crash set design

Designing a Film - with acknowledgment to Artemis Film Guides

The Production Designer and the Art Director work very closely with the director to create the look and feel of the film.

The Set Decorator (or dresser) is responsible for providing the detail of a set, whether it has been built specifically for the film or rented: the pictures on the wall, the books or ornaments on a shelf, the wallpaper and style of curtains. Clothes and the décor of rooms can be a quick and useful way of giving information about characters, about their style of life and their personalities, just as the objects that you value - your favourite clothes, treasures, photos, souvenirs - tell an outsider something about you. Objects can be as important as people in a film, and can develop an overwhelming sense of presence. The way they are lit and photographed can contribute to this.

Crash had an Art Department of nine. It was filmed entirely on location in L.A., making use of existing places, as cheaply as possible. The police station was set in a Red Cross rooms; the hospital entrance was a school. The house the Cabots live in is director Paul Haggis's own home. The two bedrooms of Cameron and Christine and Ryan are the same space with a false wall in place.

When designers and set decorators decide what a room will look like, they are actually creating a backstory for the characters that live there.

Jean and Rick Cabot: large house, beautifully kept; wood panelling; art work on walls – everything suggests money; housekeeper to keep it clean. Many framed photographs. Expensive kitchen – with child's paintings cf. Daniel's

Daniel and Elizabeth: small, modest home in suburbs; welcoming inside – Christmas tree with home-made decorations; Lara's room has drawings and posters on walls.

Cameron, Christine – bedroom only: beautifully colour-co-ordinated with deep red and cream – superb taste; modern lamp; African art on walls – they have both the money to indulge and clearly the interest

Ryan – bedroom, bathroom: plain, simple, bare – a very masculine environment; no women, not much money, which probably feeds his anger

Graham – his bedroom: mostly white; wooden furniture, armchair; books on shelf; fairly plain décor, no frills; no real sense of his personality from it – he just sleeps there

Mrs Waters' place – where Graham grew up: piano, family photos suggest better times in the past; state of her fridge + drug gear suggests she does not take care of herself.
the exterior of Anthony's place: poorer part of the city – rickety wooden gate etc. He isn't getting rich stealing cars. Lots of trees and other greenery. Old furniture and other rubbish on the street. Contrast with the steel and glass of the centre of the city (referred to by Graham in his opening speech).

It is clear to see how the set design defines and reinforces the characters. Notice particularly the warmth and humility of Daniel's place in contrast to the cold expensive luxury of Jean's. Daniel is one of the good guys in the film. He has not become cynical but gives his daughter a protective covering of love and faith. The set design reinforces this ordinary goodness.