Title
I, Kenneth A. Larson, began working in the Entertainment Industry in 1978 as a Visual Effects Model Maker. I moved through the system, working on live action scenery and Special Effects, until 1996 when I began working as an I.A.T.S.E. Local 847 Set Designer on Batman and Robin, Set Designing the miniatures and CGI scenery. I have worked exclusively as a Set Designer since 1996, now in Local 800 and I am a rostered computer specialist.

Availability


Kenneth A. Larson just finished the popular TV show, American Horror Story. This job was demanding because of very short prep time. Ken is now available for work as a Set Designer.

Ken is available.

Job offer contact.
Updated: 12-10-11

Download Resume
Updated 6-6-11
Complete list of Credits
Updated 6-9-11


American Horror Story, 2011.

image once the film is released.
My Mother's Curse, 2011.


Rizzoli and Isles, 2009.


Justified, 2009.


Polar Express, 2002


Shrek, 1996.

I was Computer Modeling,
when Computer Modeling wasn't cool.
Elevation of Step Building
Vac-u-form buck. AutoCAD © R12, 1992.

Diversity


3D and 2D

Pencil drafting and

Computer drafting
Live action
Live action and
Visual Effects / CGI
Visual Effects / CGI
Physical Models
Physical Models and
Virtual Models
Virtual Models
Features
Features and
TV
TV
New Construction
New Construction Drawings and
As-Builts / Location Surveys / Director Drawings
As-Builts / Location Surveys / Director Drawings.

Set Building and

Set Design


Portfolio

After some of my samples were misused by fans, I no longer post my work on the web. If you are an Art Director or Production Designer, please provide your name and I will email the password to you using your email address in your directory listing at the Local 800 web site. This may be a bit awkward, but I think you will appreciate it when the work that I do for you is password protected.
Non-Public Portfolio

User name and password is required.
Public Portfolio

Most images are not included.


IATSE Member I.A.T.S.E.local Local 800 (Art Directors),
Former member:
Local 847 Set Designers and Model Makers (now part of Local 800),
Local 839 Motion Picture Screen Cartoonists (Honorable Withdraw),
Local 44 Affiliated Property Craftspersons, Prop Makers, Carpenters and Special Effects (Honorable Withdraw).

Senior and Computer Specialist rating in Set Designers Local 800.
Member Visual Effects Society. VFX Society
Background
I have over 32 years experience in designing and building scenery for the Entertainment Industry working on Features, Television, Commercials, print ads, Theme Parks, Theme Interior Design, Architecture, Theme Architecture, Trade Show Display, and other related areas of Environmental and Entertainment Design. I am most experienced in motion picture and television, having worked on such films as 3 Batman movies, Hunt for Red October, several Star Trek projects, Shrek, The Polar Express, Ghost Whisperer, and countless others. I work primarily in the Hollywood region. I use both traditional drafting (pencil on board) and computer aided drafting in creating my set designs. I prefer working with the computer and have been since 1990 and AutoCAD R10. I am also an expert model maker having started as a Visual Effects Model Maker and in time, have built most forms of models including theme park and Set Design models.

Versatility
I am versatile and multi-disciplined in the field of scenic design and construction. I am equally talented at using both computer aided and traditional approaches to Set Design. I have many years of experience building models in most forms including models for camera and study models and now do much of my design work using virtual computer models. I work in 2D CADD drafting and 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) modeling and CADM (Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing). I have worked in Visual Effects and live action cinema. While I have not yet worked in theatre scenery, I did spend over a year working for an architect specializing in theatre buildings. I have built scenery, props, mock-ups, and Special Effects before shifting emphasis exclusively to design in the mid-1990s. I have also created graphics for the film industry using traditional and computer skills.

Visual Effects and CGI
I have extensive experience with Visual Effects and CGI, in addition to most aspects of set, prop, and miniature construction. I began as a Visual Effects Model Maker creating physical models of space craft and landscapes for Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. I got my start in the early days of motion control for miniatures and still enjoy model making. In recent years, I have lent my creative talents to Set Designing for all-CGI films such as Shrek and The Polar Express.

Set Design
I have been a Set Designer for numerous Motion Picture and Television productions working on a variety of sets. Some projects include: Set Designs for Visual Effects Miniatures for Batman and Robin, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle for The Pentagon Wars, period CGI sets for Shrek and The Polar Express, Absolut Versace sets for still shots for Vogue magazine. Also sets for X-Files, Collateral Damage, American Pie II, C. S. I, invasion, Ghost Whisperer, Justified, Rizzoli and Isles, Lie to Me, and many more.. While I love Set Design, I have on occasion acted as Art Director on several student films, short films, and small features.

There is sometimes an attitude in the Art Department that either people design sets, or if they lack design talent, they build them. They sometimes assume that I can't design scenery because I once built scenery. The truth is that as a Visual Effects Model Maker, I designed much of what I built. I have an AA degree in Architecture and a BA degree in Interior Design. I am proficient in several CAD and graphic computer programs. I am a better scenery designer for having 18 years experience building scenery and still build most of my own furniture and perform most of my own home improvements.

3D, Computer Models, Computer Rendering, Pre-Vis.
I was doing 3D, Computer Models, Computer Rendering, and Pre-Vis using AutoCAD and 3D Studio when most Set Designers were still drawing 2D with a pencil. I worked for a year for an architect and made many complex computer models but found little demand in the studio Art Deparment. I am now a little rusty but have recently begun to relearn that which I once did well. Some samples.




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