“After studying a wide variety subjects at school I narrowed them to Physics, Classics and Sculpture at college, then Architecture to degree level,” states Andy Nicholson. “After graduating I took a job at an Architectural practice in Toronto as I wanted to work in a completely different Architectural environment.” An alternative career path was taken by Nicholson. “Architecture wasn’t for me as a profession so I returned to the UK and volunteered on student films at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield. I ended up practically sleeping on the floor there for six months whilst working on a variety of projects. Work on Commercials and Promos came to me through contacts I had made at the school; my career has developed through word of mouth and reputation from there.”
Nicholson started his 18 year career as a Draughtsman and moved up the ranks of the Art Department to become a Production Designer. “It means that I probably give my Art Directors a hard time! It’s important to know what different jobs are in the industry and especially within the Art Department. There are plenty of people who have come to Production Designer via different routes and not by working their way up through the Art Department but it can be a helpful grounding. Ultimately, it is a different job from others in the Art Department. As the Production Designer you have a one on one relationship with the Director and other key HOD [Heads of Departments]. You are responsible for designing and directing your departments output rather than just being part of it. You participate at a different level in meetings with Producers and Studio executives so you need to develop a skill set that includes an understanding of how things are budgeted and built in parallel with the ability to take an active part in any creative discussions. I also think it’s helpful to know how the Shooting Unit works and one of the most informative things you can do in the Art Department is spend time with a shooting unit. If only to understand how much you don’t see of those details you cared about while you were working them up on a drawing board!”
“I have just finished working on Divergent [2014] for Director Neil Burger [The Illusionist],” states Andy Nicholson. “The story is set in a specific future Chicago and it was a lot of fun Designing for that world. There will be many large scale city views and all will have to be CG augmentations of the existing skyline.” Creating a sense of believability and realism was essential. “Neil and I developed ideas and concepts for much of the infrastructure in the world, how it would work, and a hit list of 30 to 40 key elements it should contain. We also had to keep within the realms of the book that the film is based on and took scientific advice to ensure our vision was plausible.” Nicholson observes, “Although it isn’t always possible I think it’s good to try and take a small break between projects. It’s important to take a little time and reflect on the things you learned and dealt with in order to be more effective the next time around. It gives you more perspective. It can be immersive and all-consuming when you’re in it.”