CRITICAL ROLE
I’ve had the opportunity to do a few magical freelance jobs with Critical Role. The work I’ve done with them has included set design, prop fabrication, and building on-camera miniatures. You can find samples of all this work on this page.
FOUR SIDED DIVE (SET UPDATE)
BEFORE
AFTER
I was hired to give this set a major facelift. The set had a solid foundation, so I focused on adding more life and character using paint, updated furniture, and detailed references to the CR universe.
I designed some texture and a touch of “age” to the set to make it feel more convincing as a real space. Partnering with painter Chris Powers, I added soot stains to the fireplace, dimension to the rocks and mortar, and stained some wood pieces like the bar top and steps to match the rest of the wood grain in the room.
I also sourced some new furniture pieces that felt more intentional and functional for the space. I worked with Set Decorator Lindsay Cantrell to replace the table and rug with pieces that felt more cohesive. We also added a bookshelf, credenza, and replaced the bar stools to create a more full and functional bar space.
Lastly, the set needed every nook and cranny filled with appropriate items. I filled the bar shelves, book shelf, fireplace, and more with custom made pieces to reference the characters and moments from the show. With some inspiration from CR’s Lore Keeper Dani Carr, I was able to add some unique references only revealed on this set.
Role: Art Director Live Stream/Twitch/Youtube Set 2023
Producer: Kyle Shire
Set Decorator: Lindsey Cantrell
Painter: Chris Powers
Set Dresser: Thomas Pezzulo
LAUDNA’S BODY HORROR FAN
For Critical Role’s live show at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, I was asked to construct a unique hand fan: the closed hand fan is in the shape of a coffin enclosing the character. When it opens, the character appears to be ripped in half, and the words “Body Horror Fan” are written on the fan itself. I illustrated the text and viscera to include references from the character’s story, and had all the pieces printed at Warner Brother’s print shop.
Role: Prop Maker Live Show @ the Greek Theater 2024
PREDATHOS MINIATURE BATTLE MAP
I partnered with fabricator Nox Berf to construct the final battle map for Critical Role’s third campaign. I did the terrain sculpting, and the foundational layers of painting, while Nox worked on printing the crystals and sculpting the Predathos miniature. The process took about 4 days, and about 40+ hours of sculpting foam rocks, finding a satisfying composition, and layering the textures in.
Role: Prop Maker Live Stream/Twitch/Youtube 2024
Producer: Kyle Shire
Art Director: Nox Berf
EXU: CALAMITY MINIATURE
I built a miniature cathedral wall, featuring magical stained glass windows designed by Joanna Johnen. The walls had to frame the windows as features, and not be too distracting for the battle, so I decided to aim for a simple marble cathedral design. I was given the dimensions of the floor that Brennan Lee Mulligan made using pre-made dungeon tiles, and designed my wall shape around that. The walls and columns are mostly made of foamcore that I imprinted a brick texture onto, and I enhanced the texture with layers of paint to make it look like old marble bricks. I finished off the build with the stained glass printed on acetate so the dramatic lights Brennan wanted could shine through for the final old cathedral effect. In total this took me about 18 hours over the course of two days to complete and hand off.
Role: Prop Maker Live Stream/Twitch/Youtube 2022
Producer: Kyle Shire
Illustrator: Joanna Johnen