Production Design for Film V.S. Theatre Design

I was an assistant of production designer when I studied undergraduate. I learned many knowledge of production design for film from him. That was a really hard job, but It was an nice experience. I finally could see how the process worked in real life, not from books. But compared to theatre design, I admitted that I don't know much... However, in PGC and PGD, I read some books and I went to be a volunteer worked in theatre. Although my knowledge of theatre design still less than production design for film, it is better than before. In my country (Taiwan), lots of theatre designers are production designers as well, I always wander are they the same? In fact, it's not the same at all, but some part is similar .

I think the process is quite similar. Starting from the stories, discussing with directors and drawing pictures. 

• reading scripts to identify factors indicating a particular visual style;
• considering the production brief, which may be written or oral;
• meeting the producer and director to discuss concepts and production requirements;
• researching art history, background politics, historical information and producing design ideas;
• planning and monitoring the design budget;
• providing scale drawings or models for studio or theatre sets;
• producing design ideas for costumes, wigs, props, special effects, make-up and graphics;
• identifying and assessing potential studios and locations;
• sourcing appropriate materials and researching effects;
• presenting ideas to others involved in the production, such as actors and camera operators;
• researching, estimating and preparing a property list;
• hiring and managing an art department team or teams (depending on the size of the production);
• instructing the set construction company, scenic artists and special effects specialists, and monitoring their work;
• liaising with the costume designer and the director of photography, as well as the props, lighting and sound directors;
• attending progress meetings, rehearsals and filming to advise on visual presentation.

                                                     from:   http://www.prospects.ac.uk/production_designer_theatre_television_film_job_description.htm

But look some details, you will find out it is different! 

First of all, as a production designer, when he/she reads the story and thinks about locations, usually those locations can be built separately. For example, if there are 10 scenes in a movie, the production designer can build them in a big studio in different area even in different time. When the director shoot the first scene, the second scene can be built in the same time. On the other hand, usually theatre designers have to build all the scenes in a same place. They need to design the scenes can be changed in the stage in a few minutes. Theatre designers also need to consider about "Can all of the audiences see the stage?" It seems theatre design is harder then production design for film, but the answer is no. Because in spite of scenes can be built separately, some times the scenes should be very detail. Not like in theatre, audiences are far away from stage. In film, it depends on shoots. After all compared to theatre design, art of film is more close to our real life; drama is more close to imagination.

Secondly, it's also different when they prepare props. in film, it's good to prepare a real one. As what I said before, it's more close to our life. But in theatre, designers should use other lighter material to make a new one. Usually, easy to move is very important in theatre design. For instance, if the director needs a tree, it's fine to use a real one in film. On the contrary, use a real tree is too heavy to move. It's really hard to move away in few minutes. 

I only list two points which I think it's interesting. Of course there are lots of difference I didn't mention about. However, although theatre design and production design is quite different sometimes, they all base on performance. In my viewpoint, that's why there are also many designers work in two area. Because they love performance!