REAL LIFE
Talk-show short film with a built set
Art Director, Head Scenic, 2026
"After disappearing from the tabloids years prior, ex-teenage superhero Veronica Van Horn is invited back into the spotlight by appearing on the proactive celebrity talkshow, Real Life. What begins as an innocent opportunity to speak her mind quickly turns into a destructive game of manipulation."
Directed by Shawn Deninger - Director of Photography Hanna Le - Written by Mercy Kinsey and Olivia L. Stallworth - Production Designer Alyssa Cahan
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There are two sets for Real Life. The first is a talk show set, which was built on a sound stage. The second is a dressing room, which was shot in a makeup studio and altered with soft walls.
View the designer's look book here ->
The first scenic task was to paint the desk for the talk show set. Custom made by the construction team, this bean shaped desk was painted in various shades of pink with a faux wood grain top. The logo on the front was freehanded, based on a logo created by head of graphics. The top, dark pink sides, and logo were coated in polycrylic to add some dimension and shine.
The second scenic task was to paint a swirl and star mural across two of the set walls. After painting the walls light pink, I want back in with a fitch brush and painted abstract swirl shapes, with white stars overtop.
We also painted the platform blue and coated it in polycrylic to give it a reflective shine.
Production Designer: Alyssa Cahan
Art Director: Finley Stone
Set Decorator: Mia Plumeri
Property Master: Stella Erikson
Construction Coordinator: Karim Fatkhutdinov
Lead Scenic: Finley Stone
Graphics: Maya McAllister