Meet Astrid Anderson a Production Designer in LA

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Being born and raised in Los Angeles, I grew up seeing film productions all throughout LA. I really fell in love with film as a child when I started learning English. American cinema helped me develop not only my English speaking skills but also my fascination with motion pictures.My Peruvian Father had a big part in encouraging me to explore Latino cinema. The wonderful, saturated colors of el cine Latino have absolutely shaped my design style. Like many immigrants, my Mexican mother believed in honing in your D.I.Y skills before the term “D.I.Y” existed. Amongst these skills was carpentry, which I instantly fell in love with. I combined my love for building, film and vibrant colors, and that led me to designing film sets.I graduated from film school in 2011 with a concentration in Production Design. I then started working as a freelance Designer and began building my portfolio. I have been a PD for almost eight years and have accomplished so many milestones that I could have only dreamed of before. It took a lot of hard work, discipline, and consistency to get me to where I am today.Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road but definitely the path I had to take. I needed years of experience just to start scratching the surface of what Production Design entails. I learned that being passionate about my craft wasn’t going to be enough to help me achieve my dreams. I had to organize and separate myself as an artist and a business. My biggest challenge has been respecting my boundaries with work. Being a freelance artist means you don’t always get to clock out. I accepted that for me to grow as a creative, I needed to honor my health and my time. It took a long time to find a balance of consistent and quality work. It has been so helpful that there are a lot more opportunities for women in the film industry post the “Me too” movement. Work has been the most consistent as of the last two years. I can never ignore how much of a boys club the film industry is but I’m not easily deterred.

Production Designer – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a Production Designer with experience in Set Design and Scenic painting. Production Designers are responsible for the visual concept/design of a film, television or theater production. I’m known for my versatility in the art department. I have experience set building; painting faux textures, prop making, food styling and building art installations.

I’m most proud of my problem-solving skills and creativity. I believe in working smarter not harder. I work well under pressure, which is crucial for working in such a fast paced environment. The fact that I’m a young, WOC definitely sets me apart. Latinas make up a very small percentage in the film industry.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The best moment of my career is not one isolated experience. I feel proud of myself for taking up space and feeling like I belong. I’m thankful to be granted a chance to share my talent. It’s so important to give minorities an opportunity to be a part of the story telling process. We need diverse narratives through all realms of creativity. Because art is made to make us feel and there is no voice more empathetic than the oppressed.

As a Latina, I attribute a lot of my strengths to my cultural heritage. Latinos are world famous for their manualidades (crafts) and artesanias (artisan work). Creativity runs in my blood and through mis manos (my hands). There have been so many moments in my career where I utilized every technique that was passed down to me. I grew up always painting, crafting, sewing, building and repairing. I often feel that my hands work faster than my mind can process. In these moments, I’m grateful for my immigrant parents and how they molded my value of hard work.

I have so many Spanish proverbs engrained in my mind that always help me get back up and try even harder. Those are my fondest moments. My mother’s favorite saying always does the trick, “Si vas hacer algo, hazlo bien, sino, no lo hagas.” (If you’re going to do something, do it well, or don’t do it at all). A simple, ‘Andale’ (Go, Get going) will sound in my head whenever I doubt myself. Honoring my ancestors through my resilience and commitment to my dreams will always be my most cherished achievement.

1 Comment

1. 

   Lidia alvarez

   April 2, 2019 at 23:12

   Astrid Anderson has definitely been a hidden gem 💎 she’s a phenomenal artist and a true professional, all the while remaining truly authentic to herself and her craft. Such a talen and a well deserved highlight

   Reply