Designing Film: Premiere at Michigan Theater!

I’m excited to share that Sex Radical, directed by Andy Kirshner and starring Emily Sutton-Smith, Priscilla Lindsay, and Joey Albright, will premiere on Thursday, October 30th at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. You can find details about the screening here.

This is my second project with Andy Kirshner, and as always, it came with one of my favorite creative challenges: how to design under strict budget parameters. How do you make something out of nothing?

Building the World

For this film, I built the rooms entirely from scratch using flats and then turned that same space into three distinct sets. Because we weren’t allowed to paint in the location, I used removable vinyl wallpaper to change wall colors between scenes. Each set had its own visual identity, defined through furniture swaps, artwork changes, and color palettes that reflected the tone of the story.

One of the most fun scenes to decorate was a séance scene, which called for a darker, moodier atmosphere. I filled the room with candles, layered textures, and small visual cues to build that energy. It’s amazing how much atmosphere can come from subtle shifts in lighting and detail.

The Art of Filling Space

Low-budget design means every inch of the set has to work. A lived-in space can’t feel empty, even when minimalism is intentional, it has to be crafted. I relied on small details like lamps, props on dressers, and items peeking out of drawers to create depth and authenticity. These are the things the audience may not consciously notice, but they feel them. It also gives the actors something to interact with and can help breathe life into the story.

When we filmed the second half of the movie, we reused and transformed the space again. I added molding to hide seams in the walls and built a separate window wall to make the room look completely different. Even the doorplates, knobs, and signage were changed to give each set its own identity.

Working Within Constraints

Designing within limitations pushes you to think differently. This project reminded me about the joys of finding new ways to make something work. Sometimes scrounging the location you're shooting in (and remembering where you pulled things from) can be the best way to fill an empty space. With creativity and tools like removable aging sprays, you can create period-accurate pieces that add richness and character to a scene.

About the Film

At the turn of the 20th century, the powerful federal censor Anthony Comstock believed he was on a “holy” mission to save America’s youth from “sexual sin.” But when he tried to silence the visionary feminist Ida Craddock, she fought back — defending the right of a woman to “control her own person,” even at great personal risk.

A film by Andy Kirshner. Sponsored by the Center for the Education of Women+, the Stamps School of Art and Design, the Institute for Research on Women and Gender, and the James and Anne Duderstadt Center at the University of Michigan.