Between creating my own art, I work behind the scenes in movies and television. I usually post my film stuff on instagram @jolenedames or facebook Jolenedamesartist. So if you want to hear more about my film & tv work, head over there and follow me. In case you missed it, here’s a recap of what I have posted the past few weeks.
I am currently working on the Amazon series, “A Leauge of Their Own”. My title is camera scenic aka on set scenic. It means anything that requires paint and scenic techniques, I handle. I have to be able to perform all the duties of a key scenic while we are filming on-set. I usually work under the direction of the cinematographer and the production designer. I also help to maintain the integrity of all the set and do a lot of adjusting reflective surfaces to camera.
It’s a fast paced environment. I am usually called upon last minute and have to act quickly and efficiently. I love that. I never know, from shoot day to shoot day, what challenge or problem I may have to solve. I love that too. It keeps it interesting and I love a good challenge. The tools I use can all be found in my paint kit which houses everything from tints to paste waste to crisco oil. Yes, I have had to paint with crisco oil. More on that later.
Anyways, after 20+years in the business I made the news. And my hair looks awful 😂 but it was a hundred degrees. News people are sneaky or maybe I was just too concentrated because I never even saw them. In this photo I am applying a frisket to a parking sign. You can read more about this series on my IMDB.
January of 2021 I got the opportunity to be the Charge Scenic/Key Scenic on a Netflix series, “The Chair”. I took it. I supervised the painting of all the sets and anything seen on camera and for other departments. Aging, distressing and painting items for set dressing, props and special effects. I also had to do all the purchasing and procuring of the necessary materials and equipment. I hired and ran a crew of set painters, most of which I had to train on the fly.
Being in charge of the entire paint crew was no small feat in the making of this series. Not gonna lie, it was a lot of work. And it was winter. In Pittsburgh. It was flippin’ cold. Not as cold as the other movie I worked on, “Pickled” with Seth Rogen, but still cold.
While I didn’t make the paper on this one, I did make some great new friends. I also got to use my entire scenic skill set from making fake stain glass to painting concrete at the Pittsburgh International Airport. My crew battled the elements of the season and the elements of production for the run of the show and now, the trailer is out. A dark comedy starring Sandra Oh with Amanda Peet as the show runner. Check it out!
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