Production Design for Documentary

BlockReel; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 69,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided outside Bristol

Job summary

BlockReel, an independent Bristol-based documentary team, seeks a highly experienced Senior Production Designer to shape the visual language of our archival-driven feature. You will develop the visual concept with the Director, oversee set dressing, source props, and lead a small art department.

The role demands a strong sense of period detail and a collaborative spirit; prep begins early November 2026 with principal photography planned late November to mid‑December, totaling 18–20 shoot days.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in documentary or period drama.
• Strong portfolio showcasing design aesthetic.
• Ability to create authentic, atmospheric environments for archival elements and vérité style.

Responsibilities

• Develop the visual concept with the Director.
• Oversee set dressing and sourcing props.
• Manage a small art department crew.
• Create authentic look for archival elements and vérité style.
• Prep work before principal photography.

Skills

Period detail

Design portfolio

Documentary/period drama

Collaborative

Job description

Exploring the vibrant, untold history of Bristol's underground music scene through the decades. We're looking for a highly experienced Senior Production Designer to join our independent documentary feature film. This project is intimate, visually driven, and requires a designer with a strong sense of period detail, able to create authentic, atmospheric environments that enhance our vérité style and archival elements. You'll be responsible for developing the visual concept with the Director, overseeing set dressing, sourcing props, and managing a small art department crew. We need someone who can work resourcefully to achieve a high‑quality, authentic look. You should have extensive experience in documentary or period drama, a strong portfolio showcasing your design aesthetic, and ideally be based in or around Bristol. We're a small, passionate team, so adaptability and a collaborative spirit are key. Prep will be approximately three weeks, starting in early November 2026, with principal photography planned for late November to mid‑December 2026, totaling about 18‑20 shoot days. We offer a competitive day rate of $500-800, plus production‑provided accommodation if required outside of Bristol. We're hoping to make a decision by November 2, 2026.

Budget Range

$500-800/day