One day Workshop with Fiona Donovan and Lisa Scope on Collaborating Across Departments – Production Design & Location Management

COURSE OVERVIEW: Fiona Donovan and Lisa Scope will co-present a workshop focused on the collaborative relationship between Production Designers and Location Managers. The session will draw directly from their shared experience on Back to the Rafters, where they worked closely to bring the series' visual world to life.

They will walk through their process, from initial concepts and location briefs through to scouting, approvals and final builds, highlighting how early and consistent collaboration between these two departments shaped both the creative and logistical outcomes.

This workshop will offer practical insights into how design and locations can align more effectively to serve the narrative, manage real-world constraints, and support a smooth production process.

FIONA DONOVAN completed her first degree in Architecture at Canberra University, before moving to Sydney and taking up a place in the Set and Costume Design Course at NIDA. Since graduating from the NIDA in 1992, Fiona has worked in many genres of film, television and theatre.

Fiona has been nominated four times for the AACTA Award for Best Production Design in Television for her work on the internationally successful period drama, A Place to Call Home. She was first nominated in 2016 for Series 4, Episode 1. In 2017, she was nominated and awarded the AACTA for Series 5, Episode 2. Her third nomination was in 2018 for Series 6, Episode 1, and a fourth nomination in 2019 for Frayed Series 1. Fiona also won the APDG Award for Production Design on a Television Drama for Series 6 of A Place to Call Home in 2019. Fiona has also been nominated for an APDG award in 2023 for The Twelve and 2022 for Frayed Series 2.

Most recently, Fiona was the production designer on the upcoming Feature The Correspondent which is opening the Adelaide film festival, the series Silver for Stan, the Logie and AACTA nominated Erotic Stories anthology (Lingo Pictures/ SBS), prior to this she designed feature Sting directed and written by Kiah Roache-Turner.

Fiona designed the Logie and AACTA award winning miniseries The Twelve (Warner Bros/Easy Tiger), released in 2022. Fiona worked on both series of Frayed for Merman Productions and Guesswork Television, written by and starring Sarah Kendall.

Fiona has art directed extensively in both television and film. She has been art director of several high-profile Australian television series, including the police drama Young Lions, the 22-part ABC legal drama Crownies on which she was also the episode designer after the first 4 episodes, and the 1960s period comedy-drama Love Child. She has art directed on international film productions including Truth, The Shallows and Pacific Rim Uprising.

Fiona is currently the vice president of the APDG and is active on both the screen and awards committees, MEAA ECS Federal President, sits on the Council for AFTRS and Creative Workplaces for Creative Australia.

LISA SCOPE is a highly accomplished Location Manager based in Sydney with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Starting her career with a background in acting and producing for theatre, Lisa discovered her passion for location scouting and management, transitioning into this specialized craft. She began by working on TV commercials before moving into high-profile film and television projects.

Lisa is known for her exceptional scouting skills and unwavering dedication, having managed locations for some of Australia’s most beloved dramas, including Love Child, Packed to the Rafters, Love My Way, and Rescue Special Ops. Her work spans both local and international productions, playing a crucial role in securing major films such as Universal’s The Fall Guy, Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder, Sony Pictures' Peter Rabbit 2, Goalpost Pictures' I Am Woman, and The Daughter. Lisa recently worked on the yet-to-be-released Sam Raimi film Send Help for 20th Century Studios.

Her expertise in stakeholder engagement and negotiation has been instrumental in bringing large-scale productions to Australia. Through her extensive experience collaborating with local government agencies, Lisa has held significant roles with Screen NSW, where she fosters partnerships with the global film industry and helps position Australia as a premier international filming location.

In 2022, Lisa was elected to the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) Board, serving as Secretary and Director for the Oceania Region. As a board member, she is committed to advocating for location professionals and advancing the industry’s recognition on a global scale. She is also an active member of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), where she sits on the Screen Negotiating Committee and serves on the Federal Council, championing fair and equitable practices within the screen industry.

With her wealth of experience, leadership, and passion for the craft, Lisa Scope continues to be a driving force in the entertainment industry, both locally and globally.

Lunch will not be provided. The Ugly Duckling Cafe is open 8am - 3pm on Sat and is across the street from Building 29. Or please feel free to bring your own lunch.

REMINDER: This is a free workshop for Screen Illawarra members. If you’re unsure of the status of your membership, please reach out to confirm you’re a current member.

Non-members please join Screen Illawarra/renew your membership to attend.

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