"You're not boring!"
Crispian Sallis - Set Decorator, Gladiator
About
Pre-Film and TV
I initially studied mechanical engineering degree and industrial design.
Shortly after graduating, I unexpectedly found a job as a Supporting Artist on a BBC documentary about the Tudors.
Before that, I hadn’t had anything to do with the industry whatsoever.
I really enjoyed the experience, and it made me realise that I would like to work in the film and TV industry in some capacity.
However, I knew absolutely nothing about the film and TV industry.
As you would imagine, this is not the sort of thing they teach you about in a mechanical engineering degree.
As a result, I was effectively starting from ground-zero.
Entering the Industry
In the following years, I continued to work as an SA.
I also did a lot of research about the industry, watched what happened when I was on set, asked lots of questions, completed several courses, and spoke to as many people as I could.
It often felt like trying to build a complex LEGO model without any instructions. (Sometimes I felt like I didn’t even know what the model was supposed to look like!)
But it was also exciting to be discovering an industry as interesting, challenging, and varied as this one.
Looking back, I refer to those years as my quarter-life crisis – an experience that I know a lot of people go through.
Ultimately, I realised I would like to design and create props and sets.
One thing led to another, and I ended up doing just that.
Current Work
To date, I have worked in the Art Department on productions such as:
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Bridgerton
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The Winter King
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The Gallows Pole
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The Power
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The Souvenir Pt. 2
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Fast and Furious 9
I have also worked as a Supporting Artist and SPACT on productions such as Vanity Fair, World on Fire, Vikings: Blood and Conquest, Father Brown, and The Personal History of David Copperfield.
Furthermore, I have sourced SPACTs and Supporting Artists for Father Brown, and comedian Sam Campbell’s UK tour.
For more information, please see my CV. This can be accessed using the link in the top menu.
When I'm not working on productions, I regularly participate in historical reenactment events. This includes sword fighting and horse riding.
For more information, please see my portfolio. This can be accessed using the link in the top menu.
