Set Decorators Society of America (SDSA)

Overview

The Set Decorators Society of America (SDSA) is the professional association representing set decorators working in motion pictures, television, commercials, and streaming productions. Founded in 1993 and headquartered at 7100 Tujunga Ave, Suite A, North Hollywood, CA 91605, the SDSA is an international organization that advocates for the recognition of set decoration as a distinct creative contribution and provides professional community, education, and industry resources for its members.

The SDSA is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation, separate from any labor union. The organization does not represent set decorators in negotiations regarding wages or working conditions, leaving that function to IATSE locals including Local 44 in Los Angeles, Local 52 in New York, and Local 479 in Atlanta. The SDSA focuses on craft advocacy, professional networking, education, and its annual awards program.

If you are a set decorator working in film or television, SDSA membership provides professional community, awards eligibility, networking events, and industry visibility. If you are a producer, the SDSA Awards recognize outstanding set decoration work and can help identify experienced decorators for your production. Visit setdecorators.org to apply for membership or view awards information.

Membership Costs and Requirements

The SDSA offers multiple membership levels, each with specific qualification requirements:

Set Decorator Membership

Set Decorators are key department heads and members of the design team for film, television, and commercials.

Requirements:

• A resume documenting at least two years of experience working exclusively as a Set Decorator
• Film: minimum 20 hours of set decorating work
• Television: minimum 20 hours, composed of single and/or multiple camera projects
• Commercials: documented set decorating work
• Three professional references, two of which must be from SDSA members (Set Decorator, Associate, or Business members). If you do not know SDSA members, contact the SDSA for a personal interview with a member sponsor. The third reference may be an industry professional, colleague, designer, or vendor.

Fees:

• Application fee: $25 (one-time, non-refundable, credit card only)
• Annual dues: $250 (tax deductible, billed upon approval)
• Reactivation application fee: $25

Once approved, you have 90 days to pay dues or you must reapply.

Associate Membership

Associates are Assistant Set Decorators, Set Decoration Coordinators, Buyers, Leads, and Set Dressers.

Requirements:

• Three professional references (same rules as Set Decorator membership)
• A current resume

Fees:

• Application fee: $25 (one-time, non-refundable)
• Annual dues: $175 (tax deductible, billed upon approval)

Business Membership

Business Members provide products, goods, and services to the entertainment design world, or place products in film and television productions. Business membership tiers are based on company size:

All business membership applications require a $25 one-time processing fee. Up to five Board seats are reserved for Business Members, who can vote in SDSA elections but otherwise do not vote in awards or membership matters.

Other Membership Categories

• Retired Set Decorator: For decorators no longer actively working
• Honorary Member: For individuals who have provided significant support to SDSA's mission
• Educational and Student Member: For students and educators in set decoration or production design programs
• Friend Member: For supporters of the set decoration community

SDSA Awards

The SDSA presents annual awards in two categories: Film and Television. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in the art of set decoration in feature films and television productions.

SDSA Awards for Film 2025

The 6th Annual SDSA Awards for Film covers projects released between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. Key dates:

Submission fees: SDSA members pay a $25 processing fee per production (submission fee waived for members). Non-members pay $250 per production, of which $150 can be applied toward SDSA membership application on a one-time basis.

Award categories: Fantasy or Science Fiction Feature, Period Feature Film, Comedy, Musical Feature Film, and additional decor/design categories. All eligible films must have a credited Set Decorator. The SDSA Awards also include a Best Picture of the Year vote.

Voting: Open to all SDSA members in good standing at the Set Decorator, Retired Set Decorator, Associate, and Business Member levels. Each member receives one vote in nominations and one in finals. Business Members have one vote per business.

Awarded Set Decorators receive SDSA Award Certificates. Up to three crew members chosen by the Set Decorator receive Crew Recognition Certificates. Additional certificates cost $50 each.

SDSA Awards for Television 2025-2026

The 6th Annual SDSA Awards for Television covers projects released between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026. Final round voting runs July 10-17, 2026, with winners announced August 9, 2026.

Full rules and procedures are available at setdecorators.org.

The Set Decorator's Role

Set decorators are responsible for selecting and placing all furnishings, props, and decorative elements within a film or television set. Working under the production designer and in collaboration with the art director, the set decorator translates architectural drawings and design concepts into fully dressed, camera-ready environments.

The distinction between set decoration and production design reflects a functional division: the production designer conceives the overall visual world. The set decorator populates and furnishes it. A set decorator manages the acquisition of all set dressing items within the art department's budget, including vendor relationships, rental coordination, purchasing, and the organizational capability to manage large inventories across multiple sets.

For period productions, the set decorator's research and sourcing capabilities are critical to visual authenticity. The difference between a period production with a skilled set decorator and one without is visible in every frame.

Separation from IATSE

The SDSA explicitly states its separation from labor unions. The organization does not negotiate wages or working conditions for set decorators. That function belongs to IATSE locals:

• IATSE Local 44 (Los Angeles): Affiliated Property Craftspersons, covering prop masters and set dressers
• IATSE Local 52 (New York): Set decorators and related crafts in the New York region
• IATSE Local 479 (Atlanta): Set decorators and related crafts in the Georgia region

Set decorators who need wage minimums, health benefits, and union protections should pursue IATSE membership through the appropriate local. SDSA membership provides craft advocacy, networking, awards, and professional development, but not labor representation.

Historical Context

The SDSA was founded in 1993 to address the lack of consistent recognition for set decoration as a distinct creative craft. Set decoration credit has historically been less consistently displayed than other art department credits, and the SDSA's advocacy has focused on ensuring that set decorators receive appropriate on-screen credit and industry recognition.

The SDSA Awards program began with film awards and expanded to include television awards, reflecting the growth of prestige television and streaming production. The 6th Annual SDSA Awards for Film in 2025 and the 6th Annual SDSA Awards for Television in 2025-2026 demonstrate the organization's continued expansion of its awards recognition program.

The SDSA's funding comes from membership dues, corporate sponsors, Business Member contributions, website and social media advertising, activity fees, and grants for small business development and educational support.

What Filmmakers Should Know

For Producers and Directors

The set decorator is among the art department's most budget-intensive roles, responsible for managing the acquisition of all set dressing items within the art department's budget. A senior set decorator brings vendor relationships, an eye for period accuracy and character-appropriate detail, and the organizational capability to manage large inventories across multiple sets. Understanding what a qualified set decorator brings helps productions allocate appropriate resources to this role.

For Set Decorators Seeking Membership

Set Decorator membership requires two years of exclusive set decorating experience and three professional references, two of which must be from current SDSA members. If you do not know SDSA members, contact the organization to request a personal interview with a member sponsor. The application fee is $25, and annual dues are $250. Contact the SDSA office at 818-255-2425 or sdsa@setdecorators.org for application assistance.

For Business Members

SDSA Business Membership provides direct access to the set decoration community across film, television, streaming, commercials, and music videos. Business members can advertise on the SDSA website, participate in member events, and receive one free e-blast per year with membership. Download the Business Member Application from setdecorators.org and email the completed form to officialsdsa@setdecorators.org.

See Also

For the production designer and art director roles that work alongside the set decorator, see Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) in this directory. For the IATSE local that represents set dressers in Los Angeles, see Affiliated Property Craftspersons (IATSE Local 44) in this directory. For how art department costs are structured in film budgets, see Above the Line vs Below the Line. Use the Indie Film Budget Calculator to estimate how set decoration costs affect your production budget. For SDSA Awards rules and submission information, visit setdecorators.org.