“Motion Picture & Theatre - Set Dresser” means a person who performs pre-production activities such as reviewing scripts, maintaining hardware kit, packing and cleaning supplies and petty cash float, ensuring lock readiness, determining truck requirements, ensuring equipment is labeled, loading and unloading truck, surveying set, verifying inventory has been received, prepares set for dressing, obtains set pieces, assembles and ages set dressing, communicates pre-wiring needs, arranges special equipment needs, prepares set for dressing and blocking, verifies access to set and set readiness, constructs minor set pieces, determines storage area, photographs location, dresses set, reviews breakdown and floor plan, hangs drapes, artwork, and blinds, places light fixtures, blocks set, places “smalls”, details set, disguises identifiable products, labels dressing, wraps set, obtains boxes, reviews rental agreement and transportation orders, secures hero dressing, prepares set to be dismantled, inspects dressing for loss and damage, cleans and repairs set dressing, restores location.

What do these workers do?
(Source: BC Work Futures)

Motion Picture & Theatre - Set Dresser is part of the broad trade catergory of Other Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting and the Performing Arts.

The motion picture, television, radio and theatre production industries employ a variety of workers who assist with the coordination and technical aspects of the production process. The duties for most of these workers are:

Supervise others. Floor managers coordinate camera operators and other technical staff and cue announcers, actors and performers during news broadcasts and television program tapings. Key grips supervise grips, gaffers and stagehands who rig, place, move and dismantle lights, sets, backdrops, scenery and other stage equipment.

Set up lighting. Gaffers and lighting technicians set up, operate and make repairs to lights and other electrical equipment in studios and on sets and stages.

Co-ordinate special effects. Stunt coordinators and special effects technicians design and co-ordinate special effects such as fires, explosions and crashes.

Prepare actors for scenes. Makeup artists apply cosmetic and special-effects makeup for actors and other performers. Costume set directors and technicians determine the necessary costumes and oversee the acquisition, design, fitting and maintenance of costumes.

Prepare sets and props. Settings shop foremen assist in preparing the construction specifications for sets. Property masters identify and list the necessary props, and place them during rehearsals and performances.

Support other functions. Others in this occupation group include workers who prepare television and radio schedules, audition and cast performers for roles, schedule and oversee rehearsals, coordinate set activity, and provide catering, dressing rooms and transportation for the cast.

Read the full Motion Picture & Theatre - Set Dresser Profile (56kb pdf).

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