Lance Totten SDSA

September 28th, 2023

On the set of the Governor’s Winter Wonderland Holiday Ball for Disney’s DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW, shot in Georgia in August 2022 with about 100 degree temps.

In a Few Words...

Which talent would you most like to have?

In regards to our craft, I wish I could sew. Although I was a Set Dresser for many years before becoming a Decorator, sewing is one skill I never developed and I think it would still be a good talent to have, in a pinch. It’s never too late to learn, I suppose!

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Aside from my 25 year marriage and 2 wonderful children, I’d have to say that professionally my greatest achievement is maintaining a 30-year career in the entertainment industry in an area that’s not traditionally known for it, specifically Atlanta, Georgia

Which word or phrase do you use the most?

“Killer.” As in “those freaking sconces are so killer.”

What do you look for on the Craft Services table?

Only 3 things really: coffee, water, and chewing gum. The modern-day spin on Craft Service as an adjunct catering service is totally lost on me. I don’t understand this thing of being served 4 hot meals in a 12-hour period. Of course, I don’t work on set so it doesn’t matter to me personally, and I know many set crewpeople skip catering altogether now and simply get fed by craft service and that works well for them. But I secretly wish Craft Service would go back to rakes and brooms and taking out the trash on set and just keeping a pot of coffee out on a table to “service the crafts”, as in its original studio incarnation.

Please name a benefit of being an SDSA member.

I think for me it’s been getting to know fellow Set Decorators from others parts of the country, and other parts of the world too! Hearing about their specific struggles as well as our common gripes and concerns has been illuminating. I’m always keen to learn how other folks tailor the work of set decoration to the specific strengths and challenges of their respective environments. If anything, I’d like to have more open sharing about rates and crew disparity between our various regions, and see what all we can learn to aid us in our individual negotiations going forward, since we are mostly on our own in that regard.

Partial Credits:

GRAND DEATH LOTTO

DEAR EVAN HANSEN

TEENAGE BOUNTY HUNTERS

LODGE 49

BABY DRIVER

HALT & CATCH FIRE

This Spotlight article is an excerpt from the latest BUZZ, the official SDSA Newsletter!