.png)
From Harry Styles to James Corden: Production Designer Sally Lock
- Emily Maguire
- May 16, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 24
In episode 5 of the Inside Entertainment Industry Careers podcast, Sally Lock discusses her career journey in the world of production design. She shares insights into the production process from concept development to design and construction. Sally also advises our listeners to never give up on learning or their dreams.
Sally Lock discusses her journey into the world of production design, starting from her fascination with film sets as a child. She shares how she discovered her passion for art and practical design, leading her to pursue a career in set design for film and TV. Sally explains the process of communicating her vision to the director and the rest of the team, from concept development to designing and constructing the set.
She explains the importance of attention to detail and maintaining the continuity of sets throughout filming. Sally also highlights the flexibility and adaptability required in the industry and the importance of constantly learning and staying up-to-date with new technology and techniques, and encourages aspiring professionals to persevere, keep learning, and never give up on their dreams.
Listen to Podcast: Episode 5 with Sally Lock
Childhood Fascination with Film Sets
"I think there was always a big influence from watching films and the magic of the film. So I would watch something like The Goonies or Back to the Future, and the sets were amazing."
Sally Lock's journey into the world of production design started with her fascination with film sets as a child. Watching movies like The Goonies and Back to the Future ignited her passion for the art and practical design involved in creating film sets.
Discovering a Passion for Art and Practical Design
"I realized that I'm dyslexic, and a writing course kind of career was never going to be one for me. But art, you know, I just love doing it all the time."
Sally discovered her passion for art and practical design early on. Despite her dyslexia, she found joy in creating art and decided to pursue a career in set design for film and TV. Her journey led her to explore various educational paths, including spatial design, interior design, and architecture.
The Excitement of Different Materials
"When you're filming and you're coming up with a design for something like these different sets, you have to know how materials work."
Sally emphasises the importance of understanding different materials in production design. Her hands-on experience with welding, construction, and colour theory helped her gain a deeper understanding of how materials can be manipulated and used creatively in set design.
The Joy of Learning from Others
"Watching TV inspires me and excites me about what others are making. It is because we fell in love with the industry."
Sally finds inspiration in watching movies and TV shows, learning from the creativity of others in the industry. She enjoys seeing how different teams come together to create visually stunning sets and appreciates the collaborative nature of production design.
On-Set Collaborative Working
"There is a collaboration among all departments to respect each other's talents and creativity and help each other out."
Sally highlights the importance of collaboration on set. She believes that respecting each other's talents and working together as a team is crucial for creating successful productions. Each department plays a vital role in bringing the director's vision to life.
Understanding and Communicating a Vision
"It's a very long process. A lot of it's not actually ever seen by everybody."
Sally explains the process of communicating her vision to the director and the rest of the team. From concept development to designing and constructing the set, she emphasises the importance of clear communication and collaboration to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Scripted Versus Unscripted
"I started off in scripted, and I did scripted for nearly ten years as an assistant as a graphic designer for props to an art director; then, I moved into different worlds and became a production designer and head of a department."
Sally discusses her experience working in both scripted and unscripted productions. She enjoys the flexibility of working on different types of projects, from scripted dramas to music videos and documentaries. Each type of production offers unique challenges and opportunities for creativity.
Embracing Changeable Work Environments
"Even on the same project, it can change from Monday through Friday. The project I'm currently working on started with one sort of design style, and then they decided they wanted to go more technologically advanced."
Sally embraces the changeable nature of work environments in the creative industries. She enjoys the challenge of adapting to different design styles and solving problems on the fly. Each project brings new opportunities to learn and grow as a production designer.
Working on Music Videos
"There's a buzz of being in the room where you've got some of the most amazing artists in the world standing there in front of you."
Sally shares her excitement about working on music videos. She loves the energy and creativity involved in creating sets for performances by artists like Lady Gaga, Elton John, and Harry Styles. The collaborative process and the thrill of seeing the final product on screen are incredibly rewarding for her.
The Excitement of True-Life Documentaries
"Getting a real story and helping to create that on screen. It could be a story that's shocking or something like that, but people don't really know the details."
Sally also finds fulfilment in working on true-life documentaries. She enjoys the challenge of designing sets that support the storytelling without overshadowing the narrative. Her goal is to create environments that enhance the authenticity and impact of the story being told.
Working with Different Budgets
"Sometimes, the low budgets give you the ability to be the most creative or force you to be creative because you don't have the money."
Sally discusses the challenges and rewards of working with different budgets. While big-budget productions offer more resources, low-budget projects often require more creativity and problem-solving. She finds satisfaction in creating impactful sets within budget constraints.
The Benefit of Hindsight: Advice From Peers
"Always be attentive and always be interested in what's being filmed. I think that's because you're learning when you're on set."
Sally shares valuable advice she received from peers throughout her career. She emphasises the importance of being attentive and continuously learning on set. Observing and understanding the roles and responsibilities of different departments can enhance one's skills and knowledge.
Learn Your Trade Working as a Runner
"There's nothing that made me learn more than being a runner. You were a runner in the art department, and you want to be in the art department, and you're closely aligned with that team."
Sally highlights the importance of starting as a runner to learn the ins and outs of the industry. Working in various roles and departments provides a comprehensive understanding of the production process and helps build valuable connections.
Perseverance and Learning
"You have to keep knocking on the doors; at some point, it will click, and at some moment, it will become your full-time career."
Sally advises aspiring professionals to persevere and keep learning. The journey to a successful career in production design may be challenging, but persistence and continuous self-improvement are key to achieving one's goals.
Advice for Newcomers
"You have to keep knocking on the doors; at some point, it will click, and at some moment, it will become your full-time career."
Sally emphasises the importance of perseverance and continuous learning. She advises newcomers to keep knocking on doors and not be discouraged by rejection. Persistence is key to eventually making production design a full-time career.
"Always be attentive and always be interested in what's being filmed. I think that's because you're learning when you're on set."
Sally encourages newcomers to be attentive and interested in the filming process. Observing and understanding the roles and responsibilities of different departments can enhance one's skills and knowledge.
"There's nothing that made me learn more than being a runner. You were a runner in the art department, and you want to be in the art department, and you're closely aligned with that team."
Starting as a runner is crucial for learning the ins and outs of the industry. Working in various roles and departments provides a comprehensive understanding of the production process and helps build valuable connections.
"Look after your body, particularly if you're making. It's okay if you have an evening where you can't push anymore, and you need a chocolate bar and a glass of red wine; you should do that. Or do some yoga or go for a run."
Maintaining physical and mental health is essential for long-term success. Sally advises newcomers to prioritise self-care to avoid burnout and stay productive.
"It's really important to join the union. It's really important not to work for free, even though it's tempting, and try to push back against some of the more negative aspects of the industry."
Joining unions and resisting the temptation to work for free are important for maintaining a sustainable career. Sally emphasises the importance of advocating for fair working conditions and compensation.
"It's really important to push back against that and try and share your skills and all sorts of questions; you get further a lot faster if you can ask them something you don't know how to do."
Being open to learning and sharing knowledge with others can lead to better relationships and more successful projects. Sally encourages newcomers to ask questions and seek help when needed, fostering a collaborative environment.
"Work-life balance is really important. My advice would be to protect it and be nice to people. I feel really lucky that I spend my time doing something that I love. I absolutely love this career, and I put my whole life into it. But when someone gets very ill, or something like that happens, they take over, and you realise that your life is an awful lot more than your career."
Maintaining a work-life balance is crucial for long-term success and happiness. Sally advises newcomers to prioritise their health and relationships alongside their careers.
Short Biography
Sally Lock is a Production Designer specialising in Scripted and Unscripted TV, Music, and Commercial projects. With a background in Architecture, she holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from universities in England and the USA. Over the span of 20 years, Sally has advanced from entry-level runner roles to Art Director and now holds the position of Production Designer.
Her extensive portfolio includes a variety of projects, such as designing music video sets for Harry Styles' "Treat People with Kindness," the MTV European Music Awards, Ed Sheeran's "Sum of it all," and creating innovative concepts for shows like First Dates, The Dog House, The Circle, and The Big Flower Fight. In the scripted realm, Sally has contributed to productions like The Suspects, The Inbetweeners, Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon's Royal Wedding special, and The James Corden Late Late Show. Sally's work is characterised by a deep passion for crafting unique and visually captivating sets.
