The Interview Portal
Production Designer Interview
The Interview Portal, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
The everlasting impact of cinematic entertainment comes from the breathtaking visuals that creatively blend fiction with reality, thus allowing us to be a part of imaginary worlds !
Find out more about this role by reading the information below, then apply to be considered.Rupali Ingle, our next pathbreaker, works as an Assistant Art Director in Hollywood and is a member of the Art Director’s Guild Local 800 (Los Angeles), & is currently working on short films and commercials as a Production Designer due to the twin Hollywood strikes.Rupali talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about her tryst with production design early on in her career which was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with design based on storytelling.For students, success comes naturally for those who not only give their best in whatever they are doing, but are also enjoying their work !Rupali,Your background?I was born in Rangillo (colorful) Rajasthan and was brought up in Mumbai, India. As a kid, I was interested in sports and art. I was in my 4 th grade, when I finally narrowed it down to fashion design. At that time, I thought I will become the next Alexander McQueen. I learnt calligraphy and took various art classes while in school. I really enjoyed taking the art classes and was pretty good at it so continued to pursue this path which ultimately lead me to Production design for film and TV.What did you do for graduation/post graduation?I did my BFA from Savitribai Phule Pune University. I majored in Visualization for my BFA in Applied arts where I studied graphic design and advertising in India.I got my MFA in Production Design for film and TV from Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Chapman University in CA, USA. It’s one of the best film schools to study production design as reported by The Hollywood reporter in 2018.What made you choose such an offbeat, unconventional and cool career?I got introduced to ‘Production Design’ when somebody spotted my work at an exhibition and offered me the first opportunity to do the ‘set design’ for an international theatrical show which was coming to India for the first time. Although I didn’t end up getting the job through that person because she decided not to respond, I personally contacted the Facebook page of the theatrical show and eventually got a call to meet the director who gave me the first break. I really enjoyed seeing my creations/ artworks on stage. I think what attracted me the most was the scale of it. Now, I had a bigger canvas to paint my ideas on, as compared to just a human body ( fashion design that I had decided on earlier) and that was the beginning of a lifelong love affair.Right after that, I continued to work as a set designer for a few more theatrical shows and then decided to try my luck in Bollywood (Hindi film Industry). I made a list of production designers and started contacting them with my resume and portfolio via social media. I got lucky that I received positive responses from many, but eventually landed an internship directly under Production Designer Mayur Sharma for the 2018 hit Bollywood movie ‘Kedarnath’ directed by the amazing Abhishek Kapoor. I worked on ‘Kedarnath’ full time for three months during my summer holidays, and absolutely loved every bit of it. This was the turning point which made me sure that I wanted to be a production designer for film and TV. I personally love fantasy movies a lot, like ‘Alice in the wonderland’, ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms ‘ , ‘Avatar’ and other movies like ‘A Midsummernight’sdream’ (1935), ‘‘Salomé’ 1922’, ‘The Red Shoes’, ‘Moulin Rouge’, ‘The Great Gatsby 2013’, ‘La La Land’ etc. So, I decided to get my MFA in Production Design to dive deeper into this subject which would help me gain the skills required to get my foot in Hollywood.How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted?I am the first person from my family to get into a career in films or any other kind of creative arts. So, I didn’t have any contacts nor did I have anyone to guide me. I had to figure it out all alone, right from the beginning which was great because I had the power to tailor-make my path and make my own choices. I already talked about the steps I took to get my first break in India in a previous question.I was looking for the best Production Design programs and found the list published by the Hollywood reporter titled ‘ Top 10 Hollywood Production design programs revealed’. Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Chapman University was one of them. I instantly felt a connection and it became my first choice. Especially because of the director of the production design program, my professor John Chichester whose credits include “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stanger Tides”, & “Star Trek Into Darkness”. John contacted me way before I received an official acceptance with a personal email in which he described how he liked my individual style of work and saw great potential in me. I knew I was in safe hands as he would give me the freedom to design as I like. I knew he wouldn’t force me to change anything or say ‘make it a little subtle’. You see I have a bold sense of design and I don’t want to subtle it down for anyone. I was right, he spent hours and hours with me one-on-one to train me and guide me in the right direction. The fellowship I received was based on my overall application which consisted of my design portfolio, resume, previous work experience and personal statement etc. It’s very rare to get it but I am thankful that I got it. Usually they grant just one or maximum two fellowships in the entire batch. After I received my MFA in production design, I got selected for the Art Directors Guild (Hollywood Labor Union – part of IATSE) Production design Initiative program in 2021. It’s a trainee program which aims to mentor future production designers in the industry. It’s super competitive and I got lucky to get into it right after graduation. It gave me the much needed exposure and networking opportunities.How did you get your first break?I got my first break on the hit ABC show ‘Abbott Elementary’ Season 1 as an Art PA right after graduation. This was my first job in Hollywood after I got selected for the Art Directors Guild PD Initiative program. Production Designer Michael Whetstone and Art Director Suzan Wexler hired me from the cold email which I sent to Michael along with my resume & portfolio. Another major transition happened when I joined the Art Directors Guild in early 2022 as an Assistant Art Director. I got the wonderful opportunity to work on the hit Paramount Plus show ‘Star Trek Picard’ Season 3 under fantastic Production Designer Dave Blass who is one of my mentors. Dave recognized my potential and gave me my first big break.What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?Challenge 1: The biggest challenge was the financial aspect. I come from a middle class Indian household and I am the first person from my family to get my Masters from the United States. My parents have never even traveled outside India. I received my fellowship from Chapman University where I got my MFA from which really helped me in financing my education. I worked on campus at Chapman University for two years as a student assistant, illustrator and social media content creator to support myself and manage the finances.Challenge 2: Another challenge was to figure out the path by myself. I personally wouldn’t consider this as a challenge as I was always a very stubborn child who was very clear of what she wanted and went after that fearlessly. But I think for the viewer who’s reading this article, this can be a common challenge – to figure it out when you don’t have anyone who you can get guidance from. The best way is to do the research, study the paths of people that you admire and set your goals accordingly. For example, I had set the target to get into the Art Directors Guild Trainee program way before I even moved to California to get my masters. I researched and studied everyone who got into that program to understand where they are coming from. I found a common link. Most of them had an MFA in Production Design from the best film schools.Challenge 3: The most important challenge was to get my first break whether in Bollywood or Hollywood when I had absolutely zero connections. The important thing that I did was to put myself out there and reach out to people in the industry. I got lucky to receive extremely positive responses and got hired. The key is to let people know what you want. For example, When I was reaching out for the Art PA positions in Hollywood, which was my first opportunity, I made sure I mentioned that I was looking to join the union as an Assistant Art Director in the near future. People can only help you if you know what you want, so don’t be afraid to go after what you set your eyes on just like Arjuna who lays his target on ‘the eye of the bird’ in the Indian Epic Mahabharata.Where do you work now?Can you tell us about your Current Role?I am a member of the Art Directors Guild as an Assistant Art Director. I don’t work for a specific company but work on different projects both in Film and TV. Some of my credits include Abbott Elementary Season 1, Star Trek Picard Season 3, the hit Fox show ‘9-1-1’ Season 6 and Hulu feature film ‘White Men Can’t Jump’. I also got the wonderful opportunity to be a panelist at San Diego Comic con international in July 2023 for the ‘Women of the Hollywood Art Department’ panel discussion. I am currently working on short films and commercials as a production designer as we have the twin strikes (WGA & SAG-AFTRA) in Hollywood right now. I am hoping it all gets resolved soon. I have a short sci-fi project which I am working on right now titled ‘Don’t get close’ for which I am super excited as a production designer.What skills are required for your role? How did you acquire the skills?A production designer imagines and designs the world in which a story takes place whether it’s in Film or TV.The design holds the key to transport the audience in different worlds and timelines. It is my dream to design a world that the world hasn’t seen before. Being imaginative, having the passion and good communication skills, I think would be the most important skills that are needed to be in this industry. We all work 12 hours a day, so it’s very important to be passionate about it. Be ready to learn. Everyone starts somewhere, no one is born with all the knowledge in the world. There is a first time for everything. Being humble and letting others know that you are new and are open to learning is very helpful. Making a mistake is acceptable but learning to correct it is the key. 3D Modelling, concept illustration, basic 2D sketching skills, understanding of color, basic knowledge of construction, understanding of building materials and hardware would be helpful.What’s a typical day like?As an Assistant Art Director, I am a part of the Art Department which is responsible for bringing ideas to life. A typical day on a union project starts at 6 or 7 am in the morning. We usually work 12 hrs. a day.What is it you love about this job?I am responsible for researching and finding all the fun stuff like flooring, tiles, hardware, doing layouts and making look books when needed . I am a very tactile person, and so I love getting all the materials.How does your work benefit society?Honestly, there isn’t a direct reaction or benefit but indirectly it can impact or inspire other people. The end goal of a production designer is to transport the audience into different worlds existing within different timelines. A viewer forgets his/her reality and gets lost in the movie. Sometimes, if the job is very well done, he/she feels like they are living in that world. A character’s journey or overall theme of the movie can inspire people in real life to take bold steps and move further along in their own real life’s journey.Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!I worked on a short film titled ‘La Casita de la mariposa’ – English translation of the title – ‘The House of the Butterfly’ as a production designer which is close to my heart.It had a great script and gave me the freedom to express myself as an upcoming production designer. The most fun part was to design the dream sequences ranging from fantasy vanity mirror scenes, Music Box to large childhood Castle Façade. All these sequences best showcase my potential and I always include them in my portfolio even today. I won several ‘Best Production Design’ awards for this short film.Your advice to students based on your experience?I would just tell them to follow their heart and choose the path where they find happiness. Just jot down any activity or hobby that makes them happy and they lose track of time while doing it. If they really love what they are doing, they will never work a day in their life. Success comes more naturally since they will always give their best in whatever they are doing. So don’t follow the herd mentality and really find their own purpose and what satisfies their own soul. Be bold and rest will follow. The universe always supports and falls in love with a stubborn heart who follows its passion.Future Plans?My target is to become a production designer in Hollywood for fantastic union projects. I am currently an Assistant Art Director and I am working my way up the ladder to reach that position.Here is my website to know more about my work :
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Find out more about this role by reading the information below, then apply to be considered.Rupali Ingle, our next pathbreaker, works as an Assistant Art Director in Hollywood and is a member of the Art Director’s Guild Local 800 (Los Angeles), & is currently working on short films and commercials as a Production Designer due to the twin Hollywood strikes.Rupali talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about her tryst with production design early on in her career which was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with design based on storytelling.For students, success comes naturally for those who not only give their best in whatever they are doing, but are also enjoying their work !Rupali,Your background?I was born in Rangillo (colorful) Rajasthan and was brought up in Mumbai, India. As a kid, I was interested in sports and art. I was in my 4 th grade, when I finally narrowed it down to fashion design. At that time, I thought I will become the next Alexander McQueen. I learnt calligraphy and took various art classes while in school. I really enjoyed taking the art classes and was pretty good at it so continued to pursue this path which ultimately lead me to Production design for film and TV.What did you do for graduation/post graduation?I did my BFA from Savitribai Phule Pune University. I majored in Visualization for my BFA in Applied arts where I studied graphic design and advertising in India.I got my MFA in Production Design for film and TV from Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Chapman University in CA, USA. It’s one of the best film schools to study production design as reported by The Hollywood reporter in 2018.What made you choose such an offbeat, unconventional and cool career?I got introduced to ‘Production Design’ when somebody spotted my work at an exhibition and offered me the first opportunity to do the ‘set design’ for an international theatrical show which was coming to India for the first time. Although I didn’t end up getting the job through that person because she decided not to respond, I personally contacted the Facebook page of the theatrical show and eventually got a call to meet the director who gave me the first break. I really enjoyed seeing my creations/ artworks on stage. I think what attracted me the most was the scale of it. Now, I had a bigger canvas to paint my ideas on, as compared to just a human body ( fashion design that I had decided on earlier) and that was the beginning of a lifelong love affair.Right after that, I continued to work as a set designer for a few more theatrical shows and then decided to try my luck in Bollywood (Hindi film Industry). I made a list of production designers and started contacting them with my resume and portfolio via social media. I got lucky that I received positive responses from many, but eventually landed an internship directly under Production Designer Mayur Sharma for the 2018 hit Bollywood movie ‘Kedarnath’ directed by the amazing Abhishek Kapoor. I worked on ‘Kedarnath’ full time for three months during my summer holidays, and absolutely loved every bit of it. This was the turning point which made me sure that I wanted to be a production designer for film and TV. I personally love fantasy movies a lot, like ‘Alice in the wonderland’, ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms ‘ , ‘Avatar’ and other movies like ‘A Midsummernight’sdream’ (1935), ‘‘Salomé’ 1922’, ‘The Red Shoes’, ‘Moulin Rouge’, ‘The Great Gatsby 2013’, ‘La La Land’ etc. So, I decided to get my MFA in Production Design to dive deeper into this subject which would help me gain the skills required to get my foot in Hollywood.How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted?I am the first person from my family to get into a career in films or any other kind of creative arts. So, I didn’t have any contacts nor did I have anyone to guide me. I had to figure it out all alone, right from the beginning which was great because I had the power to tailor-make my path and make my own choices. I already talked about the steps I took to get my first break in India in a previous question.I was looking for the best Production Design programs and found the list published by the Hollywood reporter titled ‘ Top 10 Hollywood Production design programs revealed’. Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Chapman University was one of them. I instantly felt a connection and it became my first choice. Especially because of the director of the production design program, my professor John Chichester whose credits include “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stanger Tides”, & “Star Trek Into Darkness”. John contacted me way before I received an official acceptance with a personal email in which he described how he liked my individual style of work and saw great potential in me. I knew I was in safe hands as he would give me the freedom to design as I like. I knew he wouldn’t force me to change anything or say ‘make it a little subtle’. You see I have a bold sense of design and I don’t want to subtle it down for anyone. I was right, he spent hours and hours with me one-on-one to train me and guide me in the right direction. The fellowship I received was based on my overall application which consisted of my design portfolio, resume, previous work experience and personal statement etc. It’s very rare to get it but I am thankful that I got it. Usually they grant just one or maximum two fellowships in the entire batch. After I received my MFA in production design, I got selected for the Art Directors Guild (Hollywood Labor Union – part of IATSE) Production design Initiative program in 2021. It’s a trainee program which aims to mentor future production designers in the industry. It’s super competitive and I got lucky to get into it right after graduation. It gave me the much needed exposure and networking opportunities.How did you get your first break?I got my first break on the hit ABC show ‘Abbott Elementary’ Season 1 as an Art PA right after graduation. This was my first job in Hollywood after I got selected for the Art Directors Guild PD Initiative program. Production Designer Michael Whetstone and Art Director Suzan Wexler hired me from the cold email which I sent to Michael along with my resume & portfolio. Another major transition happened when I joined the Art Directors Guild in early 2022 as an Assistant Art Director. I got the wonderful opportunity to work on the hit Paramount Plus show ‘Star Trek Picard’ Season 3 under fantastic Production Designer Dave Blass who is one of my mentors. Dave recognized my potential and gave me my first big break.What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?Challenge 1: The biggest challenge was the financial aspect. I come from a middle class Indian household and I am the first person from my family to get my Masters from the United States. My parents have never even traveled outside India. I received my fellowship from Chapman University where I got my MFA from which really helped me in financing my education. I worked on campus at Chapman University for two years as a student assistant, illustrator and social media content creator to support myself and manage the finances.Challenge 2: Another challenge was to figure out the path by myself. I personally wouldn’t consider this as a challenge as I was always a very stubborn child who was very clear of what she wanted and went after that fearlessly. But I think for the viewer who’s reading this article, this can be a common challenge – to figure it out when you don’t have anyone who you can get guidance from. The best way is to do the research, study the paths of people that you admire and set your goals accordingly. For example, I had set the target to get into the Art Directors Guild Trainee program way before I even moved to California to get my masters. I researched and studied everyone who got into that program to understand where they are coming from. I found a common link. Most of them had an MFA in Production Design from the best film schools.Challenge 3: The most important challenge was to get my first break whether in Bollywood or Hollywood when I had absolutely zero connections. The important thing that I did was to put myself out there and reach out to people in the industry. I got lucky to receive extremely positive responses and got hired. The key is to let people know what you want. For example, When I was reaching out for the Art PA positions in Hollywood, which was my first opportunity, I made sure I mentioned that I was looking to join the union as an Assistant Art Director in the near future. People can only help you if you know what you want, so don’t be afraid to go after what you set your eyes on just like Arjuna who lays his target on ‘the eye of the bird’ in the Indian Epic Mahabharata.Where do you work now?Can you tell us about your Current Role?I am a member of the Art Directors Guild as an Assistant Art Director. I don’t work for a specific company but work on different projects both in Film and TV. Some of my credits include Abbott Elementary Season 1, Star Trek Picard Season 3, the hit Fox show ‘9-1-1’ Season 6 and Hulu feature film ‘White Men Can’t Jump’. I also got the wonderful opportunity to be a panelist at San Diego Comic con international in July 2023 for the ‘Women of the Hollywood Art Department’ panel discussion. I am currently working on short films and commercials as a production designer as we have the twin strikes (WGA & SAG-AFTRA) in Hollywood right now. I am hoping it all gets resolved soon. I have a short sci-fi project which I am working on right now titled ‘Don’t get close’ for which I am super excited as a production designer.What skills are required for your role? How did you acquire the skills?A production designer imagines and designs the world in which a story takes place whether it’s in Film or TV.The design holds the key to transport the audience in different worlds and timelines. It is my dream to design a world that the world hasn’t seen before. Being imaginative, having the passion and good communication skills, I think would be the most important skills that are needed to be in this industry. We all work 12 hours a day, so it’s very important to be passionate about it. Be ready to learn. Everyone starts somewhere, no one is born with all the knowledge in the world. There is a first time for everything. Being humble and letting others know that you are new and are open to learning is very helpful. Making a mistake is acceptable but learning to correct it is the key. 3D Modelling, concept illustration, basic 2D sketching skills, understanding of color, basic knowledge of construction, understanding of building materials and hardware would be helpful.What’s a typical day like?As an Assistant Art Director, I am a part of the Art Department which is responsible for bringing ideas to life. A typical day on a union project starts at 6 or 7 am in the morning. We usually work 12 hrs. a day.What is it you love about this job?I am responsible for researching and finding all the fun stuff like flooring, tiles, hardware, doing layouts and making look books when needed . I am a very tactile person, and so I love getting all the materials.How does your work benefit society?Honestly, there isn’t a direct reaction or benefit but indirectly it can impact or inspire other people. The end goal of a production designer is to transport the audience into different worlds existing within different timelines. A viewer forgets his/her reality and gets lost in the movie. Sometimes, if the job is very well done, he/she feels like they are living in that world. A character’s journey or overall theme of the movie can inspire people in real life to take bold steps and move further along in their own real life’s journey.Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!I worked on a short film titled ‘La Casita de la mariposa’ – English translation of the title – ‘The House of the Butterfly’ as a production designer which is close to my heart.It had a great script and gave me the freedom to express myself as an upcoming production designer. The most fun part was to design the dream sequences ranging from fantasy vanity mirror scenes, Music Box to large childhood Castle Façade. All these sequences best showcase my potential and I always include them in my portfolio even today. I won several ‘Best Production Design’ awards for this short film.Your advice to students based on your experience?I would just tell them to follow their heart and choose the path where they find happiness. Just jot down any activity or hobby that makes them happy and they lose track of time while doing it. If they really love what they are doing, they will never work a day in their life. Success comes more naturally since they will always give their best in whatever they are doing. So don’t follow the herd mentality and really find their own purpose and what satisfies their own soul. Be bold and rest will follow. The universe always supports and falls in love with a stubborn heart who follows its passion.Future Plans?My target is to become a production designer in Hollywood for fantastic union projects. I am currently an Assistant Art Director and I am working my way up the ladder to reach that position.Here is my website to know more about my work :
#J-18808-Ljbffr