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Set Life: Designing the Scene

  • NYU Production Lab 16 Washington Place New York, NY, 10003 United States (map)

There are so many details that are integral to the production of any film or television show.  Costume and set designers and hair and make-up artists help the script come to life. Creatives share the tricks of the trade that will help you showcase your artistic skills.

Presented with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and NYU Production Lab

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

The event will be recorded and distributed through NYC Media. The Center for Communication and NYC Media will be in control of the transmission, recording, and distribution of the event.


Rashwan Abdelbaki, Scenic Artist (Severance, Search Party, The Equalizer)

Rashwan Abdelbaki is a visual artist based in NYC. He specializes in painting and printmaking. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Damascus in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in printmaking. He has received numerous fellowships and awards including from the Artist Protection Fund, American Academy in Rome, Vermont Studio Center, The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts and Westbeth. His work has been shown internationally including at the Queens Museum, Equity Gallery, Art Expo NY, George Mason University, and Montoro12 Contemporary Art Gallery, Rome.  His artworks exist in Syria, Lebanon, UAE, Germany, France, South Korea, London, Rome, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, Washington DC.

  • He is a United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 Member. He is known for his work in TV shows like American Horror Story-Thriller S3 2023, SEVERANCE S2 2023, DR. DEATH S2 2023, EVIL S4 2022-2023, THE MANIFEST S4 2022, FALLOUT HONDO 2022, RE-TREAT 2022, The EQUALIZER S1-S2 2020-2021, SEVERANCE S1 2021, HELPSTARS S2 2021, SEARCH PARTY S4 2021 and MASTER CLASS. And movies like THE PERFECT FIND 2021, PAST LIVES 2021, MEATY 2021, EILEEN 2022 and SHELTER “pilot” 2021.

Mira Patel, Scenic Designer and Assistant Art Director (Full Circle, The Calling, Law & Order, Partner Track)

Mira Patel is a scenic designer based in New York City. She received a BA in Political Science from Rhodes College, contributing to political campaigns before pursuing a Master of Science in Historic Preservation at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Following school, Mira entered the art world, working in fine art conservation at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. 

After a 10 year career in fine art, Mira completed an MA in Production Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has worked for various productions in the Savannah, GA, Washington, DC, and New York areas, and is a proud member of Local USA 829.

Mira’s extensive knowledge of art and architectural styles, history, and materials, along with her diverse travel and cultural experiences, drives her design aesthetics. Her spare time is filled with family, friends, and, mostly, her two dogs.


Nicky Smith, Costume Designer (Ramy, Kindred, Pose, The Americans)

Nicole Jescinth Smith (She/Her), is a costume designer based in New York City. Ms. Smith has both a Master’s of Fine Arts  (Univ. of Tennessee, '06) and a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts ( Univ. of Miami '03) in Theatrical Costume Design. Nicole has worked on everything from Drag Race All-Stars, The Metropolitan Opera to The Old Globe Theatre. Receiving an Emmy nomination for her work on POSE was a career highlight and she has continued to pursue her own projects as lead designer in  film, television, theatre and commercial production. 


Moderator: Linsey Bostwick, Deputy Director, NYU Production Lab

Linsey Bostwick is the NYU Production Lab’s inaugural Deputy Director. Previously the Director of Artistic Planning at The Arts Center at New York University Abu Dhabi, Bostwick has spent many years producing works in New York City and internationally. From 2010-2016 she worked on the producing team of Pomegranate Arts with artists such as Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Lucinda Childs, Robert Wilson (Einstein on the Beach) and Taylor Mac. She had been a long time creative/producing collaborator with Big Art Group and worked with Cynthia Hopkins, Susan Marshall, Nina Winthrop among others artists. Bostwick is a leadership fellow with the Association of Performing Arts Professionals. Bostwick holds two Bachelor’s degrees from University of Washington: Seattle and a Master of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College in Interactive Performance and Media Arts.


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Upon completing the survey, you will be eligible to win one of several Amazon gift cards worth $50.

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