When it comes to a film and television art department kit, everyone’s kit will look different.
Are you new to the business and confused as to what you need? Even if you’re not new, many of us are always looking to upgrade our kits to do our jobs more efficiently.
While every art department kit is indeed different- there are many basic staples that are needed in order to do your job effectively that you should acquire before you step into your first position in the art department, set dec, props, construction, scenic, special effects, or costume department.
Below are some art department kit suggestions. An astrix (*) below connotes: 1) Items not always required. 2) Items that production will often buy but they’re really good to have on hand from the get go so you don’t always have to run out to get a supply you may only need once or twice per show. 3) Items that make your job easier but production would find fiscally irresponsible if you were to expense them.
What should I have in my art department kit?
Art Department Kit Requirements
Laptop or Desktop Computer
Large monitor
Software required of your individual position (ex: Adobe Creative Cloud, AutoCAD, SketchUp)
Commercial Printer/Scanner (capable of 11×17 printing)
Notebook or Note-Taking Device
Grid-lined Notebook
Smart Phone
Phone Charger
USB Stick
Rain Gear
Hard Hat
Camera
Pencils
Pens
Bic 4-Colour Ball Pen
Highlighters
Headphones
25′ Steel Measuring Tape
Laser Measure
100′-200′ Fiberglass Measuring Tape
Small Rolling Measuring Wheel
Hard Rolling Measuring Wheel
Sewing Tape Measure
Architectural Scale Ruler
Small Self-Healing Cutting Mat
Large Self-Healing Cutting Mat
Mat or Utility Knife
Spare Mat Knife Blades
Metal Ruler with Cork or Rubber Backing
Reference Books (ex: Architectural Graphic Standards)
Drivers License
*Dropbox Account
*Circle Cutter
*Spray Glue
*Rubber Cement
*Hand Draughting Various Tools (job dependent)
*Construction Calculator (job dependent)
*Colour Wheel
*Paint Fandeck/Kit
*Pantone Fandeck/Kit
*iPad or Drawing Tablet (ex: Wacom Tablet)
*Comfortable Ergonomic Office Chair
Set Dec Kit Requirements
Pencil
Notebook
Vice Grips
Markers, incl Sharpies
Magnet
12” Ruler
Combo square
Small Level
Paint Scraper
Scissors
Hammer -16 oz.
Work Gloves
CSA Rubber Boots
Tool Box or Belt
Mat or Utility knife
Pliers (needlenose)
Pliers (snubnose)
Hard Hat / Back Strap
Pocket Calculator
Cordless Drill / Driver Bits
Sidecutters (cutting pliers)
Industrial Stapler
16ʼ Measuring Tape Imp./ Metric
Scale Rule (Architectʼs Imp)
Retractable Razor Scraper
Multi-Driver or Asstd Screw Drivers
Small Prybar (Wonderbar or Captspaw)
Flashlight
Steel Toed Boots
2 Crescent Wrenches
Rain Gear
Props Kit Requirements
Pencil
Notebook
Vice Grips
Markers, incl Sharpies
Magnet
12” Ruler
Combo square
Small Level
Paint Scraper
Scissors
Hammer -16 oz.
Work Gloves
CSA Rubber Boots
Tool Box or Belt
Mat or Utility knife
Pliers (needlenose)
Pliers (snubnose)
Hard Hat / Back Strap
Pocket Calculator
Cordless Drill / Driver Bits
Sidecutters (cutting pliers)
Industrial Stapler
16ʼ Measuring Tape Imp./ Metric
Scale Rule (Architectʼs Imp)
Retractable Razor Scraper
Multi-Driver or Asstd Screw Drivers
Small Prybar (Wonderbar or Captspaw)
Flashlight
Steel Toed Boots
2 Crescent Wrenches
Rain Gear
Construction Kit Requirements
Toolbox or Bag
Hard Hat
Nail Set
Pliers
Utility Knife
Framing Square
Compass
50ʼ Dry Line
Level
Hack Saw
1/2” Chisel Set
Battery Powered Drill
Rough Hand Saw 8-10 Points
Tool Pouch or Apron
Claw Hammer
Hand Stapler
Adjustable Wrench
Tape Measure
Combination Square
Trammel Points
Plumb Bob
Smooth or Jack Plane
Block Plane
Drill Bit Set – 1/16 – 1/2ʼ
Fine Hand Saw 14 – 16 points
Safety Glasses
Pry Bar or Catʼs Paw
Green Patch Safety Boots
Nippers or side cutters
Screw Drivers (various size)
Sliding “T” Bevel
Chalk Line
Protractor
Pencils
Coping Saw
Hole Saw Set 1” 2 1/8”
Scenic Paint Kit Requirements
Safety Respirator
Dust Mask
Safety Glasses
Scrapers
Olfa Knife
Rollers
Trowl
2” – 6” Plaster Knives
A couple of each: Brushes 4”, 3”, 2”, 1”
Special Effects Kit Requirements
Multi-tool (e.g. Gerber or Leatherman)
Tool Belt
Side Cutters
2 adjustable wrenches – 1 1/4” or wider jaw
Tongue and groove pliers (e.g. Channellocks)
Utility knife (e.g. Olfa)
Multi-bit screwdriver (e.g. Picquic Super 8)
Flashlight
Black felt marker (e.g. Sharpie)
Light gloves (e.g. Mechanix)
Heavy duty leather gloves
CSA approved safety footware
Safety glasses
Weather appropriate clothing
Long sleeve / pant leg natural fiber clothing for fire and steam effect calls
Costume Kit Requirements
Lint Brush / Lint Roller / Wisk Brush
Stain Remover (tide stick)
Needles
Scissors
Safety Pins (assorted sizes)
Small Selection of Notions (hook, eyes, buttons, Velcro, elastic)
Double sided toupee tape (Topstick, Superstick, Stick-em)
Thick and Fine Point Sharpie
Small Note Pad
Small Wet / Dry Towel (sham – wow)
Water Spray Bottle
Emery Board or Nail File
Multi-tool with pliers (Swiss Army / Gerber/ Sog ect)
Powders (Shmere, Ben-Nye)
Stage Blood
Small Towel, Rag, Brushes, Sponges
Water Spray Bottle
Seasonal Appropriate Bad Weather Gear (Rain / Winter)
Hat (Sun, Rain, Winter)
Wet Ones
Assorted Thread or Thread Braid
Thimble
Seam Ripper
Cloth tape (black / white)
Tape Measure
Pencil and Pen
Highlighter
Manila Tags
Elastics
Shoe Sponge
Small Hair Dyer
Digital Camera
Colour Sticks (Shmere, Shmutz)
Sand Paper or Sanding Block
Disposable Gloves
Extra Pair of Socks and Shoes
Work Gloves
Folding Set Chair
If you feel there is something we missed in our art department kit list and want us to add something, let us know!
