Lights, camera, action! College of Charleston theatre students got an inside look at set design when they went on location at Lifetime’s hit TV drama Army Wives. Professor Charlie Calvert’s Scene Painting class focuses primarily on scene design for the stage, but many students are interested in TV and film, so Calvert used the experience to introduce them to painting techniques used by TV artists.
“Most theatre programs don’t have a strong connection to TV or film companies, so learning about that form of entertainment often goes overlooked,” Calvert explains. “That is why, to me, this was a golden opportunity for these students. With Army Wives filming so close to the College, I hope give other classes the same experience.”
The show’s set painter, Mollie Howrey, showed students the techniques employed by the scenic artists on a TV set. The techniques are a little different than what is done in in theatre due to the camera’s proximity to the scenery versus the theatre-goers eye. While on set, the students ran into Production Designer Matthew Jacob, who had a brief, but welcoming conversation with the students about working in television. Jacobs has worked on Lost, Heroes, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, in addition to Army Wives.
The class also had the opportunity to talk with Brian McNamara who stars as General Michael Holden.
For more information, contact Charlie Calvert at calvertcc@cofc.edu.
