While every film and television art department kit is different, many basic staples are often needed to do our jobs effectively. Do you need clarification as to what you might need? Even if you’re familiar, many of us always want to upgrade our kits. Before you step into work in the art department, set dec, props, construction, scenic, special effects, or costume department, you should try to acquire some of the items listed below to make your life easier.
Depending on where you are working and if you are a union member, your union will often tell you what you need in your kit as part of your joining requirements. Make sure to meet your specific union kit requirement expectations if this applies to you.
An asterisk (*) below connotes: 1) Items not always required, 2) Items that production will often buy, but they’re excellent to have on hand right away 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.
I’ll repeat it again once more though– everyone’s art department kit will look different. You won’t necessarily need all of this, but the below is a good start on what you might want to have in your kit.
What Should I Have in my Art Department Kit?
Art Department Kit Requirements
Laptop or Desktop Computer
Large monitor
Software required for your individual position
Notebook or Note-Taking Device (Grid-lined and sketch Moleskine notebook are often preferred)
Smart Phone
Phone Charger with back up battery pack
USB Stick
Rain Gear
Hard Hat
Camera (can use your phone but you might want better quality photos)
Pencils, pens, highlighters
Bic 4-Colour Ball Pen
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 (Physical or Digital) (ex: Architectural Graphic Standards)
Drivers License
*Commercial Printer/Scanner (capable of 11×17 printing)
*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
*Standing desk (if that’s your thing)
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!