Profession set builder

Set builders construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain scenic elements used on stage and for filming movies or television programs. They use a wide variety of materials like wood, steel, aluminium and plastics. Their work is based on artistic vision, scale models, sketches and plans. They work in close cooperation with the designers and may build exibition stands for fairs, carnavals and other events.

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Personality Type

Related professions carpentry

  • Cabinet-maker
  • Carpenter
  • Carpenter helper
  • CNC operator
  • Concrete carpenter
  • Furniture maker
  • Kitchen joiner
  • Maintenance carpenter
  • Wood treater

Skills

  • Maintain workshop space

    Keep the workshop space in working order and clean.

  • Maintain theatre equipment

    Check up on, maintain and repair tools and machinery used for onstage purposes, such as lighting equipment, stage sets or scene-change machinery.

  • Work ergonomically

    Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.

  • Prepare personal work environment

    Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.

  • Prevent fire in a performance environment

    Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are aware of fire prevention measures.

  • Paint sets

    Paint set constructions and stage props.

  • Work safely with chemicals

    Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.

  • Follow safety procedures when working at heights

    Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

  • Maintain theatre sets

    Install, check, maintain and repair stages and sets.

  • Keep up with trends

    Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.

  • Adapt to artists' creative demands

    Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.

  • Follow work schedule

    Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.

  • Use personal protection equipment

    Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.

  • Translate artistic concepts to technical designs

    Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.

  • Finish project within budget

    Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.

  • Work with respect for own safety

    Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.

  • Understand artistic concepts

    Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.

  • Work safely with machines

    Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.

  • Adapt sets

    Adapt and move set pieces during rehearsals and live performances.

  • Work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision

    Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.

  • Manage personal professional development

    Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders.

  • Build set constructions

    Design and build wooden, metal or plastic set constructions and set up stage pieces using carpets and fabrics.

Optional knowledge and skills

develop professional network operate forklift work with the director of photography plan workshop activity define set building methods manage technical resources stock ensure cooperation among production, costume department and make-up department make set construction drawings define set painting methods keep personal administration promote yourself attend rehearsals perform first fire intervention operate telehandler manage consumables stock work with the camera crew organise workshop space use moulding techniques photography support a designer in the developing process work with the lighting crew lighting techniques work with prop makers

Source: Sisyphus ODB