period

Making a Tex-Mex Joint an Art Deco Bar by Charlene Wang de Chen

When I was the Production Designer* on a silly web series "Put it On the Table" and one of the challenges we were given was to transform a contemporary Tex-Mex restaurant into an Art Deco vibe.

I'm proud of finding that sconce lamp and think it really made this shot. 

I'm proud of finding that sconce lamp and think it really made this shot. 

Now I love Art Deco period design. like LOVE. As in, I'm a member of the LA and NYC Art Deco Societies, go to the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party, (so in other words I'm a little nuts) and my dream is to work on a period piece film or TV series set in the era. 

Considering this, it was both a fun challenge and a frustrating experience to work with a micro-budget to capture the essence of the Art Deco aesthetic (the era in which Monopoly was designed) on a set that wasn't suppose to be a faithful and historic Art Deco interior but rather a surrealistic and disjointed fever dream suggestion of the Art Deco aesthetic. 

Additionally, the location they found for us to use for these shots was a Tex-Mex restaurant and we would have 20-30 min to dress the set in between other scenes shot there. 

Considering this, I think we got the job done for under $30:

*I mean I was Production Designer, Set Decorator, Set Dresser, Props, and On-Set....you know for these small things you are basically the whole Art Department.  In this case it was my talented friend Eimi Imanashi and I who were the Art Department for the whole shoot. 

 

Searching for the Perfect Cake by Charlene Wang de Chen

I love nothing more than being on a quest for that *perfect* item (which is why I find Set Decorating work so fun). And once I'm on the hunt it is hard to temper that impulse to check "just one more store."

Sometimes you have to go through a lot of options (see the range of options I scouted above) until you find that perfect one that the Production Designer (in this case Angelique Clark) had in mind.

and we all know *perfect* means available right away, right size, and good price

and we all know *perfect* means available right away, right size, and good price

you can watch the whole funny promo spot for Odd Mom Out below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dioLWF6oLL4