Q & A with Sonja Klaus, Set Decorator

Sonja Klaus is the Production Designer of Mr Selfridge, series 2. thecallsheet interviewed Sonja while she was Set Decorator on Prometheus.

In the last 15 years, she has worked on films including Gladiator, Robin Hood and American Gangster. She is a long term collaborator with Ridley Scott.

Sonja is a member of thecallsheet.co.uk and we asked her a few questions about her incredible career.

What can you tell us about the story of Prometheus ?

Prometheus starts in 2089 when a couple of archaeologists make some discoveries about an ancient species on earth. Their findings lead the Weyland Corporation to launch a manned space mission to discover more about these mysterious creatures. It’s set a long time before the original Alien and Ridley Scott has assembled an incredible cast.

You have worked on many period films in your career, is this the first set in the future?

I have worked on Sci -fi before when I Designed 'Babylon AD " .. That was set in the not to distant future and did require a lot of Design work . 

It is always a challenge working on something that follows so much History and reference because we have of course 'seen it , done it and know it ! '

Rather like reinventing the wheel with everything! 

What was the most challenging element working on Prometheus and what aspects have given you the most satisfaction ?

Computers ! 

Technology is always changing and who is to say what we will be doing in 75 years time ! To come up with a new idea was pretty difficult so it was actually left to the graphics shown on the screens to make those changes . I had a team of brilliant people working with me and they were constantly coming up with new ways of showing everyday information .. for example when we see medical information  or a message or even nutrition choices.. 

All of these have been seen so many times before but how do we make them 'ours" ... So I thought of starting with colour.. I did research into the diatoms and deep sea creatures that live in the depths of the oceans . They are the most incredible creatures  and have superb colour formations. So we took this as a colour palette for the Bridge set for example .. then the Rovers needed the same treatment .. so we looked at the sun and photos taken by the Hubble telescope ..  It was then looking at all this information that the actual imagery started to take shape.. The graphics on the film are amazing and very much part of the Design of the whole film. 

Can you describe what got you interested in Film and TV and how you got into the Industry ?

I have a degree in Theatre Design from Wimbledon School of Art which led me into the Theatre world.. where I was fortunate to work on several West End shows and then one day the phone rang and I was asked to work on a children TV programme starring Frankie Howerd.. as an Art Director .. I had no idea what that meant but soon found out ! Previously I thought I would stay in the Theatre world but then as the projects kept coming and I discovered more about the Industry I was hooked ! 

And as they say ...'The rest is History ! '

You got the call to work on Gladiator in 1999. What had you been working on prior to that and what was your experience working on that film?

I was fortunate enough to work on several projects with Roger Hall , who is so talented and was a constant source of inspiration and knowledge ..

Since Gladiator, you have worked on most of Ridley Scott's movies. What is he like to work with and how has that relationship developed over the various projects?

I have not worked on all of Ridley's films since Gladiator. Due to various commitments it was not possible but I have worked with him on seven films and am currently prepping the next . We have  very similar tastes and are just able to understand each other .. it is frustrating for some people because we can start a sentence with one topic and by the time we are at the end we are discussing something else !  Ridley is a great visionary and his portfolio of movies shows that on every level.. I am very grateful and honoured that he continues to use me .. 

With Robin Hood and Kingdom of Heaven, you need to create period decor in large scales. What were the biggest challenges on those particular films?

When working on such large scale productions it is really important to keep the whole film in your head ..rather like a large painting .. not everyone can do that and it is not something you can teach that easily.. good budgeting is really important and having someone in the office who  is on top of the budget at all times.. People management skills are a must as well ..you do become rather like the fat controller and spend a lot of time managing and not Set Decorating ..the artistic part is very small in comparison to the politics and paperwork ! On a film like Kingdom of Heaven we filmed in two countries and I had a staff of 215 .. so you can imaging how many mistakes could be made and as a head of department it is your responsibility to take the flack and to sort them out .. 

Research at the beginning is a big thing and very important .. sifting through it is a task in itself .. but I find that part interesting and even if some of it is not right it may be for the next film so it is good to try and remember it .. nothing is ever wrong .. you just need to learn how to make it work for you .

You also worked on American Gangster, how did you set about researching the locations and recreating the period?

I was at home with my bags packed ready to travel to New York to Set Decorate American Gangster and the phone rang . Ridley called me to say that the Union in NY has refused to let me come onto the film.. he was gutted and I was very disappointed . Without going into too much detail the Unions are so strong not even Ridley scott could help..

Amercian GangsterSo to cut a long story short I carried on in London and did some work here and there .. the phone rang again four weeks later .. it was Ridley .. Pack your bags and meet me in Bangkok ... I duly did and ended up working in Chang Mai for 13 weeks .. I had the best time and took two really great friends with me .. we has a local art department and crew.. 

It really was one of the best times I have had on a film .. including a recce in the jungle on elephants ! So sometimes disappointment is not always that bad ...

Regarding research ... some of the crew with me came from Burma and they had worked for the drug Lords in the poppy fields .. so we recreated the scenes you see in the movie with their help.. The general's house was built by the locals ..often the best way to proceed ... There was little time to get period research but I did find some very very cool books .. The main street in Chang Mai had to be completely re dressed to look like Bangkok .. so I put in 140 signs (huge neons and light boxes) and added all the street lights and building lights . 120 market stall holders turned up on the day to recreate the dense markets you get in bangkok .. bit nerve racking cause they may or may not come ! 

best stall was the deep fried insect lady who kept calling me Sharon Stone !

Can you give any advice for any art department assistants looking to become Set Decorators?

Learn to draw !

You must be constantly researching and looking for inspiration ,where are your favourite places and resources to do that ?

I have a very big library and am a big fan of the printed word.. i do like to keep up with the exhibitions in London and other towns in the UK .. 

The internet is obviously useful but often information can be misleading ..so there is nothing like the real thing in the end ! 

What has been your favourite moment or achievement in your career?

Being able to borrow a helicopter and collect my son from school !

If you could change one thing about the British Film Industry , what would you do ?

Bring back training schemes in the Art Department ... strengthen the Guild and help the Art Department have more of a voice in the film Industry.. that gets heard and acted on ..

What do you do when you are not working ?

Try to relax , enjoy my family , play with my cats ,dog and rabbits ! Tidy my garden ..

Travel to somewhere I have never been .. 

If you could work with any film maker , from any period , who would you choose?

.....need you ask !

You can see Sonja's profile page on thecallsheet.co.uk right here

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