the beginning on the set. The style of editing and lighting used in film production to make the film look more realistic. William applied the knowledge and creativity he learned to create new perspectives in viewing, which later received an overwhelming response.
Technological Advancements
In the past, the foundations for modern production design had already been laid. The second half of the 20th century saw rapid technological progress. From the introduction of new innovations, there has been more learning about computer generated imagery (CGI), green screen editing, and digital editing. Combined with the creative ideas of movie producers who have embraced technological advancements. Thus, resulting in the masterpiece of the film industry such as the movie “Titanic”.
Multimedia and Digital Age
Entering the 21st century from production design that had many roots in the previous era. This has resulted in the expansion of new movie screening platforms from being presented through stage plays to being shown through more and more media platforms. In addition to designing productions from movies alone, we know how to create realistic video games and 3D movies. Therefore, making this era a modern era along with the world that has developed upward to this moment.
Collaboration and creativity in production design
What makes movies grow to this day is a credit to the film design industry from earlier eras. We probably won’t be able to watch as many massive films as we can currently if there are no experienced editing staff or filmmakers.
Collaboration involves close coordination between directors, production designers, costume designers, professional editors and other creative minds. It creates great conversation and action about the movie that is about to be made. The production design team themselves made the director’s vision come true. At the same time, it also incorporates the creativity of its own design team.
Challenges and Innovations in Production Design
One of the main obstacles during filmmaking is budget limitations, production time and props. These things seemed difficult to control, but they weren’t that difficult as they had secret exits. Because the solution is to challenge the creativity and drive of the quality team. If they can think outside the box, the results will be good. No matter the obstacles during filmmaking, they will definitely be overcome.