Today we’d like to introduce you to Arri Caviness.
Arri, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in Texas and was always a “school first” kind of kid. I did well in my classes but didn’t feel particularly drawn to any subjects beyond art and literature. In retrospect, that makes a lot of sense. In my free time, I loved to draw and paint and make little knick-knacks, but I never considered that my artistic pursuits could become anything more than hobbies. I started undergrad at the University of Texas at Austin without declaring a major. On a whim, I applied and was accepted to the Radio-Television-Film program. I quickly discovered a passion for designing film sets and devoted the rest of my time at UT to designing every short film I could manage.
After about a year of working freelance after graduation, I applied (again, on a whim) to the Production Design MFA program at Chapman University. After being accepted, I packed up my life and made the big move from Texas to California. At Chapman, I became a much more technically proficient designer. Shortly after graduating in May, I became a part of the Art Director’s Guild Production Design Initiative program. I’m looking forward to starting work as an Art Department PA—the next baby step towards my goal of becoming a professional production designer for films and television.
Has it been a smooth road?
Moving to Los Angeles was the scariest thing I’ve had to do. I tend to commit to big decisions quickly before I can change my mind, but it was so hard to leave my lifelong home. There’s a lot Texas needs to work on, but it’s still home, ya know? And I have to be honest— none of the grocery stores around here can compare to an H-E-B. Anyway, I have missed my family and friends so much. It was a huge adjustment and it took me a long time to find a rhythm here. But, I’ve been so fortunate to have family right here in California and a great group of supportive friends who I feel like I’ve known forever. Now, I love LA. And, through a series of happy coincidences, my parents ended up relocating just a few hours away from me. Funny how things work.
Please tell us more about your art.
As a designer, I think my strength lies in creating environments that draw you in with a touch of the fantastic. If you’re going to build a new world from scratch, why stick to the rules of this one? When I’m given the opportunity to create a setting, I see no reason not to have a little fun. I love to use bold colors and patterns and play with scale to emphasize elements of the story. The magical realism of films like Big Fish and Daughters of the Dust, and the show Pushing Daisies has had a huge impact on my approach to design. I want to help tell stories that not only offer a temporary escape from reality but push people to see the charm of our own world. It’s right there, you just have to dig a little bit sometimes.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I hope I’m not being idealistic in saying that I’m excited to see a more inclusive and accessible entertainment industry. I think Black filmmakers, filmmakers of color, and female filmmakers are making it clear that we’re going to tell our stories by any means necessary. And we’re no longer afraid to speak our minds for fear of retribution. I’m just starting out in my professional career, but in my experience there are so many people who are incredibly generous with their time and genuinely want to help others succeed. I’ve already been very lucky to meet and work with amazing artists whose main focus is collaboration, not competition.
Contact Info:
- Website: arricaviness.com
- Email: [email protected]
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