United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 | Apprenticeship Program

The film and TV industry is exciting, rewarding and makes a great contribution to our local economy. There are a multitude of jobs that are needed to make a production come to life. Among those jobs that are critical to making magic is the role of the scenic artist who is responsible for designing the scenery — and more broadly, the artificial environment — in which a stage, television, or film performance takes place.

Our Staten Island campus is home to a prestigious three-year scenic artist apprenticeship program sponsored by Local USA 829 as a Trust Fund. The program combines approximately four thousand hours of paid on-the-job training and classes led by working Scenic Artists, in a variety of specific craft skills as well as health and safety. Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices become full members of USA 829. Getting into the program is competitive and requires a great deal of commitment. 

The apprentices must complete seminars, homework assignments and projects, and class work — all reviewed and critiqued by the instructors and committee members. The instruction is held at a facility that Broadway Stages donated and remodeled specifically for the apprentice program.  “The work of the scenic artist is critical and we are more than happy to do our part to generate the skilled workforce needed for our competitive industry,” said Tony Argento, founder of Broadway Stages. Their hands-on instruction includes skills in creating faux stain glass windows and graffiti, among many other craft skills they need to create scenery that convince you the actors are really in a particular location. 

United Scenic Artist Class of 2024 practice their graffiti skills. 

One of the apprentices, Timothy Alex, said, “Working as an Apprentice gives me the opportunity to discover, define and refine my skills as a Scenic Artist. Having the support of the Local USA 829 community strengthens me as I navigate my way in this new career.”

These hard-working Scenic Artists are assigned to jobs within the jurisdiction of Local USA 829 over the three years in the Local’s Apprentice program. This includes movies, television, scenery supplier shops, the Metropolitan Opera, and commercials. The time the apprentices invest pays off in experience, networks, and solidarity as they each go on to further their careers in the entertainment industry.

“The benefits of working as an Apprentice have, for me, been unbelievable. I think that working in this role on a crew gives you a special bond with everyone else working alongside you. All of the Scenics I have worked with so far just want to help and teach me. I will be forever grateful for this time in my career,” said apprentice Sophia N. Nahon.

You can read more about the artists in the program HERE. And follow Local USA 829 on Instagram and Twitter for more about this great organization and its contribution to the programs you love.

Broadway Stages is proud to play a role in the development of scenic artists, and to support the efforts of USA Local 829 — to nurture top skilled professionals in the creative industry.  We offer our congratulations to the program participants and look forward to seeing them behind-the-scenes as they create the scenery magic of theatre, television, and movies.  For more information on this and other jobs in film and television, be sure to check out our Industry Resource Guide!

Industry Jobs | Production Studio Company

As one of the premiere studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing needs of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. Not only does the industry need a need a skilled and experienced workforce, but also, they need a facility or location where they can shoot their scenes. Today, we look at the role that the studio production company plays in making a production come to life.  

What is a production studio company?  A production studio company generally offers the soundstages, locations, and ancillary spaces for a variety of film and television productions. The soundstage is used to build out a set (think about the Sunday dinners hosted on CBS’ “Blue Bloods,” or the over-the-top period homes on HBO’s “The Gilded Age,” or the NYPD precinct on NBC’s “Law & Order: Organized Crime”).  The sets are painstakingly and realistically created with the help of artisans that we have spotlighted in this blog series.  From set design and construction to scenic artists, lighting, grip, and more – it takes a village to make a production come to life on a soundstage.  A full-service studio production company brings them all together in one place where they create and tell the stories we love to watch.   

What’s a soundstage? Studio Binder defines a soundstage as “a building that’s used primarily for shooting films. These stages are typically large, warehouse-like buildings.”  The idea of a soundstage was “conceived in response to the advent of sound in film in the late 1920s-early 30s to allow for live audio recording.”  The soundstages of today offer space to accommodate all types and sizes of productions. 

What is a location? Many production studio companies also offer locations where scenes can be shot for a film, TV show, music video or commercial.  What may appear to be a dilapidated building, abandoned structure such as a bank, gas terminal, parking garage, former prison, etc. may well be a maintained location ready to bring reality to the production being filmed.  One example of a location is the former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility on Staten Island. Due to its authentic penitentiary look and feel this location has been the backdrop for popular shows and films like “Orange is the New Black,” “Daredevil,” “Oceans 8,” “When They See Us,” and more. Check out this AP YouTube segment and see for yourself what it looks like inside the prison.

What is ancillary space?  When a production comes to town they come with a cast and crew that need space for their particular craft or discipline. From construction and scenic artists to hair and makeup, wardrobe, props, storage, accounting, editing, and more.  A full-service production studio company provides this type of space to accommodate the needs of their client.                  

WARDROBE Room

set construction shop

What does it take to be in the production studio business?
To be successful, a production studio company needs to be knowledgeable about filmmaking and the industry.  Customer service, communication and flexibility are key along with business skills and a professional network. As with many industry roles, on-the-job experience, including entry level jobs such as production assistant, soundstage assistant, or facility manager, is a way to learn the ropes.  Of course, you also need soundstages, locations and ancillary space to offer to your clients.

As always, you can learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides information about industry-focused job posting sites; links to general recruiting sites; education and training programs; and state, city, and borough industry information.

Watch for our next segment in this series that will focus on the companies that provide products and services to the studio production companies and their clients. 

Greenpoint YMCA Winter Programs Happening Now!

It’s the new year and your local YMCA is ready with fun and healthy activities for everyone. Winter programs, running from January 2 - February 26, 2023 are open for registration at the Greenpoint YMCA. The Greenpoint Y offers Adult Group Exercise & Sports with sports such as pickleball, volleyball, soccer, and basketball, and classes for fitness and conditioning of body and mind. They also offer an extensive schedule of youth classes for toddlers through teens. The Greenpoint Y ‘Just for Kids’ programs include preschool/toddler enrichment classes and dance, sports, and swimming classes for toddlers to teens. If a formal class isn’t what you are interested in, you can peruse the pool and gym schedules for open times.

The Greenpoint Y has several membership packages available. Click here for a complete list of the membership options. And since they are dedicated to making their community accessible, they even have financial aid options. In addition, if you are interested in upgrading to city-wide membership, you will be able to take advantage of each of the 24 locations for the YMCA of Greater New York!.

If you haven’t visited them since they reopened, please note their new hours (Mon-Fri: 6:30 AM-8:30 PM, Sat-Sun: 8:00 AM-3:00 PM). You can also read more about what you need to bring and the Y’s new health protocols in this reopening guide. For your ease, you can add your membership barcode to your mobile app for a contactless check-in when you arrive at the facility!

So, don’t let any more time slip away! Seize the day at the Greenpoint YMCA or the Y in your community, and get the year off to a great start!

Industry Jobs | Composer

As one of the premier studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing needs of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. We provide the industry with a soundstage or location where they shoot their scenes, but they also need a skilled and experienced workforce. In this series, we look at the various jobs that make a production come to life. We hope it provides insight and encourages you to consider a career in the film and TV industry. This week, we look at the role of a film composer.

What does a Film Composer do?

In our last blog, we looked at how the choreographer communicates emotion and tone through movement to help tell the story in a production. In this post, we look at a role that weaves the thread of music into a film to help tell the story. This is the composer, responsible for creating music that evokes emotion and provides tone to elevate the images, actions, and performances seen on screen. According to MasterClass, the composer can be responsible for writing the film’s score (only heard by filmgoers), or might also create music within the film’s story (that which is also heard by the characters). Additionally, the composer might write songs related to the film. A film’s music is yet another integral part of bringing the director’s creative vision to life. Read on for an overview of the composer role in a film production.

The composer can be involved at different stages of a film project, including before filming has started, for example creating an initial score based on storyboards; or after filming has been completed, adding the score to the film. In either case, two individuals that the composer works closely with are the director and music editor, to determine where music will be needed and what type, as well to make edits and changes throughout the music production process. The composer works to create the music, which might be written by hand and performed on piano or created using composition software. According to the Berklee College of Music, the latter is mostly used by composers. The composer might be closely involved in various aspects of producing the music performance and recording, from managing the budget to selecting musicians and conducting, however, they might be less involved and rely on others to handle these activities.

How do I become a Composer?

Although a composer does not need a degree, it is helpful to study music at a university or music conservatory. Indeed.com describes the benefits of bachelor’s and master’s degrees for composers and offers other tips for pursuing the composer role. These include learning about music, networking, pursuing projects, and securing an entry-level job. As with other industry jobs, one can climb the career ladder by starting out as an assistant or working on student and freelance projects to gain experience while building a network and portfolio.

The composer role also requires a diverse set of skills. Berklee College of Music identifies a number of skills a composer should have, including compositional flexibility; ability to read and write music, as well as to arrange and orchestrate; knowledge of music theory; and more. Further, Indeed.com lists teamwork, creative thinking, and self-motivation as important skills. With music being an integral part of telling the film’s story, Careers in Film, highlighting the importance of a composer being a storyteller, says “…If a Composer can understand the plot, motifs, character motivations, transitions, and general story arcs then they’ll be more effective in different sections of the story, creating the correct nuances….” Finally, due to the prevalent use of composition software, a composer should have technical skills and knowledge about relevant software programs.

Read about professional composer Robert Allaire’s experiences and advice at Careers in Film here. Watch this Variety video conversation “Composer Roundtable: How the Art of Film Scoring is Changing“ (featuring Rob Simonsen, who has scored “Blue Bloods,” which is filmed at Broadway Stages). And in the Christmas spirit, see this CBS Sunday Morning piece about Vince Guaraldi’s iconic score for “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

Learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides information about industry-focused job posting sites; links to general recruiting sites; education and training programs; and state, city, and borough industry information.

It’s GivingTuesday!

It’s that time of year again! We are full of gratitude and excited for the winter holiday season. Before you spend all of your holiday-giving budget, why not take a moment to stop and think about how you can help others in our community. Today, GivingTuesday, is a great day to get started.  In fact, it’s the tenth anniversary of GivingTuesday.

Created in 2012 as a simple idea - a day that encourages people to do good - GivingTuesday was born and fostered at the 92NY in New York City.  The idea has grown into a global movement of millions of people who give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. As a result, GivingTuesday is now an independent nonprofit with a global network of leaders, partners, communities, and generous individuals.

On GivingTuesday, millions of people worldwide volunteer at homeless shelters, organize food drives, fill their community fridges, donate to mutual aid funds, and spread messages of solidarity and hope.

Please join us in celebrating GivingTuesday by donating or volunteering your time.  Not sure where to start?  We have a few suggestions below.  On behalf of all of us at Broadway Stages and the many organizations we support, we thank you for your generosity. 

92NY
Alice Austen Museum
Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Bronx Museum of the Arts
Camp Brooklyn Fund Catholic Charities
City Harvest
Committee for Hispanic Children and Families Elmhurt Auxiliary Hospital El Puente
Gilbert Baker Foundation GreenPoint Innovations
Greenbelt Conservancy
Growing Chefs
Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens CDC

Newtown Creek Alliance. New York Botanical Garden New York City Audubon
NOoSPHERE Arts
North Brooklyn Angels
Paley Center for Media
Pride Center of Staten Island
Queens Botanical Garden
RiseBoro Community Partnership
Reel Works
SAGE Advocacy Center
Southside United HDFC – Los Sures
Sunnyside Community Services
The Campaign to End Hunger
Ujima Community Working Together, Inc.
Urban Upbound

Industry Jobs | Choreographer

As one of the premier studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing needs of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. We provide the industry with a soundstage or location where they shoot their scenes, but they also need a skilled and experienced workforce. In this series, we look at the various jobs that make a production come to life. We hope it provides insight and encourages you to consider a career in the film and TV industry. This week, we look at the role of Choreographer.

What does a Choreographer do?

In our last blog, we looked at how the special effects makeup artist transforms an actor’s appearance. In this post, we focus on the role that uses creativity and industry knowledge to design and implement dance and movement, communicating emotion and tone to help tell the story in a TV or film production. This is the choreographer. Read on for an overview of this role.

Dance and movement are not standalone aspects of a production, they are interconnected with other set activities and departments. Therefore, the choreographer collaborates and coordinates with others on set, such as the director and music director, and the costume, set, and lighting departments. The choreographer will be concerned with researching different styles of dance, creating the dance or movement either alone or in collaboration with others; casting the dancers and instructing them; conducting rehearsals, and being on set to guide and coach the dancers and actors.

How do I become a Choreographer?

In addition to knowledge of and experience with dance and movement, a choreographer needs to possess a number of skills. As with other lead roles on set, the choreographer should be a strong leader and communicator as they interact with and instruct others. Berklee College of Music lists these additional abilities, skills, and areas of knowledge that a choreographer should have: teaching; designing movement sequences; knowledge of anatomy and physical fitness; creativity and inventiveness. As for education, a formal degree isn’t necessary, but can provide theoretical knowledge, additional experience, and networking opportunities. However, a choreographer needs years of dance experience as well as experience developing other skills. Backstage lists important skills including the following: knowledge of dance technique; choreographic conceptualizing to tell a story; choreographic writing including stage directions, describing dance formations, and making notes about other related aspects; passion for dance, and more.

There are different ways to pursue the choreographer role. MasterClass suggests the following: mastering different types of dance; studying dance at school; creating dances; and assisting a choreographer. In a Careers in Film interview, choreographer Kathryn Burns (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Drunk History,” and “Teachers” recommends sharing one’s work on social media and studying TV and Film as two helpful steps to being a choreographer. See the full interview here.

Read about a professional choreographer’s experiences in this NPR piece on how Justin Peck (the resident choreographer for the New York City Ballet) worked with Stephen Spielberg to “reimagine 'West Side Story' for the 21st century.” Finally, to get into the holiday spirit, watch this Today video, “Rockettes React To 6 Christmas Movie Dance Scenes.” Happy holidays!

Learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides information about industry-focused job posting sites; links to general recruiting sites; education and training programs; and state, city, and borough industry information.

North Brooklyn Community Boathouse Announces New Facility

The North Brooklyn Community Boathouse (NBCB) announced the construction of a new facility located along Newtown Creek at the East River tributary that forms a substantial portion of the border between northern Brooklyn and Northern Queens. The announcement was made at a press conference held this past weekend. 

The new boathouse location is made possible through a generous grant from the Newtown Creek Environmental Benefit Fund (NCEBF), which is administered by the City Parks Foundation, and Broadway Stages, who have made substantial financial investments and are contributing the required portion of land to build the facility.

The NBCB includes local kayakers, canoeists, sailors, environmentalists, boatbuilders, community leaders, and activists. They are an open group and invite anyone interested in boating, open space, environmental education, and nautical recreation to join their public events and consider membership and volunteering.

The new boathouse will be almost 8,000 square feet. It will provide substantial space for storing kayaks, canoes, paddles, and safety gear. Moreover, it will have safety and skills training facilities, an environmental education center,  and a nautical craft (boatbuilding, paddle carving, knots, etc.) workshop.

Stay tuned for more information about the opening of the new facility expected in 2024.  In the meantime, take a look at photos from the press conference this past weekend.

Broadway Stages Helps Celebrate Fall and Halloween Across NYC

The leaves are changing and its officially fall, and our communities have been busy with celebrations, fundraisers, and Halloween festivities.

Broadway Stages is proud to support our neighbors across the city and offer our sincere appreciation to the various community organizations, individuals and elected officials who serve our neighbors and celebrate community. 

THANK YOU! 

• 94th Precinct Community Council – Community  Halloween Celebration 

• 104th Precinct Community Council – Community  Halloween Celebration 

• Bobbi & the Strays “Masquerade Ball”

• State Assembly Member Maritza Davila (District 53) and Sustainable United Neighborhood – Halloween Celebration

• NYC Council Member Robert Holden (District 30) – Community Halloween Trunk or Treat

• Kiwanis Club of Glendale – Fall Festival

• Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District – Fall Festival

• NYC Parks Department & McCarren Play Center – Halloween Celebration

• St. Stanislaus “Get to the Point” 5K – Fall Fundraiser and Community Run/Walk

• Staten Island Zoo “Spooktacular” and the Sweetbrook Nursery & Garden Center

• And so many more…

And a special word of gratitude to the multitude of volunteers and others that work to ensure the needs of our neighbors are met, and our communities remain safe and vibrant.

Industry Job Focus | SFX Makeup Artist

As one of the premier studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing needs of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. We provide the industry with a soundstage or location where they shoot their scenes, but they also need a skilled and experienced workforce. In this series, we look at the various jobs that make a production come to life. We hope it provides insight and encourages you to consider a career in the film and TV industry. This week, we look at the role of special effects makeup artist.

What Does a Special Effects Makeup Artist Do?

With October comes the celebration of Halloween, with many revelers donning creative costumes depicting their favorite characters, creatures, or personas. In honor of this festive time of year, we look at the Film and TV industry role that remarkably transforms an actor’s appearance using special effects makeup (SFX makeup). SFX makeup can range from minimal effects such as bruising or scars to more complex transformations into characters such as monsters, zombies, or other-worldly creatures.

The SFX makeup artist is involved in the pre-production stage, working with the director and production designer to plan the needed designs; and during the production stage, applying the SFX makeup on the actors. Although SFX makeup artists report to the key makeup artist, they also need to coordinate with other departments on set, such as costume and special effects, to make sure the SFX makeup aligns with the work being done by those departments. SFX makeup artists apply makeup and prosthetics for various effects, such as layering color, creating texture and other desired results. See Backstage for a list of some of the tools (such as applicators, stencils, and airbrushes) and techniques (such as creating 3D replicas, latex skin, and crepe hair) that these artists employ.

How Do I Become a Special Effects Makeup Artist?

As with a regular makeup artist on a set, the SFX makeup artist can gain knowledge and skills by attending cosmetology school. However, to learn the techniques used for SFX makeup, specialized training and certificates are available. Production Beast recommends attending SFX makeup schools or classes and watching online tutorials. As for additional skills, SFX makeup artists should be creative, work well with others, and have a strong attention to detail. Those seeking to enter this field should have an SFX makeup kit and a portfolio to display their work. Some ways to gain experience include working on student and theatre productions, as well as practicing makeup techniques on friends. As with most on-set jobs, a good way to enter the field and work one’s way up is to become an assistant to a professional in the field. Backstage recommends ways “to help get your foot in the door” such as searching for jobs online with production companies, theatres, and themes parks; networking at industry events such as comic book and makeup artist conventions; entering competitions; and promoting your online portfolio on social media.

For a fun look at the history of SFX makeup in film, watch this Vanity Fair video. Learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides information about industry-focused job posting sites; links to general recruiting sites; education and training programs; and state, city, and borough industry information.

Industry Jobs | Dialogue Coach

As one of the premier studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing needs of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. We provide the industry with a soundstage or location where they shoot their scenes, but they also need a skilled and experienced workforce. In this series, we look at the various jobs that make a production come to life. We hope it provides insight and encourages you to consider a career in the film and TV industry. This week, we look at the role of dialogue coach.

What Does a Dialogue Coach Do?

As we post about the many film and TV roles in this industry jobs series, it is easy to see how each role contributes to creating the diverse worlds that help tell stories on screen. Key to telling these stories are the convincing performances by talented actors. Actors are often challenged to portray characters with a variety of accents or speech patterns. This week, we look at the industry role that helps actors learn, practice, and ultimately present convincing performances -- the dialogue (or dialect) coach. Read on for an overview of this important role.

A dialogue coach can help actors convey many facets of a character. According to the Nevada Film Office, “Dialect coaches help actors hone in on their voice and speech control to help create the design of their character’s speaking patterns in a way that effectively communicates the character’s personality traits, upbringing, education, work experience, and cultural travels.” Dialogue coaches can be involved in various stages of production. In pre-production, this might include conducting research; sitting in on auditions to help select actors; preparing actors for auditions; and, once actors get roles, helping them prepare for their performances. During the filming stage, the dialogue coach might be on set. During post-production, the dialogue coach might assist as an actor’s dialogue is added after principal filming. Read more about the role in this overview at Beverly Boy, and watch this “CBS Sunday Morning” video for a look at some examples of actors who have been trained by dialogue coaches in some popular films.  

How Do I Become a Dialogue Coach?

There isn’t a specific path that dialogue coaches must take, as they come from various backgrounds. For example, they might have formal linguistics training or acting experience. However, regardless of their backgrounds, good dialogue coaches should possess certain skills to effectively help their students. According to this Backstage piece, desired skills for this role are the ability to continually learn; a knowledge of vocal and respiratory anatomy and phonetics; an understanding of acting; and an ability to effectively work with each student. Read about Dialect Coach Jessica Drake’s background and experience in this Film Independent article. Drake has worked with stars such as Tom Hanks in “Forrest Gump” (to portray an Alabama accent) and Andrew Lincoln in “The Walking Dead” (to portray a Georgia accent), as well as working on projects including “Yellowstone” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides information about industry-focused job posting sites; links to general recruiting sites; education and training programs; and state, city, and borough industry information.

Greenpoint YMCA | Afterschool Programs

Parents — the new school year will start soon, and if you are looking for an enriching afterschool environment for your child, check out the Y Afterschool program. The Y’s Afterschool program curriculum focuses on learning enhancement, health and recreation, and building competence and confidence in children. At the Y, children will participate in a program that supplements what they have learned in school, provides homework assistance, gives them opportunities to engage their critical thinking skills and to socialize with other kids.

The program runs every regular school day from 3 to 6 p.m., with a staff-to-student ratio of 1:10. The programs are offered at dozens of sites throughout the city, most of which are New York City public elementary and middle schools.

The cost is low or no cost, thanks to generous support from the NYC Department of Education, NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, federal grants through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, The After-School Corporation, leading corporations, foundations, individual donors and the Y's Annual Campaign.

See the Y’s website to find out how you can enroll your child in the Y Afterschool program.

The Greenpoint YMCA is a valuable resource for our local community, providing residents of all ages with fitness and educational opportunities to enrich their lives. The Greenpoint Y is one of 24 branches of the YMCA of Greater New York, which was founded in 1852. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay connected.

Industry Jobs | Food Stylist

As one of the premier studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing needs of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. We provide the industry with a soundstage or location where they shoot their scenes, but they also need a skilled and experienced workforce. In this series, we look at the various jobs that make a production come to life. We hope it provides insight and encourages you to consider a career in the film and TV industry. This week, we look at the role of food stylist.

What Does a Food Stylist Do?

In previous posts, we looked at the props-related art department roles of props manager and animal trainer. An area of props that is integral to our daily lives and so often important to telling a story on screen is food. In this post, we focus on the industry role that is responsible for the food seen on screen in TV and film productions. Read on for an overview of the role of food stylist.  

Depending on the production, the responsibility for the food seen on screen might be handled by the props master or a separate food stylist. During pre-production, the food stylist will review the script for food-related scenes and conduct research on any unique aspects of the food, such as historical or geographical context. In addition to the props master, the stylist works with the director and department heads. Responsibilities of food stylists can include sourcing and preparing food (by themselves or along with team members) and replenishing or resetting food during filming to maintain continuity. Also, food stylists might need to provide instruction to cast members who will work with food on screen. In this Backstage interview, food stylist Christine Tobin (“Julia,” and “Little Women”) describes the food stylist role and provides advice for aspiring food stylists. (Fans can read more about the set and cooking on “Julia” in this Variety piece,” and movie buffs can watch this Vanity Fair video in which Food Stylist Susan Spungen [“Julie & Julia,” Eat, Pray, Love”] reviews food scenes from a number of films).

How Do I Become a Food Stylist?

It goes without saying that food stylists need to possess culinary knowledge, as well as a knowledge of food safety. They also need to be organized and possess good communication skills as they meet production schedules and work with others. Creativity and an ability to solve problems are skills a food stylist needs, to find solutions to the unique issues that come up from production to production. Also, the food stylist should possess an ability to produce items that are edible and can hold up to the conditions of filming. Watch this Movies Insider video interview showing how food was handled in the movie “Midsommar,” including how Chef and Food Stylist Zoe Hegedus found a way to accommodate the negative effects of heat, as well as cast member egg allergies, by creating an edible product that looks just like eggs yolks.

PHOTO CREDIT: STanley quah via pixabay

Culinary school is not necessary but can be helpful to learn relevant skills. Food industry experience and networking will help in this career path. Tobin says, “Getting as much exposure and experiences assisting other stylists was my greatest tool, as was working in restaurants for a solid 20 years….I’d also get in touch with the property masters in your community to introduce yourself and show how you’d be an asset to their team.”

As we all know, Sunday family dinners are a key feature of “Blue Bloods,” the long-running CBS series filmed here at Broadway Stages. Take a look at this CBS piece to see 14 Of The Best Blue Bloods Family Dinner Moments. Read this CBS Watch Magazine article that features “’Blue Bloods prop master Zach Badalucco and freelance recipe developer and caterer Treva Chadwell, the creative and culinary masterminds behind the legendary food and dinner scenes” (the article tells us that “Chadwell, a classically trained chef, and her husband, John, have been preparing food for “Blue Bloods” since Season 3. Former owners of the now-closed BeeHive Oven restaurant, they work with Badalucco to ensure meals reflect scripts and scenes.”). Also check out this 2015 article in The Virginian-Pilot that includes an interview Prop Master Jim Lillis and mentions Broadway Stages and the Chadwells. 

Learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides information about industry-focused job posting sites; links to general recruiting sites; education and training programs; and state, city, and borough industry information.