When it comes to independent schooling there can sometimes be an outdated expectation that pupils automatically go on to become Lawyers, Doctors, Accountants and so on. Here at The Glasgow Academy however, we embrace the diversity of our pupils’ career choices and it is with great pride that we have watched many flourish in areas of entrepreneurship, sport, apprenticeships and the arts. Recently we caught up with Rachel Buist (Class of 2015), a former pupil now making her way as a Junior Draughtsperson on some of Hollywood’s finest film sets.
Rachel, tell us what you remember of your first days at The Glasgow Academy? Probably the choc ices we would be given at lunch, I’m strangely nostalgic about that. I recently bought some to see if they still tasted the same!
Was there any one teacher who had a particularly positive impact on your time at the school? I certainly had teachers through prep school who must have been pretty patient with me, and in Senior School. Bless Mrs McClelland, Mrs David and Mrs Gilmour for putting up with me in prep – I had no idea what was going on. I know now I have dyscalculia after testing at uni. I think that massively impacted my learning through school when number related concepts came up daily. I work with numbers every day and still find it challenging, but at least I now know why. I was a fan of the English Department, particularly my tutor Mrs Adams, and Mrs Young who really encouraged my creative writing. Also, Mr McCaskie knowing my love of reading, brought me some signed books from one of my favourite authors. I also spent a fair amount of time in the library, I’m glad Mrs Keith was so friendly. I still really appreciate how kind they all were to me.
Tell us what exactly is your job role and what are you working on at the moment? I’m currently a Junior Draughtsperson in the Art Department. I am often responsible for drawing smaller construction details for a film set which I am given to do by an Art Director who is usually in charge of managing and draughting the look of a set. Art Directors work to the specification of our department head, the Production Designer. They use their breadth of design knowledge and research to design film sets. I use the plans of the set, given to me by the Art Director. I’m constantly learning how to draw different doors, windows, columns, archways and spandrel details, corbels, stage plans (how the set would fit in the space it needs to be built and filmed in) and occasionally furniture. Sometimes I am given the opportunity to construct models of the set from white material like card and foam board, which is the industry standard, but it generally depends what job I am on. The Production Designer, Director of Photography and Director use these models to visualise the set in its entirety.
I am currently part of a smaller team so am getting to draw things that wouldn’t usually be given to me. It is a little daunting but very rewarding. I have spent a lot of time in the workshop with the Construction Department and the Art Directors in my department, utilising the opportunity to broaden my skillset to fit the specifications of the Production Designer and at times the Set Decorator, who is responsible for the decoration of the sets. Recently the Harry Potter Tour at Leavesden Studios added the Greenhouse and updated Privet Drive, which both sit on the backlot, outside the tour. I was part of the Art Department that worked on this expansion. I helped draw the plans for both, if anyone has been to visit recently! I’m currently working on another wizarding project but I can’t say much about it unfortunately!
What made you choose this career? Was there any one person or project that really inspired you?A series of opportunities and decisions led me to a career in film. Honestly, I wanted to be a Show Jumper for the longest time (and still do) then a hockey player, and even a blacksmith at one point. I knew I wanted to leave school a bit earlier than everyone else, in my fifth year, and I ultimately wanted to make sure I made a good choice moving forward. There was never any subject that I wholly liked, only elements from topics that interested me: technical drawing, learning AutoCAD and SketchUp, building and making a tree house in Higher Art and a horse head in Standard Grade Art. Trying to concentrate my interests into a singular field was tricky. If I decided to go into higher education or do an apprenticeship, I knew it had to be something I was interested in. Higher education is definitely a commitment and it really helps to have deep interest in the subject you pick and support from those around you. My family were very supportive and I know I’m very lucky to have had the freedom of choice.
The summer I left school, I had the opportunity to visit the Harry Potter Tour at Leavesden Studios in London and that was what cemented the idea of working in film. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! It seemed like getting a job in the Art Department (the team behind how film sets look) would give me the chance to really put my skills and interests to work. My Mum was very involved in helping me choose a course and college that suited me. We found the ‘Model Making for the Creative Industries’ course at the City of Glasgow College. At the time it was, and may still be, the only course of its kind in Scotland. This course promised the opportunity to do technical drawings – the drawn plans of every set/prop that is made for film – and make models and props. I had taken an interest in film but had no idea how I would even get into it. It’s a difficult industry to get into, so college was the only option for me. From there I was able to apply for university, so it was a surprise to be accepted into the University of the Arts London.
Getting a career in film, for me, was due to good timing, luck, hard work and a lot of patience and kindness from those in my department. The route to get here has not been straightforward, there’s been a lot of trial and error and much hoping for the best.
What do you miss most about The Academy? 100% the blossom trees at the foot of the steps at the main building. I adore those trees and always wished we took photos during the spring. I have a soft spot for the old buildings, they’re really quite lovely from the outside. I’m not academically or musically gifted, nor in traditional art, for that reason school wasn’t always my favourite place. I wouldn’t change it though. I also give a lot of credit to the school for making me strong-willed, independent of thought and resilient; all qualities I believe are important to have as a person, and in my career.
Tell us a little bit about your career journey so far – how did you get to this point? While at university, I was focused on getting my foot in the door. We were encouraged to do at least two weeks of work experience but leaving University with only two weeks work experience on a film didn’t seem substantial enough. We were given a short contact, which was great, but I wanted to do more after my work experience wrapped up. Our course leader told us of a project starting and said she’d be choosing who would get the opportunity to join it. I didn’t really expect to be picked and didn’t want to leave it up to chance, so I did some research on who was working on it myself.
There was very little info about ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ (2018) at the time, which is not unusual when a project is still in its early stages. I happened to email someone who was really helpful in putting me in contact with someone else and my email was passed along until we were able to organise some work experience for me. I think this a prime example of the fortunate timing and the amount of kindness I have experienced. And, in the end, I wasn’t included in my course leader’s list of recommendations but luckily my own research created the opportunity for me. So tenacity is vital.
We did one particular project on our course which led me to contacting the Production Designer of the limited series that I had based my project on. I had been emailing her about her work and had built up a rapport with her and asked if there may be an opportunity for work experience on any upcoming projects. At the time there wasn’t but she suggested I contact her later in the year, which I did to follow up on our last conversation. Two weeks later I was on her new film and based in Central London. I was only supposed to be there for a couple of weeks but I am pleased to say I stayed much longer. This did, unfortunately, run into my final year and missing university was not ideal – but industry experience felt so much more important at this point. Once I got my timetable, I made sure I was in the studio when the tutors would be so they could see me, but I would do most of my class projects in my free time after work. The course was largely self-led and thankfully this way of working complimented my industry work.
The Art Department were happy for me to continue working with them and miss a day here or there for University work when required. I was on the project for about four months, doing my University work in the evenings after spending a day on the film and also working full weekends. It was unpaid work experience so I had to be very frugal. Only working weekends paired with my maintenance loan was very tight. However, freelance work is uncertain and this was an opportunity I felt would not come around again. I know it is not always possible for everyone to do this and I didn’t make the decision lightly. When I eventually saw the film – ‘A Private War’ (2018) – I was unexpectedly credited as an Art Department Trainee, which felt really nice.
From that final round of work experience, I got my first real job in the film industry. I was recommended by someone I had worked with on ‘A Private War’ (2018) to another looking for an Art Department Assistant (the entry level position of the Art Department). Since then, I’ve been very fortunate to roll onto other projects. This year I was nominated for the Spotlighting New Talent Award at the British Designers Guild Awards for which I’m very grateful.
How did it feel landing your first position on a movie set? I was thrilled! It felt like a lot of hard work had come into fruition, I just hope it continues.
You also worked on Wonder Woman 1984, tell us about your experience…
It was an intense few weeks because it was additional photography. There was a lot to fit in in a short amount of time which is not unusual, so the days were long. We were a small team so I was kept busy and had a lot of opportunities to be on set and see Wonder Woman. The summer was particularly hot and we worked outside a lot on the backlot, factor 30 wasn’t enough! I issued technical drawings, dirty rubbish down, do a little bit of set dressing and marking out where the set will be built. I really enjoyed this job as short as it was, it was very knackering!
Is it daunting working with so many established industry names? Big names in my department and within the crew are daunting for sure, in terms of Actors I’m not around them too often, but I have encountered a fair few. Having seen previous work of my bosses and others in the Art Department, it still makes me nervous, especially now in my current role. I’m still relatively new in this position, so showing the drawings I’ve done to someone who has more experience than me (sometimes longer than my life so far) can be very daunting. Meeting Stuart Craig for the first time was exciting. The work he has done as a Production Designer is second to none. Meeting someone who’s work I love was certainly a pinch me moment. If I could have even an ounce of his talent, I’d be extremely happy!
What advice would you give to current pupils of The Glasgow Academy? Work hard for yourself at the beginning, not for anyone else and don’t be afraid to prove why you deserve your spot anywhere. Take time to learn your craft.
What’s next for Rachel? Keep my head down and work hard! I’ve got a good few years of draughting ahead of me, I just hope to continue working consistently. I’m keen to Art Direct in the future, so we’ll see – I’m a long way off that, but it’s something I’m working towards.