What’s a Stage Builders favourite snack?

When did you first get contacted about doing this project and how long did it take from start to finish?

The production manager first got in contact toward the end of June. The prep and build was about 2.5 weeks in total. From, ordering materials to loading the vans to deliver to Theatre by the Lake.

How many people did it take?

Not working for the whole duration as people did different things at different stages. But over the build we had in total: 3 Carpenters, 1 Carpenters assistant, 2 scenic artists.

What’s your favourite part when you get a project like this?

Each project is unique with its own set of challenges. This project was attractive as the set design was quirky and playful with some nice individual builds to tackle within the brief. I/we do love doing theatre set builds as it makes a welcome change to the more commonplace makes we do for TV and film.

This is the 5th theatre set we’ve built for a show written/co-written & directed by John Nicholson.

Will you come to see the show and the finished result? (If you can, not a trick question)

Yes hopefully on press night, just trying to shuffle things so I’m free to come up.

How did you start your business/doing what you do and how long have you been operating?

I formed my company J’Ocular Design Ltd originally with a friend from university after we both finished our MA in sculpture. I was in London after education and randomly got asked to be involved in the feature film Sexy Beast, building & detailing some of the sets. It went from there. Our involvement in film, TV, advertising and theatre steadily grew. We also used to build bespoke high-end furniture as a secondary spoke to the company, but we soon got fed up dealing with our client’s London tradesmen. Also that side of things wasn’t as creatively rewarding and projects could be long haul for little reward both financially and creatively.

Our involvement in set work and design soon led to us being involved with both large and small-scale theatre projects. After years of learning our craft,  gaining experience assisting others (Production Designers, Artists, and Prop Markers, Theatre Designers) I/we gradually started to undertake our own projects. Over the years I my experience grew and the roles I’d take on for projects developed and broadened. Some of which are working myself as a Production Designer, Art Director, Construction Manager, Set Dresser, Scenic Painter and occasionally as a Theatre Designer. Those early years of gaining a broad range of experience has served me well, when being asked about projects by designers, directors and producers alike. I’ve spent many years developing relationships of trust with clients and a can-do attitude from those involved in the projects has fuelled future work. Often repeat business and recommendation has meant that for over 20 years I’ve thankfully been kept busy within the creative industries.

From 1999 to 2015 I worked with my friend as J’Ocular Design until, due to personal circumstances I moved back to live in Devon full-time. In 2017 I started Backdrop Design and now employ a wide range of freelancers from all walks of life. My old business partner and I still work with and for one another and I was really happy to have him down to the workshop where he built a large chunk of this set.

Since getting made redundant after covid, my brother Phil now works with me on pretty much everything undertaken. Over the years, since the early 2000’s he’d been involved in many of the previous projects and it made sense for him to be more involved in the company. It’s great to be working with him.

The projects that are undertaken are still as broad as they ever were. A lot of it is within the world of natural history productions where I have found a niche in designing and making large scale and macro sets.

What sort of projects do you do, apart from ones like this? 

Natural History Sets, builds for online content, Commercials, Events, TV & film productions, Bespoke props & Specialist builds from VFX Shoots.

What’s your favourite project snack to get you through long days?

Chocolate Hobnobs with cream cheese on top. It’s a dirty cheesecake… I urge you to try it!!

What’s your favourite project EVER and why? (again not a trick question, it doesn’t have to be this project) 

There are so many projects that I’ve loved doing in all the areas I work. In most, it’s the people who assemble to make something creative for entertainment. There are so many that have been rewarding in so many differing ways. But to hone it to theatre jobs, I’d say Punch Drunk ‘The Drowned Man’ was a good one. We were the construction company for that project which was built inside a disused post office sorting building in Paddington. The concepts/designs from the Designer were provided and we worked with the creative teams to make those sketches come to life. Over 4 floors we built some quirky/crazy things from sand dunes, forests, saloon bars, hidden rooms, a church and snow drifts.