Judy Farr

Judy Farr is a renowned British set decorator and art director. Farr is well known for her excellent attention to detail and her ultimate dedication to each and every project. She has worked on the liked of The Brothers Grimm, A week with Marilyn, Conan the Barbarian, The Kings Speech and the captivating Downton Abbey.

The British period drama Downton Abbey is one project that Farr ultimately showcases her set decoration skills and her many years of experience. In order to create an authentic portrayal of 1910 England, the creative team analysed old photographs of interiors and involved experts to aid in their research.

Set Decoration - Downton Abbey

With the series being set in Highclere Castle, a beautiful location ion Hampshire, England, it has sparked an interest and curiosity into the Edwardian style and appreciation for British historic homes. Highclere Castle was chosen as the setting for Downton Abbey, because of its individuality between rooms, with each room being decorated differently. Therefore, the creative team did use quite a bit of Highclere’s original furnishings. What is more, they added furnishings, art, period furniture, picture frames, cutlery, crystal ware and lamps, in order to fully capture the setting. In addition, Farr commented in an interview that the team updated the lighting in order to show the transition from gas to electric fixtures that was taking place at the time.

Set Decoration - Downton Abbey

Sources:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0268035/#set_decorator

http://www.61-54design.co.uk/

Set Dressing/Decorating

Set dressing/decorating is an important working role within any production. A set dresser/decorator works efficiently and effectively to create a scenic environment and simply dressers or decorators the set. In collaboration with production designers and directors, they dress the set using furnishings, artwork, lighting fixtures, props and many other objects to create a reliable and believable set for film and television productions.

Hairspray, 2007

What is more, historical period dramas are a common area for set dressers to work in. Period dramas that are set in, or reminiscent of an earlier time period, are a creative and imaginative area for set dressers to work within. However, within this creative field comes great responsibility. Especially with historical period dramas, every detail within the entire production has to be suitable and fit for that era, and care and consideration for every inch of the set in key. Films such as Pride and Prejudice, Hairspray, Titanic, Pearl Harbour and many more, are just a few historical period films that set dressers/decorators have artistically decorated/dressed every inch of the set, with historically correct elements.

Titanic, 1997

Pride and Prejudice, 2005

Notable set decorators/dressers include:

Richard Roberts, noted for The Da Vinci Code, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Game of Thrones, Jack the Giant Slayer and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Francesca Lo Schiavo, known for her work on Shutter Island, Hamlet, The Aviator, Gangs of New York, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Hugo.

Gordon Sim, known for his work on Driven, Chicago, Breach, Hairspray, Nine, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Katie Spencer, famous for her work on Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Hanna and Anna Karenina.

Anna Lynch-Robinson, well known for her work on Les Misérables, Bel Ami, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Made in Dagenham and In Bruges.

Rosemary Brandenburg, known for her work on Hocus Pocus, The Flintstones, Caspar, Psycho, Planet of the Apes, Public Enemies, Hancock, The Island and Cast Away.

Tatiana Macdonald, noted for her work on Billy Elliot, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, Vanity Fair, The Invisible Woman and The Imitation Game.

Nancy Haigh, well known for her work on Bugsy, Big Fish, Forrest Gump, Dreamgirls, and Oz the Great and Powerful.

Sandy Reynolds-Wasco, known for her work on Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Inglorious Bastards, and Reservoir Dogs.

Debra Schutt, notable for her work on The Dictator, Ghost Town, Revolutionary Road and Noah.

Judy Farr, well known for her work on The Brothers Grimm, A week with Marilyn, Conan the Barbarian and The King’s Speech.

Crispian Sallis, known for his work on Hannibal, Jack the Ripper, The Tudors, Gladiator and Camelot.

Sources:

http://www.imdb.com/