Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacquelyn Davis.
Jacquelyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I went to a STEM and performing arts high school in Simi Valley, CA and graduated with an emphasis is graphic design, hoping it would help with my career at FIDM, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. I entered FIDM in the Visual Communications program to get my AA. Visual communications is a large umbrella term for almost everything visual. From styling clothes and food to window displays. After finishing my AA, I went on to get my BA from FIDM as well, with an emphasis on Set Design and Decoration. While in this program, I began working with small indie projects and student films from other LA schools like the American Film Institute, New York Film Academy, USC Film School and UCLA. This industry is all about networking and making connections with others on set in both personal and professional ways. While still in school and since graduating, I have worked on two feature-length movies and numerous short films, as well as a few promotional photoshoots and videos.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been smooth. Covid hit us right at the end of my AA program. This threw everyone off and left us all floundering around. At that point, I was already set to start my BA program, which was going to be all virtual. During this program, we were required to have internships with productions and gain hours. It was really hard finding jobs that wanted a bunch of students on set. Crews were cut in half most of the time to limit Covid risks. Luckily, AFI had a close relationship with FIDM and helped set us all up with regular opportunities to work on their sets. I met a lot of people through AFI and still work with them regularly!
Even after two years, it’s still hard to get consistent work. You need experience to work but it’s hard to get the experience when projects are small with smaller budgets. I’ll sometimes take work and be paid only enough to cover gas and a little extra. But I still go and put my all into my work because that leaves a good impression on my peers that I work no matter the situation. All experience is good experience.
Between jobs, I’ve started landscaping and baking to fill the gaps. These are both creative outlets for me and let me exercise that part of my brain.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a set decorator, not to be confused with set designer. I’m responsible for all the little details that make a set come to life. From furniture and wall hangings to napkins and silverware, I meticulously sift through thrift stores, Amazon and other stores to find the right fit for the aesthetic of the project. I’ve only completed a few projects where I was the lead set decorator and I’m very proud of myself for handling the stress and responsibility of the position on top of school. I did an entire off-set up, with help of course from my prop master, art director and production designer. Having help is so important in this industry. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the help my friends, family and classmates.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I’m not afraid to text my production designer and ask a million questions about what they think looks best. When I work with one specific designer for a while, we create our own shorthand and are more comfortable in being direct with questions and clearing confusion. I also own a Cricut, so I use the advantage of personalizing props and other items for set a lot. It saves a lot of money on production to have someone in-house know how to print and cut vinyl.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think being friendly and easy to work with is so important while also being good at your job. I like to talk to people and make friends. This has gotten me jobs in the past because I feel like people remember how I was easy to be around. If you have a bad attitude it affects everyone around you and makes life miserable. Life on set is hard and it’s easy to make mistakes and sometimes things aren’t smooth. That’s life, you just have to adjust and always be ready to change at the last minute. Being flexible and not letting things affect you is so important.
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Image Credits
Bettina Campomanes Catalina Parra Matt Burke
