Therapist Office Set Design
Production Designer Comedy Film
Location Before
After
Work In Progress
Coffee Shop, Set Design
Florida Retirement Home Set Design
Location Before
After
New York City Restaurant Set Design
Dr. Sam is a coming-of-age comedy about a struggling millennial musician who masquerades as a therapist to pay his rent, unexpectedly leading him toward a personal breakthrough. The production design uses a jewel-tone palette to connect the film’s varied locations throughout New York City and create a cohesive visual world that reflects its themes of determination and finding the courage to pursue your dreams.
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The therapist’s office serves as the centerpiece of the story. Quirky set decoration brings a comedic energy to the space, while an eclectic collection of set dressing became an unexpected part of the performances. Inspired by the objects around them, the actors incorporated different pieces into the foreground of each therapy scene, creating a subtle visual motif that gave each session its own personality. Layers of office supplies, retro technology, dated artwork, and a worn chair from decades past suggest the therapist’s long career while reinforcing his tired, bored, almost-retired attitude. Handmade motivational signs featuring illustrations and ironic messages were designed and created by the Production Designer, adding another layer of humor while emphasizing the therapist’s unprofessionalism.
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Outside the office, the set design of the receptionist’s desk heightens the absurdity through bright colors and playful set dressing. An excessive collection of Post-it notes covered with comedic messages surrounds the desk. An assortment of stuffed animals, offered to patients as a means of soothing them, further adds to the office’s ridiculousness.
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The coffee shop carries the color scheme into another setting, with a playful DIY backdrop created for an open mic night. The main character’s mother’s home was transformed from a cluttered and visually distracting location into a cheerful, warm environment that provided a more grounded emotional space for the story. For the restaurant scenes, the set design transformed an existing Irish pub into a polished, high-end New York City restaurant. Custom-designed menus and a promotional flyer were made by the Production Designer to complete the transformation.
