An Observational study on risks in film and television productions; special reference to art department workflows

Abstract

The film production is a highly specialized field, characterized by a unique blend of artistic vision, technical expertise, organizational strategy, and psychological insight. It requires the coordinated efforts of diverse workflows across multiple departments, among which the art department plays a significant role in constructing the film’s visual world realistically. Within the art department’s workflows, the extensive use of human labor exposes crew members to various dangers and risks. Despite the physical challenges and occupational hazards faced by individuals in the art department, there is a notable lack of scientific research focused on health and safety practices specific to this field. This study aims to identify and document potential hazards within art department workflows, focusing particularly on risk factors emerging during the pre-production and production stages. Grounded in observational analysis of three case studies, the research presents five key risk categories thematically extracted and identified within the art department’s workflows. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of occupational risks in an art department within film production as a contribution to important local (Sri Lanka) and cross analyze global heath and safety regulations.