Set Design

Coming from its theatrical predecessor, set design is an integral aspect of the mise-en-scene. Without sets, films would not be as engrossing or believable as they are. Sets are often designed and built in studios, like Edison's Black Maria or Universal's back lot, but they can also outside locations like Los Angeles or even Vancouver.

Types of Design:

There are many different types of sets. A few specific examples are presentational and representational. Presentational sets are uses to aid in the presentation of information like a newroom or talkshow set. Representational sets are meant to mimic real life as in a 'real' hotel room, kitchen or building (Joy of Sets).

The Choice of Studio or On Location

Many directors choose to shoot on a set because they can control the environment and avoid the transportation costs of shipping equipment, crew and cast around remote areas (Wikipedia: Filming Location). Studio locations also gives the director and set designer the ability to meet the set requirements of the script. Much like Steven Spielberg does in Jaws, he controls the action and the shots he can make by building part of his set and an animatronic shark, in a backlot in Los Angeles. On the other hand, filming on locations gives a director completely different choices than a studio back lot ever could. On location filming is often cheaper than building expansive sets on backlots and gives even more force to the illusion of reality than even the best studio set. Filming on location offers gives poorer countries, like the Czech Republic or Romania, much needed economic development by providing the accommodations such as room, food and builders for the filming. (Wikipedia: Filming Location). Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings is a good example of on location filming.

http://videoexpert.home.att.net/artic2/236sets.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filming_location

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_construction