Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Sherrier.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
From a young age, I was interested in making things, figuring out how things went together, and manipulating things so they could be viewed in different ways. I also absolutely loved movies and the magic that they could create. It seemed like such a far-off world that I didn’t think it was something I’d be lucky enough to be a part of.
In high school, I discovered the field of architecture and decided that was it. I went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Northeastern University. My favorite thing to do with my designs was curated the experience of the viewer–try to create thresholds and moments that revealed something different in their experience.
In my professional experience, the ability to have that control felt limited. Then I was introduced to theater. I had the incredible pleasure of working with Julia Noulin-Merat in NYC and being exposed to the worlds of theater, opera, immersive design, and event design. This really allowed me to explore all kinds of creative outlets and experience art through a whole new medium.
After working on over 50 projects in two years, I decided to pursue film and moved to LA for grad school… which was something else. It pushed me in ways that I never expected, and I learned incredible lessons. I was able to push and blend my creativity and precision to truly discover my own point of view and style.
Since grad school, I have been lucky enough to continue working in theater, film, and television; with each project always bringing a new lesson.
Has it been a smooth road?
In all honesty, I don’t really think there are any totally smooth roads when working for something you want.
Freelancing is a stressful concept, especially when you are first starting out and switching into a new field. Finding the next job and having faith that it will happen is always a struggle. I was incredibly lucky to find someone who believed in my abilities early on and was willing to teach me when I ran into learning curves, which were abundant.
Another struggle has definitely been a lack of sleep. Between architecture school, hustling through NYC theaters, grad school, and jumping into multiple projects at a time, I joke that I haven’t really slept in at least a decade.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I’m a Los Angeles based Production and Set Designer. As such, I create an environment in which a story is told. The environment needs to meld with the characters which inhabit them so, besides just the creative work, drawings, construction, it takes analysis and research.
To create a seamless story, I work with the Director, Director of Photography, Lighting Designer, Costume Designer, etc.; whoever is in charge of the many departments that bring an idea to life. I love to work with a team to make sure that we are bringing a cohesive vision to the screen or stage.
My experiences in many industries have given me a unique set of skills that I have learned to adapt to each new challenge and project. My eye has been trained to see things in both abstract broad strokes and meticulous details. I also throw my whole self into anything that I agree to be a part of creating.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
There is definitely a shift within film and television in progress due to the increasing demand to stream and have the flexibility of where, where and how to access things. Many different and large-scale companies are making an extra push to produce their own original content in both large and small scales.
With all the technology and images readily available, it seems the consumer is holding things to a higher standard for production value which is an exciting opportunity and, possibly, the challenge for those on the creative side.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lizsherrierdesigns.com
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