Meet Dylan Hutchins | Production Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dylan Hutchins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dylan, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was actually born and spent most of my childhood in a quaint little historic, super arts heavy town in between Montreal and Ottawa Canada.. I still honestly marvel to this day at how magical my childhood was. Exploring forests, creeks and waterfalls, cross country skiing and ice skating canals, taking pottery and painting classes and horseback riding through some seriously epic pastures. The odd weekend was spent either attending the Royal Theatre at the National Arts Center with my one set of grandparents, or heading to Toronto, to soak in more culture, or an impromptu magic show with my other grandparents. It’s the total immersion in every aspect of the arts as a young boy that has truly stuck with me to this day and shaped who I am today as a Production Designer and Creator. I mean it really was a wonderful stoking of the imagination.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a production designer I am truly blessed to be able to create new worlds, sets, props and do this from concept to execution. I think what sets me apart from other designers is that I’ve climbed the ladder from the bottom and learned the theories and execution on my way.. I didn’t just sit in a classroom and come out thinking I was a production designer, I started the hard way in scenic painting, cleaning buckets, mixing tints, and paints, applying faux finishes, etc. then jumped into set dressing, decorating, buying, and I think most importantly is on set dressing where you’re literally the only art dept representative on an entire shooting crew and your split second problem solving and decision making can either make or break a scene. Especially back in my early years when we still shot everything on film. You learned quickly how to make it happen. End of story. Was it easy to get to where I am today? No. Was I confident and feel I had the chops to make it happen? Absolutely! If the world wants to know one thing about my brand, that’s easy, as I always tell new and old clients, “I will supersede all expectations creatively you may have.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
LA definitely has some pretty stellar and legendary spots to check out, but I think if I was running the tour it would have to be hitting some of my favorite beaches up in Malibu, probably grabbing a bite at Neptunes Net and or Cholada Thai Beach, maybe touring the Getty Villa which is extraordinary, and then heading down to Venice. Not because it’s maybe as cool as it was even 10 years ago but as I was a skateboarder for most of my life it’s nice to show the historical relevance of spots. Maybe then head east down.Santa Monica Blvd which covers a lot of sight seeing scenarios. Pop over to Hollywood Blvd for the madness, and then maybe just cruise over the hill to Burbank to see the studios, and hey if the had a couple extra days lunch on the pier in Santa Barbara, or the amazing missions down south. Definitely lots to take in.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Definitely want to thank all the teachers and folks i worked for in my earlier years who could see that under my rebellious spirit and twinkle in my eye that there really was a good person under there that just needed som guidance and channeling. Your words and guidance have truly stuck with me. Also much thanks to my Family who always told me to never stop believing in magic and that it’s ok to take the road less traveled. Currently I just want to thank all my amazing clients who trust me daily to bring their ideas to life. I am honored to have such an epic network of amazing people in my life.

Instagram: Theworldofdylanhutchins