THE BUZZ- NOVEMBER 2025 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
"You can’t have Thanksgiving without turkey. That’s like the Fourth of July without apple pie or Friday with no two pizzas.”
-Friends, 2001.
SDSA Associate Member Roman Mak's Book: DESIGNING CHILDHOOD: VISUAL STORYTELLING FOR THE YOUTUBE GENERATION
SDSA Associate Member Roman Mak, a production designer working in children's digital media, is also a set decorator, artist, and author.
He has published DESIGNING CHILDHOOD: VISUAL STORYTELLING FOR THE YOUTUBE GENERATION, a book that outlines his methodology for creating visual environments for young audiences.
The publication synthesizes several principles, including visual rhythm, measured stimulation, narrative-driven spatial composition, and developmental perception, into a coherent design framework for children's digital storytelling formats. It provides a structured system for shaping how color, scale, pacing, and thematic cues support attention, emotional regulation, and imaginative engagement. In parallel with his work in digital media, Roman adapted and started using these same production design principles in physical children's spaces.
His approach translates screen-based visual logic into real-world environments that encourage curiosity, symbolic play, and creative exploration.
These spatial installations demonstrate how production design can function not only as visual storytelling but also as a developmental tool that supports a child's sense of agency, focus, and imaginative growth.
The Property Masters Guild, Set Decorators Society of America, and IATSE Local 44 Property Masters, Set Decorators, and Property Steering Committees invite you to celebrate the holidays.
The Details:
Dec 07, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Pals Bar & Bottle Shop, 555 N Spring St Ste 106, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Join us in January 2026 for our next GMM at Art Space Warehouse!
Enjoy delicious food, catch up with friends. More details coming soon!
In the News: East Coast
Our East Coast Educational Outreach Committee collaborated with Hudson Lab School in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, to kick off the school's annual Design Challenge Week- a hands-on, project-based event introducing students to the Stanford design thinking method. The outreach brought the world of film and TV set decoration into the classroom. Thank you to the SDSA members who joined students from kindergarten through eighth grade to discuss how set decorators contribute to the visual storytelling of film and television. Make sure to follow the East Coast Chapter on Instagram @sdsaeastcoast!
SDSA Atlanta Holiday Party
SDSA Atlanta Holiday Party Tues, Dec 2, 6-8 PM
Celebrate the Season at SDSA Business Member 14th St Modern and Vintage Home.
There will be festive drinks and nibbles, and the warmth of the season with friends and colleagues. 14th Street Modern & Vintage Home
530 14th Street NW Atlanta, GA 30318
Join us to Celebrate the Season!!
Located in Midtown, west of I-85/75. Look for the white building with big black awnings with chairs.
Plenty of free parking in our 14th Street and McMillan Street lots.
Contact us with questions: 404-325-4600 or lisa@14thstreetantiques.com
Submissions are now open for The SDSA Awards for Film 2025 until December 12th!!
The SDSA Awards are now accepting submissions for the 2025 Film Season, celebrating the exceptional accomplishments and outstanding achievements of Set Decorators and their teams. Submit your work today!
For more details, please visit our website or click the button below.
SDSA AWARDS FOR FILM 2025 AWARDS CALENDAR
December 12, 2025 Submissions Close
December 13, 2025 Eligibility Films List Released
December 13, 2025 Late Submissions Open
December 13, 2025 Errors & Omissions Period Opens
December 19, 2025 Errors & Omissions Period Closes
December 21, 2025 Late Submissions Close
December 27, 2025 Nomination Voting Opens
January 3, 2026 Nomination Voting Closes
January 5, 2026 Nominations Announced
January 19, 2026 Final Voting Begins
January 26, 2026 Final Voting Closes
February 21, 2026 SDSA Awards for Film 2025 Announced
Don't miss your chance to sponsor The SDSA Awards Film 2025!
Multiple sponsorship levels are available, including Marquee sponsorship. Contact JoAnnVara - SDSA Set Decorator Member & Business Member, Digital Marketing & Advertising for more information.
Coalition of American Production
Lobby in DC on November 5th & 6th
On November 5th, SDSA Business Members Jake Baer from Newel Props and Pam Elyea from History for Hire joined the Coalition of American Production in Washington, D.C. to lobby for federal tax incentives. These incentives aim to bring jobs and opportunities back to the US. Learn more at Coalition for American Production | Federal Film Tax Incentives.
Join Set Decorator Daniel Birt SDSA and Production Designer Dominic Watkins On the rugged isle of Berk, a Viking boy named Hiccup defies centuries of tradition by befriending a dragon he names Toothless.
SDSA MEMBER PODCASTS
The Decorating Pages podcastnew episode alert!
Inside Hollywood & New York Prop Houses w/ Fausto from Hollywood Studio Gallery SDSA & Set Decorator Rich Murray. See all the episodes below.
Tune into Beyond the Palette to hear from Art Dimensions artists and industry pros! Hosted by Whitney Sincoff SDSA, each episode dives into the inspiration, motivation, and creative processes of their guests.
The newest episode out now features world-renowned graffiti artist and muralist, Man One.
Check out the SDSA website for exciting original content & updates!
Stay in the loop with all the latest events by visiting the SDSA calendar regularly!
Please welcome the following Members:
New Set Decorator Members Donald Krafft
Cindy Coburn New Friend Members Amaliya Brenneman New Student Members Fiasal Altrad
Giovanna Bush
Jonas Janez
To see all of our Set Decorator, Associate, Student, and Business members,
Check out theMembership Directoryon the SDSA website
Do you know someone interested in joining?
Membership information can be found here on the SDSA website
In Theaters, Streaming & on Television Now
Films SCARY MOVIE 6 Lance Totten SDSA TRAIN DREAMS
Melisa Jusufi SDSA HOUSE OF DYNAMITE
David Schlesinger SDSA DIE MY LOVE
Amber Humphries SDSA IS THIS THING ON?
Becca Meis SDSA THE CONJURING: LAST RIGHTS
Cathy Featherstone SDSA ELLA McCAY
Brandi Kalish SDSA
Television CHAD POWERS - Season 1
Lance Totten SDSA DTF- St. Louis
Lance Totten SDSA THE LAST FRONTIER
Paul Hotte SDSA THE BEAST IN ME
Michael Nallan SDSA PLURIBUS
Ashley Michelle Marsh SDSA ST. DENIS MEDICAL
Jessie Chaaffin SDSA STUMBLE
Jonna Capehart SDSA
The SDSA unites the entertainment industry's decor/design community.
SDSA members include professional unions, associations, guilds, and academies worldwide.
Editorial sections like Film Decor,Television Decor,Director's Chair, and Awards keep readers informed and inspired, featuring top honors like Oscars®, Emmys®, BAFTAs®, BFDG Awards, and SDSA Awards. SetDecorators.org is the sole website for Set Decoration in film and TV, offering news, events, and listings.
Our redesigned website now delivers over 100,000 impressions (views) per month and reaches 16,000 on social media, influencing consumer choices.
Customize a marketing campaign with us for maximum exposure. Contact us today!
When you make a purchase via the direct links to our curated vendors, you are also supporting the SDSA, a 501 C (6) Not for Profit Corporation. The SDSA is funded solely through membership dues, corporate sponsors, generous contributions from our Business Members, advertising on our website, social media, event sponsors, eblasts and grants for small business/education development. Shop Here
The SDSA will earn a referral commission when you make a purchase. If you have questions or would like to become an affiliate in our SHOP, please email us at sdsaresources@setdecorators.org
The SDSA International Set Decorator Resources section is a searchable database of all SDSA International Business Members, vendors who work with our trade. The SDSA can be found on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube,
Vimeo and Instagram!
Be sure to “Like”, “Follow”, “Pin”, and "Watch" us! #OfficialSDSA
The Buzz Team: Jake Baer - Contributing Writer, Business Member, Board Member, Newel Prop Rentals JoAnn Vara - Head writer, Art Director, Set Decorator Member
SDSA Business Member Digital Marketing & Advertising Gene Cane - Contributing Writer, Art Director, SDSAExecutive Director Karen Burg - Editor
