The director’s chair is an iconic piece of furniture that almost anyone will recognize immediately. Several types are available, but all offer a comfortable and simple way to establish the person in charge.
Let’s examine the available director’s chair options today and where they originated. Then, you’ll be all set for your next film shoot!
An Overview of the Director’s Chair
The director’s chair is an iconic design used in film sets, studios, and many other places. It offers a simple and comfortable place to sit, and it is often embroidered with names or branding, giving it a personal feel.
There’s nothing like a director’s chair with your unique brand logo and color scheme. If you’re helping customers, it can also make them feel like the star of the show.
While there are different types of director’s chairs, the concept remains largely the same between each one. They are usually very light and easy to carry. They fold open and create a crossed frame beneath the chair that keeps it from moving.
The back and seat can be made from various materials but with a taut piece of cloth or fabric running across the seat and back area.
With a low backrest and armrests, it’s an incredibly functional design. The name “director’s chair” comes from the classic image of famous movie directors using these chairs on their sets.
While the historical roots of director’s chairs go back even further, they have become an easily recognizable design.
Types of Director’s Chairs & Customization Options
Companies offer various types of director’s seats but often come in a set selection of styles. The design is relatively the same for each one. The frame can be made of wood or metal.
Here are the types you’ll come across:
Classic Design
This original design sparked the image of a director sitting and calling shots just outside the set. These chairs are eighteen inches high and utilize canvas for the seat and backrest.
The most common material for the frame is wood with paddle-shaped armrests.
Commercial Series
This type of director’s chair is available in larger heights, ranging from twenty-four to thirty inches. It also uses canvas for the seat and backrest. The main difference here is the height options.
Higher chairs can be used in different settings like restaurants or bars.
Star Director Chairs
These types of director chairs offer a similar design at lower costs. They come in three different heights and utilize canvas. While they have a lower weight capacity than higher-end chairs, they’re great for those shopping on a budget.
Elite Series Chairs
Elite options are available for those who want nothing less than the best. These have frames made from premium materials like bamboo or elm wood. They also have padded cushions for seating, unlike the standard canvas.
They come in various heights and are manufactured with high-quality, stain-resistant materials.
Embroidering and Color Options
The most appealing aspect of director’s chairs is the ability to customize them in many ways. Depending on which company you are working with, you’ll have several options:
The best types of image applications utilize heat to transfer images onto the canvas or fabric. This is a cost-effective means of applying a logo or vector-based file to the surface of a chair.
Custom embroidery is also a viable option for customization purposes. Simple text can be applied to the canvas to highlight a name or position, and custom options allow you to apply an image using embroidered threads.
Finally, you can choose from different types of frames and colors. The frames are made of wood or metal and come in different colors. The color of the canvas or material on the chair is also customizable.
The History of The Iconic Director’s Chair
The director’s seat’s origins date back to the 15th century and perhaps even further. The modern design closely resembles the coffee-maker chairs used during that time. However, we will go back even further to the Curule Chairs of the Roman Empire.
This chair style was used exclusively for powerful people of high regard during the ancient Roman Empire. It came in two distinct styles. One of them resembles a stool with curved legs and a cushion top.
The other design is very similar to what we know today. Criss-crossed scissor legs with ornate armrests and a low back. The chair quickly became a symbol of power in other parts of the world.
Famous people across Europe often had this chair style, and even Napoleon was known to use one. The director’s chair, as we know it, didn’t make its debut in America until the late 1800s.
The Gold Medal Classic design was awarded at Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair. Today, you can find that same design manufactured by The Lord’s Table Inc.
Final Thoughts: Types of Director’s Chairs
All the different types of director’s chairs have something in common: an association with importance and power. If you’re sitting in a director’s seat, you feel important.
The historical roots that date back to the Roman Empire prove that this design has always been associated with greatness. Today, these chairs can be used for all kinds of seating, not just for directors.
Whether you’re a movie star or want a personalized seat to call your own, a director’s chair could be the perfect fit!