Work is a funny old thing. I went to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and graduated as a Scenic Artist for theatre, where we also studied set design and building, prop making and costume construction. Although we trained in theatre, a lot of the skills we learned were applicable to working in the TV & film industry too. I got my first paid job as a prop buyer for a kids TV show while I was still at uni (Ed & Oucho's Excellent Inventions) and the rest, they say, is history!
It took a while for the paid work to start happening, and while I was still at uni I did a lot of freebies. It definitely gave me some invaluable experience, and paid off in the long run because by the time I graduated I was signing a contract to start my first big job as Art Director for The Weakest Link. I have been self employed for the past 3 years, until last year I finally took the plunge and registered as a LTD company. I am still at the stage where I go between working as an Art Department Assistant, and an Art Director. The nature of the business is that I will take on various different job roles in between (prop buyer, prop maker, scenic artist) it all really depends on the size and budget of the production. The smaller the job, the more you end up taking on not just your own title but end up doing a bit of everything.
Things were pretty quiet over Christmas and New Year, but on Monday I start up on the second series of Channel 4's Fill Your House For Free with Kirstie Allsopp.
It took a while for the paid work to start happening, and while I was still at uni I did a lot of freebies. It definitely gave me some invaluable experience, and paid off in the long run because by the time I graduated I was signing a contract to start my first big job as Art Director for The Weakest Link. I have been self employed for the past 3 years, until last year I finally took the plunge and registered as a LTD company. I am still at the stage where I go between working as an Art Department Assistant, and an Art Director. The nature of the business is that I will take on various different job roles in between (prop buyer, prop maker, scenic artist) it all really depends on the size and budget of the production. The smaller the job, the more you end up taking on not just your own title but end up doing a bit of everything.
Things were pretty quiet over Christmas and New Year, but on Monday I start up on the second series of Channel 4's Fill Your House For Free with Kirstie Allsopp.
Here's me creeping about a local prop store called Love Salvage with Gary last week (these sort of places are open to the general public too, so if you like your vintage and antique shopping they're well worth a wander around!) Gary just came along to keep me company but he also works in the telly business as a prop maker. He is currently working on Outlander, which is the televised version of some well known books (so I'm told) It is being made by the same people that did Spartacus, and is looking great so far! Can't wait to see it on the screen.
My dress code when working is totally dependant on the job. If we are in the studio you normally wear all black, outside on location you need your wet weather gear etc. But on a day like this where I'm prop sourcing I normally just go for casual and comfy! Definitely with the shoes, they need to be when you are on your feet for 12 hours a day (the longest day I have ever worked was 18 hours. Undoubtably not legal. I did once work a 22 hour day where I ended up in the back of an ambulance in a hypo, but I don't like to talk about that too much haha)
These new comfy trainers are from Drunknmunky. They are like walking on pillows!
I always carry a tote bag when I'm out prop buying to keep my paperwork, petty cash and lists in. This one which I got for Christmas makes me laugh. I HAVE SO MUCH TO DO is pretty much the general consensus for the length of any telly job, from prep, to filming, to clear up time!
I have cleared out the kit box which I keep in the house, ready to rock and roll for monday. It has one level below this which is full of spraypaints but I didn't think that would make for a very interesting photograph. The key to most art dept kits is to expect the unexpected and have a little bit of as many different things as you can! For last minute repairs and touch ups on set. This is just my standby box, the boot of my car is crammed full of another 5 kit boxes for painting, prop making, stationary, tools and materials.
One thing I am looking forward to using on the channel 4 job is my new kit bag, again from Drunknmunky. This little over the shoulder messenger bag will be perfect for running about on set and keeping the absolute basics in. Oh, and clipping my walkie talkie onto! I'd never thought about a small bag before, and would always just run back to my box until an Art Director I worked with last year always used one.
It is small enough to carry about on set comfortably but has a decent amount of space and compartments for scissors, tapes, glue, pens etc. Drunknmunky have a sale on at the moment, and are also offering 15% to my readers until 10th of Feb with the code LBOH-MUNKY. Let me know if you end up buying anything! It's mostly guys stuff on there at the moment, but a lot of it is unisex :)
I'm a bad one for not having any proper wet weather gear, but I need to change that soon as filming in the scottish weather can be horrible at times! I've got these new biker boots from Spartoo for any exterior filming we do on this job, and they're nice and padded inside which again is what I look for in work shoes because I am on my feet for so long each day.
My job can be very stressful, but I have vowed to never ever let myself get into the state I got in a few years ago off the back of a very well known comedy panel show (which will remain unamed...) The combination of stress, not eating, not sleeping made me ill enough to go to hospital. It's really hard to come home from a 14 hour day and switch off, but I'm getting better at it as the years go on. Although I love what I do, no job is worth making you physically ill. These three books keep me grounded and stay by my bed while I'm working. 'It's not how you are, it's how good you want to be' and 'Whatever you think, think the opposite' by Paul Arden. Then 'Way Of The Peaceful Warrior' by Dan Millman. Lighting my favourite incense nag champa also helps to chill me out, and I've also got Airwick's newest candle Essential Pearls burning by my bedside too. It smells lovely (sort of orangey) and is lasting really well. I've had it burning every night this week as I've sat and worked my way through prop lists with a massive pot of tea.
Motivational books, candles and tea might not be the best form of stress relief for everyone but it works for me :) Despite how intense and competitive it is working in the TV and Film industry, I love what I do and wouldn't change it for the world. If you want a nosy at the sort of programmes I have worked on in the past you can check out my website - www.aydenmillar.com
What do you do for a living? and does it stress you out or do you love it? (or, both!)
(P.S If you have any questions about getting into the theatre, film or tv industry then don't hesitate to drop me an email)