How to Build a Movie Set

[@questfortruth665]

I spent 20 years as a "propmaker" (set carpenter) and worked on over 70 projects until I retired 12 years ago. Loved it while I was doing it, but glad I'm over it now!

[@radio645]

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to work as an extra for a TV show called The Night Shift, a fictional drama set in a hospital in Texas. The fake hospital was built in huge sound stage, the only way of knowing you weren't in an actual hospital was having to enter the place via the stage. The lighting effects, the detail of construction, props, captured the atmosphere of being in a hospital. Had someone passed out and woke up in the pretend hospital they would have no idea it was real or not. The construction alone of the bare wood walls, framing was impressive not to mention the set designers who brought the interior to life. I had no idea how much work went into creating something "fake".

[@Nemo_Anom]

I'm sick today. I'm really feeling awful. This was so soothing to watch. Thank you so much. Sometimes I dream about working on a set. It seems fun but also very stressful. I wanna be the guy that gives people cool water, soda, and juice. Waterboy! lol

[@carlosherrera6873]

Just PA, you'll be on set tomorrow

[@baceclef2684]

check out craft services

[@phoebexxlouise]

even the kid handing out water is stressed! if you want to do nothing on set just become an executive producer or an extra :)

[@Nemo_Anom]

@@phoebexxlouise I want a little stand where I sell liquid concessions. And then duck out and lurk on set whenever. lol Must be nice being an EP though.

[@erikolson7080]

You could work in "crafty" craft services! Literally, this person (or small crew) keeps fresh fruit, savory snacks, energy foods, drinks on set at all times the physical production crew is shooting. Not typically in scene shops, or pre-rig days, but always there, keeping the crew going on shooting days. Sometimes, an extension of catering, but most often its own stand-alone service. One of my favorite crew members to cozy up to!

[@Johnnyred51]

I've been a stage scenic carpenter for over 35 years. In flat construction, the term "toggle" is correct. However, The terms used fo the top, bottom and side boards were not exactly what is more commonly used. The top and bottom horizontal boards are known as "rails". The vertical side boards are known as "styles". In general this a good video and I very much enjoyed it.

[@leokimvideo]

Wow, thats amazing who would ever have thought how this was done

[@JerryN7970]

You were talking about all the architectural additions to keep everything from looking so flat, I remembered a while back I was watching the 80’s sitcom The Golden Girls. While watching it, I couldn’t figure out at first why the inside of their front door looked so weird, but then realized it was because there’s no trim around it. It’s literally just a door covering a hole in a plain, flat wall. If they put trim around the door and maybe a light switch next to the door it would probably look more realistic.

[@neilengel3715]

I was a set designer in LA for many, many years. I retired 7 years ago. Good thing I did because they really don't build "sets" much anymore as they have become so expensive. Most things are shot with actors in mocap suits in front of green screens nowadays. Sad, but time marches on.

[@Dog.soldier1950]

Toured the set of “Sleepless in Seattle” at Naval Activity Sand Point, Seattle while in production. I was stationed there and just walked in and looked around. Fella there gave me a amazing tour

[@douglewis6924]

This video is amazing, learned a lot a few things i didnt know or remember. I worked on a Show Season 5 and 6 at CNE in Toronto for IATSE as a rookie permit Carpenter. The members are so amazing and how fast and well these go up and the Pride. Working with Covid protocols isnt easy but required. Hats off to the Grips/Paint/Construction Dept's and the Carpenters that are cool enough to show you the tricks.

[@FilmSkills]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sirgifness]

Stranger Things uses the same music as you do in your intro. Haha. But you were earlier.

[@FilmSkills]

SANTASTIC Oh, I know! I was watching Stranger Things, thinking “They’re using the FilmSkills score!”

[@anthonylapeter7171]

Wow!

[@PennyMadeFilms]

wow

[@infiniteapex8762]

Wow.

[@DarksaberForce]

For a second I thought it was from the menu theme from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

[@Ray-l8b5d]

When it comes to making a movie one thing that comes in handy is IMAGINATION.

[@mastermcginnis]

Any advice on how to go about breaking into set building work as a skilled journeyman carpenter with a passion for movies?

[@FilmSkills]

Actually, yes! We produced an entire course on Production Design. You can check it out at www.training.filmskills.com/fst/course/production-design-1. Also, we produced a course on how to break into the film industry. www.training.filmskills.com/fst/course/breaking-into-the-film-industry

[@DavidBerquist334]

Do they wire the walls and have plug and receptacle on the back of each section so appliance lights can be used in the movie having some length of cord on each so they can be powered from either end depending on the need for each movie

[@anthonycardenas5753]

Instead of using plaster for the seams we use bondo it's easier to shape and there is less of unevenness

[@lancegoodthrust546]

Does it work better for outdoor shoots?

[@sonicfreak04]

@@lancegoodthrust546 bondo is used for repairing cars so yes

[@amoledor]

How do you get the cross members to line up? Do you do half-lap joints for the cross pieces?

[@Ray-l8b5d]

There's a lot involved when making a movie! For the young and old whipper snappers there's so many fascinating careers in the movie industry to say the least. Without the hardworking behind the scenes guys movies wouldn't exist!!!

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Yes, and it's definitely worth taking the studio tours if you're ever in LA or any other major TV/movie industry hub because there's just so much interesting stuff to learn and see. WB is a particularly good one just because they've had an open lot policy going back to when the Warners were still running the place and there's stuff from just about every studio that was shot there at some point.

[@hiltonlive32grnrngr]

If this is the case, I'd love to recreate the corridor set of the Enterprise-D from Star Trek: TNG.

[@ferocious_snailroswell2884]

NNNEEEEERRRRRDDDD!!

[@pblackcrow]

We use cardboard and foam to make sets. Works well when not in a sound stage.

[@commanderspyder5432]

+Shannon Stokely I was thinking that that sounded more like a cheap way to make these type of sets.

[@pblackcrow]

Yes, it is a very great and cheap way to do it. I make sets for LARPers and small time youtubers. Would love a chance to work on something big.

[@lobos9182]

+Shannon Stokely hey shannon, where do you get your materials?

[@pblackcrow]

Cardboard from Staples or donated and the foam Home Depot, the pink stuff...I absolutely love working with it. It's good stuff! But I also build miniature RPG terrain, and LARP sets.

[@lobos9182]

+Shannon Stokely cool, thanks, but the punk stuff for what do you use it?, and have you done big miniatures?

[@HipsterDoofus100]

Do they reuse all of those 2 x 4's or just chuck them?

[@gaelrodregez321]

I really wish I can do that If we build together thinking about something

[@creative8d14]

How about i use *FLEX TAPE*

[@chickennoodlesoup2794]

I need ideas on how to build an old graveyard in the desert. Any tips/advice on how to do this? from the tombstones, to the location, etc. Anything is appreciated. Thx!

[@coollm4760]

Darth Cuscus just wait for Halloween

[@ZUNNI333]

How did it go ? Did you get to construct it ?

[@gill2675]

Now what does the studio do with the wood when done? Is it reused?

[@markusmilesdigweed]

Usually straight to the bin. Stock sizes (4*X) are sometimes kept if they're "clean". If the show is returning the set we will strike it carefully and store it, or it lives in a lonely studio till break or haitus is over and filming resumes. Occasionally sets are also sold which I can't stand working on.

[@amdenis]

We need to install a cyc set (45' total length, 11.5' tall with one 90 degree bend in the middle with about 1->2 inch elevated flooring). We currently use 12-foot wide seamless and muslin for our grays and green-screen respectively, but we need more than what they provide in terms of size and utility. Is there any material that does not require painting after every shoot or couple of shoots? If not, someone needs to find or create it, as the currently available alternatives are a productivity and health nightmare. Our issue is that all the materials we have come across all require frequent, ongoing repainting. The problem with that is that paint off-gassing during painting and for a few days after drying is toxic to various degrees (even the ones that we were told weren't turned out to be toxic upon deeper research). So, while it may not be problematic to have occasional exposure to low VOC or related paints, such as once every several years when you have to repaint your home (and hopefully can be out of the house until it dries, with any luck), research is showing that frequent exposure correlates highly with brain, blood and liver cancer and is generally not healthy, even in the short term, as it elevates liver enzymes and causes inflammatory response. Any recommendations or ideas? Thanks to anyone who can help.

[@TheAmma3ad]

Did you get any suggestions?

[@MrVbobby]

People are constantly working on this problem but it seems almost impossible to get what you want I have tried a few but they never turn out to be what they say I have called manufacturer of one paint that continued to bubble and separate as I used it and was sent different bottles of chemicals to add and try like I was helping with their research It is unusual to need something to last that long I wonder what it is that you do

[@hadleymanmusic]

Ive worked with sets and minor repair from road damage but never really built.

[@epictips]

If i had money i would have buyed your all courses and studied it anyway your free to watch videos are also fantastic and i got so much to learn now i know almost all related to film making and can master it in coming days ❤️

[@FilmSkills]

Awesome, thank you!

[@JJBproductions84]

The thumbnail is DePaul University’s apartment set in Chicago

[@jimmyzhao2673]

People should be wearing eye protection when using nail guns or table saws.

[@afriend9428]

*Amazing!* ⭐️

[@PrettyLady7282]

thankyou for this informative video clip

[@ryantameryt]

I'm currently using this technique for a job now and I'm running into problems! The Masonite is dipping in between joist supports in the back. Please let me know what you did to prevent this as I've already doesn't the budget on these materials and can't purchase more to fix it!

[@MrVbobby]

they do not use Masonite they use 1/8 inch luan plywood Masonite is a terrible product to work with for this purpose. Also in the old days we woluld put blank-stock wall paper over all the wood to hide the grain but now you can buy the plywood with the paper all ready on it made for sets which they did not use in the video also putting Spackle on with your fingers is dumb and would get you fired on a real production. With do respect to Anthony using Bondo is usually a terrible idea it is expensive and almost impossible to sand after it dries. I painted sets for 11 years as a member of local 729 set painters union

[@mfundomzolo4498]

Thank you for giving me a film career

[@giorgiookonaitis2538]

Bravo !!

[@harrykruger1881]

Very cool man, thanks for making this!

[@FilmSkills]

Glad you liked it!

[@sonofman8262]

Building with 1 bys of clear white pine and quater inch luan glue and nail gun and tape and table saw

[@BruizerNewser]

How much would all this cost

[@darzbluetv526]

I love your videos♥️

[@warnutztheloser]

Thankz I Much needed Thiz

[@MiDesertLife]

Thanks very Interesting

[@grahamr8708]

Pretty sure I know the place on the thumbnail!

[@furiusstiles3214]

This is great. Came here to build walls for my garage halloween house.

[@carlthornton3076]

Very Good!

[@FilmSkills]

Thanks!

[@redcowcat8705]

is the material reused?

[@itzliamnow]

many movies and tv shows reuse many sets and just change it up so people don't realise its the same

[@art3mis107]

I wanna buy a hangar so i can do this type of stuff

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

If you do, make sure to get one with a very strong roof because the sets are typically hung from the ceiling to make sound isolation easier.

[@prodbycha]

how much money is this

[@FilmSkills]

All the pricing is at www.FilmSkills.com

[@louisegilligan2578]

Cool

[@omarkhalil8322]

Hi

[@tomkent4656]

Does anybody make plastic frames for flats?

[@FilmSkills]

No - that would be too limiting. Wood is cheaper, easier to find and transport, and gives you more options to build the size and shape of flats you need.

[@gregnulik1975]

If only hollywood made these sets more real, and then shipped them to a neighborhood to be lived in after the show is finished.

[@russellh8702]

They wouldn’t be up to building code

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@@russellh8702 Yes, I had the pleasure of touring WB last time I was down to LA, and those sets are made completely for the purpose of shooting. They commonly won't have a ceiling at all, may not have all the walls. It kind of blew my mind that the back of Luke's Diner for Gilmore Girls completely opens up to one of the banks that was robbed in the Bonnie and Clyde. There's also the issue that sets are often times designed to be hung from the ceiling of the sound stage. So, they may or may not have the appropriate structural integrity to handle holding up a roof when they're designed to be hung.

[@bentonrp]

@gregnulik1975 I think you may have missed the 3rd and 4th sentence of the video. :>

[@IBPROPN15]

At 2:28, the staples should be following the grain.

[@davedave9780]

It holds better when it's across the grain and less likely to go all the way through or separate...I know what you're saying though, it set the staple better with no wood splintering upward.

[@happyandhealthy888]

building sets in silence

[@naagallinaaadda9400]

Hi owsam

[@ferocious_snailroswell2884]

It seems like such a waster of resources. I just don’t get how that much time money and materials can go into a movie or whatever if it’s just for 1 scene

[@itzliamnow]

many movies and tv shows reuse many sets and just change it up so people don't realise its the same

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@@itzliamnow Yep, they do make some sets just for one time use, but that's mostly in the soundstages. Major studios like WB and Universal have more permanent sets that can be redressed dozens, or even hundreds of times, with minimal waste. WB is particularly interesting, because there's a pretty decent chance that you've their buildings in something being used as a way of cutting back on expenses over building something new. The thing that I found particularly fascinating was the fake brickwork on one of their buildings. It was simply pressed metal that had been painted to look like brick. I bet they can put that up and take it down rather quickly. And many of the buildings look completely different from different sides. Going into the same set from different sides can look like completely different buildings. So, these sorts can be kind of wasteful, but studios have an amazing set of tricks that can be employed to use the same basic set for different things. I've been watching The Mentalist and the number of times I've seen them use the same cabin that was used in Days of Wine and Roses is a lot. And, you wouldn't know if unless you watched very closely.

[@bencoatesworth7731]

I know in doctor who they reuse alsorts of bits for space ships and stuff they just re paint or turn it a different way or hide it into things and on heartstopper on Netflix they was a behind the scenes thing I seen on KZbin and they re used a bedroom for two characters rooms (Charlie and Tao) they just changed the furniture and decoration moved the door to a different wall but the walls and stuff are the same

[@lonzorodrecord3137]

iam casting director lonzorod