The GRFF’s Indie Lounge concluded today with a daring roof-top jump and a man running ablaze down King St.  Stuntman Blair Johannes jumped from the top of the Kitchener Children’s museum.  The jump was quickly followed by Randy Butcher and dramatically staggering down King St. Both stunt demonstrations were part of a more elaborate event that brought industry professionals from around the world to Kitchener to talk the film industry.  This included seminars and workshops in film editing, production, art direction, attaining funding and distribution, and combat filming.  Award winning set and costume designer, Sarah Armstrong, was part of a workshop focused on set design and production.  I asked Sarah a few questions via e-mail before the Indie Lounge and she gave me some great answers regarding the nature of her work.  Here is the interview:

Q: Are you excited about Grand River Film Festival and Indie Lounge?

Sarah : Any venue that allows artists to get together and share ideas, see each others’ work and get inspired excites me.

Q: What inspired you to get into art direction and costume design?

Sarah : I started out designing sets and costumes for theatre.  I fell into film and loved it as a medium…and found it suits who I am as an artist.

Q : What education have you attained, both institutional and “real-world”?

Sarah : I have always been involved in the arts from a young age doing everything from drawing, sculpting, painting, dancing, performing and writing.  Formally, I went to York University in Toronto for Set and Costume Design in Theatre.  After that I went to the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver for Textile Arts and Design.  But everything I have learned about film has been “hands-on” and all on the job.

Q : What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Sarah : I am always proud that I can continue to survive working in the arts.  But I guess the awards I have been nominated for and won validate that I am good at what I do.  I also feel proud when I am happy with the end result of a project and I have been able to stay true to my artistic vision throughout all the complications and realities.

Q : What are (some of) the key concepts in art direction and costume design?

Sarah : I think understanding the story and trying to remain true to the storytelling in a visual way is integral to any project…be it film, television, video, theatre, dance or opera.  Helping the story to be told in a believable way is part of what I do and I take it very seriously.  Making sure that you can facilitate the look of the world being created and also being a part of the creation of that world is part of the job.

Q : What are (some of) the steps in your design process?

Sarah : Reading the script and absorbing it.  Thinking about what the world of the story looks like and the people within it.  Talking to the director and screenwriter (if possible) and collaborating with them.  Assembling visual sources, photos, sketches, scale models, collages, etc……anything that will help to get my ideas across.  Talking to performers and getting ideas for costumes from them.   Working with the Production Designer and other designers to collaborate on ideas.  Looking at the world around me.

Q : How much does a text aid in your design?

Sarah : It is absolutely essential.  Without a story to tell, what is the point?

Q : Do you prefer individual or team work?

Sarah : I always prefer team work and collaboration.  Although it can make things slower or more difficult, it allows me to learn and grow as an artist.  Everything I know is because I have worked with others and learned from them.  Also, nothing in film gets done by the individual…it is always about being part of a team and having to rely on each other.

Q : How do you want an audience to react to your designs?

Sarah : I want an audience to believe in what they see and get absorbed by the story.  I want my work to facilitate that.

Q : Does appealing to an audience take precedence?

Sarah : No.  I think making the story believable and staying true to that is more important.  The audience will draw conclusions of their own no matter what you do.   You ultimately can only ever please yourself.

Q : Do you have any advice for budding art directors and costume designers?

Sarah : Do as much as you can to learn the craft.  Be curious and ask questions about the world around you and spend time exploring it.  Get inspired from things you enjoy.  Take time to get to know what YOU like and what turns you on visually.  Talk to established professionals in the field and find out who you might like to work with and learn from.

The Indie Lounge is a great event for budding film-makers to meet and learn from industry professionals.  The speakers all have their own experiences with the competitive film and theatre industry and all give great insights.  These would be beneficial to anyone who has any inkling of a desire to have any part of a film or theatrical production.

-KS

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