Crew Profiles: Brian Simpson & Jackpine Scenic
/Local 490 has some of the best crew in MN on our roster. They have worked on features, short films and commercials. They are on the top tier in the MN film industry. In this series, Crew Profiles, we are highlighting our union members on our roster. Next up, Local 490 member Brian Simpson. He is a specialist in building sets, props and leading art dept. crews.
1) Tells us about you and what you do in Film and TV?
I work as an Art Director but I also own Jackpine Scenic. We do sets, custom props, and advertising displays for Film, TV, Commercials and Events. Find us at jackpinescenic.com and follow us on instagram @jackpinescenic
2) How long have you been working in the Industry?
17 years
3) Tell us about your new gear, shop space that you’ve acquired?
This spring we moved to a larger shop space in the 280/University area. We do woodwork, metal work, painting, foam sculpting and anything else that comes up. We also now can spray hard coating on foam sculptures and displays using either polyurethane or polyurea.
4) Who is calling you for this work?
We do sets for commercials and photo shoots. We did some work for the film Downtown Owl. The bulk of our year went to the 3M Open golf tournament. We work with Brand Ink to create all kinds of displays for 3M. Some of the displays are floating in lakes, some of them are out near tee boxes and greens. A lot of them are interactive for the guests including mini golf holes and a large walk through wind chime instrument. This year we had over 40 displays on the golf course. This one event takes several months to prep and then we spend the entire month of July on the golf course installing and then striking everything.
Here are some pictures as well as the info pdf I send out for Jackpine Scenic.
5) Can you see other places you want to go with your business?
We are going to pursue building more sets and custom props. Next year we may be pursuing additional golf tournaments with Brand Ink. The foam sculpting is an area for growth. After we spray the foam elements with a hard coat, they can be finished in a variety of ways. Elements can be painted or we can print graphics on vinyl and have them wrapped. These work for advertising displays, but they can also be built for set elements that are strong enough for actors walk on. As an example we can create functional faux stone steps out of foam. The mini golf holes that we made for the 3M Open were sculpted out of foam and then hard coated with polyurethane. 10,000 people played the mini golf holes this year and they are still ready for next year.
MN Lottery Commercial, Set by Brian Simpson & Jackpine Scenic.
6) Do you have any hopes for the new film incentive?
I am definitely hopeful for the incentive. There has been a lot of hiccups that are mostly the fault of the legislature but I am optimistic that we will start to see some larger projects.
7) How long have you been a member of Local 490?
Since 2008.
Mayo Clinic Commercial, Art Direction by Brian Simspon & Jackpine Scenic.
Local 490 is proud to have members like Brian Simpson on our union roster. All of our union members are the best in their stagecraft. You can find out more about Brian’s work at his website. jackpinescenic.com
Please support our film industry by hiring members like Brian Simpson and shooting your next production on a union contract. In doing so, you are getting the best crew in Minnesota, your project will be safe, well run, your crew will be professional. You will be paying the crew good wages, supplying workers comp, unemployment insurance and even retirement benefits. This supports our union brothers and sisters before, during and after your project. Contact our business agent at this email, businessagent@iatse490.net, to find out more about shooting union.
If you would like to be featured in Crew Profiles, pls contact Mark Wojahn in the social media committee, or email him at socialmedia@iatse490.net.