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The Art Director (1949)

November 12, 1949 (US) Documentary • 7m

Overview

A film's art director is in charge of the set, from conception to construction to furnishing. This short film walks the viewer through art directors' responsibilities and the demands on their talents. They read a script carefully and design a set to capture the time and place, the social strata, and the mood. They must be scholars of the history of architecture, furnishings, and fashion. They choose the colors on a set in anticipation of the lighting and the mood. Their work also sets styles, from Art Deco in the 20's to 30s modernism. Then it's on to the next project. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.

Director

Otto Lang

Writer

Top Billed

Dana Andrews

Keywords

No keywords available for this title.

Top Billed Cast

Dana Andrews
Dana Andrews

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Ronald Colman
Ronald Colman

Self - from 'Late George Apley' (archive footage) (uncredited)

Joan Fontaine
Joan Fontaine

Self / Jane Eyre (archive footage) (uncredited)

Ann Harding
Ann Harding

Self - from unidentified film (archive footage) (uncredited)

Rita Johnson
Rita Johnson

Self - from 'The Big Clock' (archive footage) (uncredited)

Charles Laughton
Charles Laughton

Self - from 'The Big Clock' (archive footage) (uncredited)

George Macready
George Macready

Self - from 'The Big Clock' (archive footage) (uncredited)

Dorothy McGuire
Dorothy McGuire

Self / Kathy Lacy (archive footage) (uncredited)

Ray Milland
Ray Milland

Self - from 'The Big Clock' (archive footage) (uncredited)

Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck

Self - Philip Schuyler Green (archive footage) (uncredited)

Jack Stoney
Jack Stoney

Self - from unidentified film (archive footage) (uncredited)

Crew
Otto Lang
Otto Lang

Director



Reviews

CinemaSerf

⭐ 6/10

July 15, 2025

This is quite an interesting short feature that spotlights the creative skills of the art director. Often creating the scenario from scratch, and equipped with a considerable knowledge of the styles of halcyon days as well as an imagination for what might be yet to come, this person has to create detailed sketches from which extensive and obviously expensive sets are built. It’s an integrated position that sees those with lighting and photography… read the rest.

Status

Released

Original Language

EN

Budget

Revenue

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