Update: This workshop has been postponed and will now take place over zoom after the fest. You can still sign up at finalgirlsfilmfest@gmail.com.
Production Design for Indie Horror Workshop with A.K. Espada
Production Design is a bigger part of horror than a lot of people give it credit for. It’s the setting, the mood—the entire world the film lives in. Besides just making a project look more interesting, the most grounded way to provide exposition for the story and characters without overloading the script with explanatory dialogue is through the sets. Yet many beginning filmmakers put their whole budget toward camera and G&E gear, ignoring the world they’re actually capturing.
As a Production Designer for many scrappy, low-budget projects, A.K. Espada had to learn the cheapest, most effective ways possible to make my projects feel like full worlds. Working as a Scenic Painter for big-budget union projects, whether during construction or on set, it’s common to see even experienced Directors unsure how to effectively work with their Production Designers and Art Department
From indie to Tier 1, she has learned a lot about what’s possible on every budget. In this workshop, she will give you a basic overview of the Art Department roles and what they do, knowledge important for any director to know. Then she’ll scale it down and take you through my process for building unique, fully-formed worlds for your indie shorts and features.
