Henry: crafting film stories through design

Henry Aitken on art direction, visual storytelling and Christchurch's screen industry

Henry Aitken is a Christchurch-based Art Director and Creative Director whose career has taken him from film school in Wellington to productions across New Zealand, London and Los Angeles. Starting out in entry-level crew roles and working his way through the art department, Henry has built a career designing and managing the visual world of film and television productions.

What was your pathway into becoming an art director?

After film school, I spent a few years in Wellington working on television shows, films and commercials. From there I moved around quite a bit, working in Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, London and Los Angeles. Throughout that time I gradually worked my way up through the art department.

It was really a matter of learning on the job, moving from production to production and steadily building experience.

Was there any key moment or decision that shaped your career direction?

Discovering the art department was the most fulfilling part for me. You're involved from the very beginning in pre-production. You read the script and help tell the story from a visual perspective.

For me, storytelling is the most important part of filmmaking, and the art department has a big role in helping bring that story to life.

What skills do you use day-to-day?

Problem-solving would be the number one skill. In the art department, you’re constantly presented with challenges that need solutions.

You get a script, break it down, work out what props, vehicles, set dressing and locations are needed, and then figure out how to make it all happen. There’s always some sort of logistical or creative problem to solve.

The other big skill is working with people. Film is completely collaborative. You spend all day working with different crew members and departments, so being able to communicate and collaborate is essential.

What advice would you give someone considering a career in screen?

If you know exactly what you want to do, then throw yourself into that area and learn as much as you can. But if you’re not sure, keep an open mind and try lots of different roles.

When I started out, I thought I wanted to be a cinematographer. Instead, I ended up in the art department because I realised I enjoyed the creative and design side of filmmaking more. Sometimes the pathway you imagine at the beginning isn’t where you end up.

Why do you think Christchurch is such a good place for the screen sector?

I genuinely think Christchurch is the best place in New Zealand for a film industry to grow. A lot of productions that come to New Zealand are looking for landscapes. Even productions that are based in studios often end up coming to the South Island for locations.

Christchurch sits in a really unique position. You've got mountains, rivers, lakes, beaches and rural landscapes all within easy reach.

It’s also a large enough city to support the wider industry. You need accommodation for cast and crew, skilled tradespeople to build sets and infrastructure to support productions. Christchurch has all of those things.