As a creative professional, it is a privilege to get to work on a variety of periods and genres. In 2022 I was fortunate to be asked by Matt Putland (Production Designer) and Allice Lanagan (Sup. Art Director) to work as Art Director on The Artful Dodger, a TV series set in 1850s Sydney. 

The production secured the historical Rozelle Hospital site, formally known as the Callan Park Hospital for the Insane, in Inner West Sydney. The site provided an excellent foundation for us to layer over our plot-specific buildings and set pieces.

Great care was taken to ensure our work left the existing buildings unmarked. While surveying the site, which involved 3D scanning, it became clear how well these structures, built almost 150 years prior, were constructed. For example, our survey showed the base of the enormous original sandstone chimney tower (25m tall x 5m x 5m) was perfectly square and accurate within a few millimeters.

Below is a sample of some of the schematic renders I created, which were used in the development of the sets. These models are all construction-accurate and were used for documentation, fabrication such as 2D + 3D CNC milling, laser cutting and 3D printing. All models were then handed over to VFX for any post production and CG requirements. 

It was an honour to work with the cast and crew on this production, and get to take a deep dive into one of Sydney's iconic historical landmarks.