Biography

Since 2002, I have worked in the film industry in Set Decoration to bring historical accuracy and structural integrity to period ship movie sets. A member of IATSE Local 44 for over 20 years, I advise and work directly with the Art Department, Special Effects, Set Decoration, Construction, the Director, Camera, Lighting, Sound, Grips, Stunts, and Drapery. From the earliest concept drawings to morning-of-shoot breakfast napkin sketches from the Director, I uniquely contribute design, fabrication, and On-set use of traditional sailing ship rigging and elements of daily life aboard, including working with Cast and Background while filming, for periods from the 14th-19th Century.

My credits also include ship interior holds, fo’c’s’le, crew and officer quarters sets (Chief of War, National Treasure, Pirates of the Caribbean), Colonial mine shafts (National Treasure), organic space ships (Star Trek), and building ship models and other hand props and dressing, as well as rigging and use of period firearms from flintlock pistols to 20 pounder shipboard cannons. I deliver the most realistic and authentic set possible within the realm of the production design vision.

Film Production Credits

Chief of War, Yenadakine Films, Auckland, New Zealand, Master Ship Rigger, 2023

Stage set based on Endeavour 18th Century Whitby Collier Traditional Polynesian waka canoes, 18th Century

Designed and budgeted replica of Cook’s Endeavour rig including spars, standing and running rigging, blocks, deadeyes and related fittings. Advised art department and construction departments in duplicating hull and deck appurtenances. Collaborated with Special Effects and stage riggers in engineering set structure for safety. Acted as technical advisor and sailing master during filming, advising Director and principal cast. Acted in costume  and directed 25 extras in proper traditional sail handling. Made set dressing for European and American longboats. Oversaw artifact and set dressing placement of ship interior sets, including historically accurate canon rigging for 12 guns. Performed sail repair to woven lauhala fiber waka sails, assisted conversion of a local vessel to represent traditional waka.

Chief of War, Yenadakine Films, Oahu, Hawai’i, Polynesian Sailmaker/On-set Dresser, 2022

Assisted sailmaker with hand-sewing lauhala mat sails for Polynesian wakas; onset dressing for wakas                                                                                                                                                

Our Flag Means Death Season 2, HBO Productions, Auckland, New Zealand, Master Ship Rigger, 2022

Stage set Revenge Early 18th Century 3-masted ship Stage set Chinese Junk 18th Century, reassembled rigging of Revenge set on a new build, collaborated with construction and Special Effects  in ensuring safe structural integrity of new set. Trained and supervised assistant rigger. In conjunction with the Art Department designed and fabricated Chinese Junk rig and sails, as well as a multi-purpose ship deck set used to represent three other nondescript vessels by re-dressing. 

Washington Black, Hulu Network, Mexico City, Mexico, Master Ship Rigger, 2022

Bluenose II Canadian Fishing Schooner

Collaborated and advised the Art Department in the historically accurate rig design for a set replica of the schooner built at Quarry Studios; worked with Construction and special effects to ensure a safe build of the schooner; directed assistant rigger in assembling and fitting all parts of the rigging to the set.

Our Flag Means Death, HBO Productions, Burbank, CA, Master Ship Rigger, 2021

Stage set Revenge Early 18th Century 3-masted ship stage sets of unnamed Spanish, Dutch, and French 18th Century ships

Worked in conjunction with the Art Department, Directors, Set Decoration and Props to design all rigging for historic appearance and functionality for specific movie needs on Revenge set and all other mast pieces and ship sections; collaborated with Special Effects, Paint, Construction, and Stunts on all phases of filming; acted as consultant for Set Decoration and Props, providing examples and designing pieces to be used by actors and extras; provided assistance to Writers and Photography/Camera for ship-related problem-solving; instructed actors in use of rigging and sails; created budget for all ship-rigging related sets, purchased all materials, hired and supervised crew of 3; responsible to Production for staying within budget, assembled all rigging elements and fitted to the set ships.

Pirates of the Caribbean 5, Jack Sparrow Productions, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Ship Rigging Department Head, 2016

Rigged down Black Pearl in her her Louisana dry storage to send to Australia for Principal Photography. In Vancouver, reassembled rigging on the stage rebuilds of Black Pearl, Flying Dutchman, Salazar’s ship set piece, Dying Gull set piece. Collaborated with Art Department and Directors to achieve desired sets. Advised  actors and stuntmen in proper sail handling. Designed and built a new mast set piece. 

Motion Picture Industry, Hollywood, CA, Ship Rigging Consultant & Rigger, 2010-2014

Worked directly with the Art Department to design historically correct rigs for various sailing ships. Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010), drew design and spec’d line sizes, provided budget for build of the “Dawn Treader” vessel; 12 Years A Slave (2013), designed schooner rig for an unnamed vessel, provided dimensions and budget, built rig and shipped to set in Louisiana; 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (2014), designed rig for “USS Lincoln”, an early steam/sail powered ship, provided dimensions and budget.  

Pirates of the Caribbean I, II, III, and IV Motion Picture Industry, Hollywood, CA, Department Head, Ship Rigging, 2002-2010

Designed and built rigging for all ships and set pieces; re-rigged existing replica ships Bounty, Providence, St. Peter, and parts of Surprise. Worked directly with the Art Department and Director to design all rigging for historic appearance and functionality for specific movie needs on all vessels used in the production. Collaborated with Special Effects, Paint, Construction, and Stunts on all phases of the movie. Acted as consultant for Set Decoration and Props, providing examples and designing pieces to be used by actors and extras. Provided assistance to Writers and Photography/Camera for ship-related problem-solving. Instructed actors in use of rigging, sails, and cannon/firearms. Created budget for all ship related sets, purchased all materials, hired crew of 12. Responsible to Production for staying within budget. Responsible for replacing rigging on hired vessels with historically and  camera appropriate rigging to  function properly for safe operation of these vessels on high seas.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, & AFFILIATIONS

IATSE LOCAL 44, 2003-present

Manlift Operator Certification, 2002-present

Forklift Operator Certification, 2008-present

Fall Arrest Training, 2008-present

Fall Arrest Competent Person, 2015-present

OSHA Hazardous Materials, 2008-2021

HAZCOM, 2008-2021

Lead Awareness, 2008-2021

Pathogen Training, 2008-2021

Harassment Prevention Training, 2021

HSTC Historic Preservation Training Center, National Park Service, 2018-2019

OUPV Coast Guard, 1999

STCW Shipboard Firefighting, 1999

University of Miami, Coral Gables FL—Marine Science undergraduate coursework, 1987-1988