It’s Time to Talk Production Design for Your Zoom Calls
By: Lizzie Finn
Tags: Remote Working, Arts And Culture, Zoom, Life Lessons, Covid 19

I’ve decided to start a new career as a Production Designer for Zoom calls.

Seriously, people, give me a call. I can share tips I’ve learned from over 20 years in low-budget (no-budget) independent filmmaking.

On these no-budget films, I directed, produced, and edited — and I also did everything else — including production design. This entailed using my own living space for several dozen different sets and spending an excessive amount of time (and my own money) running to flea markets and thrift shops in search of cheap set pieces and props.

Over the years, I’ve learned to be very creative (i.e., perform miracles) when it comes to transforming bland, small spaces into beautiful (or at least interesting) sets. I’ve turned my kitchen into a cafe and my friend’s basement into a full-scale bar. I’ve turned a living room into a lawyer’s office, and a tiny space next to a furnace into a bedroom.

In independent filmmaking, all you need is one good wall to do your magic. The rest of the space is generally filled with your crew and their camera/sound/lighting gear anyway.

Trust me, turning a tiny corner of your home into your Zoom office is a piece of cake.

Location, location, location

Despite having two separate office areas in my home, my bedroom has become my designated office and Zoom conferencing area.

This is mainly because the actual office space in my home doesn’t have doors. I like to control my Zoom set, and I don’t want other people or my two dogs busting in during the middle of calls, classes, or conferences.

My quarantine roomies (my mom and my son) happen to be occupying my actual office areas at the moment. When I moved into my townhouse in December, I was primarily living alone, and I thought having an open loft for my office would be cool.

It was cool for about two months until I started teaching virtual classes and needed quiet private space, and doors that locked.

Set design

A common mistake in most Zoom calls? Too many people set themselves up in high-traffic areas where other callers are distracted by the messy, busy, open space behind them.

Often, I see family members moving in and out of the background, like extras in a low-budget horror film. Sometimes, I want to scream at my fellow Zoomies and warn them that a man is lurking behind them. Do you want me to call 911?

It’s too easy to become distracted by other people’s stuff, especially when you are looking at a dozen people and their homes at the same time. That’s a lot of eye-clutter for easily-distracted minds.

There are simple ways to clear the clutter and give off a more professional — and calm — vibe.

My Zoom space. Photo by Lizzie Finn/Art by Daev Finn

This photo shows my current Zoom setup.

I’ve carefully selected the items behind me for their simplicity. Instead of just a bland grey wall, these items add a pop of color and texture without overpowering the frame. It helps to have a brother who is an artist who created large art pieces I can move around my home and and use as colorful backdrops.

I’ve wedged myself into a corner, so none of my ‘extras’ can wander in behind my back. In this way, I maintain total control of my set.

Now, I know it doesn’t look like much — my little Zoom set. And maybe you’re not that impressed.

Well, let me tell you what you do not see in the above photo.

Or rather, let me zoom out and show you.

Work in progress. Photo by Lizzie Finn

This photo shows what my bedroom looks like at the moment.

I took these two photos two seconds apart.

My bedroom is a disaster zone because I am spending 95% of my time living and working in this one space.

And also, for some reason I decided NOW would be a good time to paint this room.

After weeks of looking at these four walls, I could no longer stand their bright gold shade and knew I wanted to paint it a soothing grey. The only problem? I’m on my third attempt at getting the right color.

The first shade of grey was too light (i.e., almost white).

The second shade of grey was too blue.

And the third shade of grey? I think it’s just right.

I won’t know for sure until I paint more than just the wall of my Zoom set.

At the moment, I’m so busy taking classes, teaching classes, writing, developing workshops, and attending virtual seminars and social events, that I only have energy at night to paint one wall at a time.

Before this pandemic, I couldn’t work or create if there was chaos or clutter. Even when I worked from home when my kids were toddlers, I still needed a clean and tidy house to get things done. Those days are over.

We’re in the apocalypse now — and I can work anywhere, anytime, anyhow, and anywho.

In this quarantine, I’ve learned to let go of stringent rules or rituals. Instead of demanding perfection, I’m able to make do with what I have — and make it work.

I’ve also learned to make it fun.

Pets like to make guest appearances on Zoom. Lock your set down!

So, please don’t get your panties in a twist about any of this advice. I know we are all going through tough times and have much bigger concerns at the moment. I don’t want anybody to get stressed out about my Zoom production design guidance.

Always, do what works best for you, and take time to practice self-care first.

Writing, creating, painting, designing — these are ways I relax, renew, and reinvigorate myself.

However, if, for some reason, you want to embrace the chaos and also present a calm and professional image to the world — give me a call.

I’m here to meet all your Zoom production design needs.