Scenic artists do not merely translate a design to a larger scale; they imbue a scene with personal style and experience, creating environments that linger in the mind's eye and leave lasting impressions on our culture. In a discipline undergoing rapid evolutionary change, tools and techniques reshape quickly. The work of the scenic artist maintains a bridge between tradition and revolution. When confronted with the challenge of emerging technology, the painter Edvard Munch declared, "The camera will never compete with the brush and palette until such time as photography can be taken to Heaven or Hell." We are grateful to the scenic artist who, through ingenuity and invention, assures the presence of the human touch.

Backdrops act as supporting characters, transport us to distant locals, and connect us to the stories told through the alchemy of film making. Every detail is considered, from the camera position, time of day, the direction of cast shadows, quality of light, the horizon line in relationship to the built setting, and the performers. A master scenic artist must possess a complete command of architectural drawing, atmospheric perspective, and in-depth knowledge of geological, botanical, cumulous forms. The Hollywood motion picture scenic artists were among the highest-paid members of the studio system's arsenal of craftspeople. MGM's scenic art department was considered the best among its peers.