You have racked up thousands of dollars in debt going to school to become a production designer, only to get stuck working as a P.A. on low-budget movies that don’t pay enough to even cover your rent. Oh well, you can always sleep in a car. And hey, dumpster diving in L.A. can be quite trendy (as long as it’s not for food).

You toil away for years as a set designer trying to get someone to give you a break. Unfortunately, the art directors like you fine as a set designer, but not enough to promote you to anything else...ever. Oh well, at least you have a job.

You work for years as a set designer, an assistant art director, and an art director. Finally, you get a chance to step up to the production designer seat. Too bad it’s because your best friend has croaked, leaving the seat for you to fill. Oh well, do it for the Gipper.

You are respected and admired by others in your field and have solid working relationships with a number of top film directors. You’re never lacking for work and are hopeful that this is the year you’ll finally win an Oscar for the magnificent work you’ve done on a box office hit. Your mother constantly brags about all you’ve done.

You’ve won so many Oscars for best production design that they’re considering renaming the award in your honor. All the great directors want you to work for them and are willing to pay you top dollar and then some for the honor. Your sketches are framed and on exhibit in the Smithsonian as examples of superior production design. Spielberg has you on speed dial and you get invited to all the great parties in town.