I have been drafting since traditional drafting in junior high and am often complimented for the speed and quality of my Construction drawings. I have been using AutoCAD since 1991 and feels it's more efficient to make 2D Construction drawings with a 2D drafting program, rather than make a 3D computer model and try to extract 2D information from that.
I am fast at location surveys and have written articles for ADG publications on the subject. Some Set Designers refuse to do surveys, but I prefer to work from his own trusted surveys.
Director Drawings are quick when starting with a correctly drawn AutoCAD drawing with all objects on the correct layer. Shading and other esthetics can be added if required and time allows. A bird's-eye view can be made from 3D work, but isn't usually required.
My career in the Entertainment Industry began as a Visual Effect Model Maker. I have built physical industrial, architectural, display, and Theme Park models. I was one of the first Set Designers to use 3D computer models, making many good models in AutoCAD and in some programs that no longer exist. Today, I work with Rhino, Sketchup, and a little with Blender, Vectorworks, and Unreal Engine. I can make renderings using several of these, plus Twinmotion, but that can lead to a conflict with the Illustrators.
I have a general understanding of several Adobe products and uses them to supplement my Set Design and presentation.
I worked many years as a Prop Builder, primarily in miniatures, Prop Shop, electronics, Mill work, and Special Effects and am one of only a few Set Designers who has actual experience building scenery, which adds greater understanding when creating Construction drawings.
In Television, I usually work on one hour dramas and am open to other venues. I have helped launch many new successful series. For many years, I've worked at what is now called Conceptual Modeling.
When using the computer, I primarily work in AutoCAD (2D and 3D), SketchUp, and Photoshop, and use others when necessary. I am currently learning Rhino, Twinmotion, Unreal Engine, Vectorworks, and Blender.
My computer kit includes most popular drafting, modeling, and graphics programs including AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, and others), VectorWorks, SketchUp Pro, Rhino, and others. All software is licensed, I try to keep everything current.
I started on big shows, however, when the big shows left for Atlanta, I stayed home doing great work on smaller shows. I would like to get back to the big shows while I am still interested in doing great work on smaller shows. Several people for whom I have repeatedly worked have retired and I needs new crews with whom I can work. It's hard to soar with eagles when you aren't invited into the flock.
Bio...
Visual Effects model making is where I started.
Architectural, Theme Park, Set Design models almost as long.
Set / Prop Building also from my early years.
One of only a few Set Designers with hands-on fabrication experience.
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Set Design since 1992.
Art Direction since 1994.
Theme Architecture since 2013.
Member IATSE Local 800 and Visual Effects Society.
If you want to be a Set Designer, visit this page...How to be a Set Designer.
