Spotlighting the Skills Behind Our Sets
At Totom, the real stars of any production are the people behind the scenes – the craftsmen, project managers, and problem-solvers who bring a set to life. This September, we’re shining a spotlight not just on the management team who keep everything on track, but also on our talented crew, showcasing the skills and experience that have made Totom a leading name in set construction for TV, film, events, and retail.
Planning Every Detail – Tom and a Production Designer reviewing set drawings for The Take
For over 35 years, Totom has been at the forefront of set construction, creating everything from intricate TV sets to large-scale event installations. Our work spans across TV, film, and retail, and it’s our diverse team of experts that make it all happen. From carpenters and painters to project managers and logistics coordinators, every member of the Totom family plays a vital role. Many of the Production Designers we collaborate with are members of the British Film Designers Guild (BFDG), an organisation that supports and celebrates excellence in TV and Film design across the UK. We recently shared a round-up of useful resources and organisations for the Art Department for anyone looking to explore the wider support network around the industry.
Our expertise goes beyond simply building sets. It’s the attention to detail and mastery of complex finishes that truly sets us apart. For example, in our work on This England, we were tasked with recreating 10 Downing Street. We meticulously replicated the iconic wood panelling, faux marbling, and detailed tiled flooring, ensuring each room conveyed the authenticity of the space. These intricate details, combined with our team’s craftsmanship, made the set both visually stunning and historically accurate.
When a brief lands on our desks, we don’t just see it as a challenge; we see an opportunity to bring our combined experience to life and deliver a set that exceeds expectations.
Historic Accuracy in Every Element – Recreating Downing Street for This England
Experience at the Drawing Board – Tom and Danny planning a build.
The Power of Collaboration in Set Construction
We understand that set construction isn’t just about the build, it’s about making the design vision come to life. That’s why we work closely with Production Designers to ensure that every detail, big or small, meets their expectations. We know that designers juggle tight schedules, demanding briefs, and high stakes, and it’s our job to make their jobs easier by bringing their ideas to life seamlessly.
As Danny, our General Manager, says:
“All the designers want to be your sole focus. Making them all feel like your number one priority is a challenge, but it’s very important. A lot of our customers are our return customers, part of the reason they’ve come back is because you always make them feel like they’re a priority, not just another job.”
Bringing Sets to Life – Filming on the completed The Take set.
It’s not just about executing a plan; it’s about creating a partnership where designers know they can rely on us to deliver exactly what they need, when they need it. Whether it’s collaborating on a creative solution for a tricky build or managing expectations on fast turnarounds, we ensure that every designer feels heard, valued, and supported throughout the process.
Technology also plays a key role in this collaboration. Clinton, our CNC and Digital Fabrication specialist, explains how using tools like SketchUp and our CNC router allows us to partner with designers from the earliest stages:
“SketchUp’s a really good place to start. Once you’ve got a 3D model, it avoids that whole ‘lost in translation’ problem … SketchUp clears that up before you even get to production. Once you’ve got the SketchUp model, you can import it straight into the CAD/CAM system. That goes directly to the CNC, which speeds everything up and cuts out a lot of human error. You get both speed and quality.”
By integrating digital tools from the outset, we can catch potential issues early, produce clear visuals and working drawings for the workshop, and ensure that every piece arrives on set exactly as intended. This approach means designers are confident that their ideas are realised faithfully, while our team maintains speed, accuracy, and quality throughout the build.
From racing-inspired panels to custom furniture, we brought the McLaren suite at Hilton London to life with precision and creativity.
Sam, our Construction Supervisor, keeps projects moving on the workshop floor. He oversees schedules, guides builds through to completion, and makes sure nothing leaves the workshop unless it’s ready to perform under pressure on set.
Over the years, we’ve built a strong base of repeat customers. Designers keep coming back, not just because of the quality of our work, but because of the way we make them feel. We prioritise strong, personal relationships, ensuring that each designer feels like their project is our top priority, whether it’s their first or tenth time working with us.
We’re proud of the trust and loyalty that our clients have placed in us over the years. It’s a reflection of our commitment to both the craft and the people we work with.
Installing the Details – Crew placing faux stonework for Scoop
Meet the Team
Totom’s founder, Tom Overton, started the company with a simple belief: it’s not just about building sets, but building a team. He brought that ethos with him when he left Australia and set up Totom in the UK. What started with a handful of mates and a small workshop has grown into a team of highly skilled professionals dedicated to making every build a success.
As Tom says, “Our job is to make designers look good, and then sit back and accept they’re also going to take most of the credit for what you’ve just done for them. Once you accept that, your job becomes a bit easier. It’s really satisfying if you’ve resolved things well and done them well, and the designers and art departments have had a nice time working with us.”
One of the first hires was Danny, our General Manager, who joined Totom at 17 as an apprentice. Over 20 years later, Danny is still here, leading the day-to-day operations with a calm, collected approach. “I’ve learned a lot from Tom. He taught me how to confidently manage big budgets, and he showed me how to deal with big personalities in the industry,” Danny reflects. “In my early days, managing six-figure budgets was intimidating, but Tom’s calm approach helped me gain confidence. And when it comes to dealing with production designers and their demands, watching Tom navigate those situations taught me a lot.”
Harry keeps projects moving, making sure sets and props reach their location on time.
Rocco is building his skills as a carpentry apprentice, gaining experience on projects from Sidemen sets to TV builds.
We’re also proud to be training the next generation. Rocco joined as a carpentry apprentice and is already gaining valuable experience on projects ranging from Sidemen sets to TV builds. Apprentices like Rocco are part of how we invest in the future of the industry.
Harry supports the team across carpentry, painting, labouring, and transport. Since joining a few years ago from a landscaping job, he has quickly built up a range of practical skills. He enjoys the variety of switching between tasks and also takes care of our vans – Brad Van, Fiona, Daphne, and Big Gary – making sure sets and props reach their location on time.
Ricky, who leads our scenic painting team, specialises in transforming bare surfaces into convincing materials – from marble and stone to timber and aged plaster. His work brings depth and realism to every build, ensuring the designer’s vision is captured in every detail.
Harry, one of our scenic painters, supports this work with specialist treatments that give sets their final character. Whether it’s distressing timber, matching colours, or adding subtle textures, his contributions help spaces feel lived-in and believable on screen.
Collaboration from Every Angle – designers and builders working side by side on The Take
From Apprentice to General Manager – Danny’s early days on Lark Rise to Candleford, where his career in set construction began.
Client Testimonials: What Our Clients Say
At Totom, we don’t just aim to meet expectations; we strive to exceed them. Our clients continue to come back to us because of the trust, quality, and collaboration we bring to every project. Here’s what some of them have had to say:
“Please pass on our thanks to the team for the installation. It has been received incredibly well by the client and is going live this week. The install exceeded expectations and the team were fantastic onsite. Totom will be our first port of call for anything like this moving forward.”
— Jay, Co-Founder of Solarflare Studio
“Your team were fantastic and a pleasure to work with, especially with the strains of such short turn around.”
— Gem, Audemars Piguet Christmas Shop Display
“Thank you very much for all your talent, dedication, and hard work on this project – everyone is very pleased with the beautiful sets we created.”
— Noam, Production Designer
“You always come up trumps. The director wanted the Wolf’s Lair to be magical, and it certainly was. Totom did a beautiful job, delivering it at a restricted cost. David Walliams personally complimented the construction and art department to me on set one day.”
— Brian Sykes, Production Designer, Red Riding Hood
For more client testimonials, please visit our Testimonials page.
Crafting Immersive Worlds – The wolf’s lair from Red Riding Hood, built with scenic detail to match the storybook vision.
The “Totom Family”
We often refer to ourselves as a family. It’s a term we use not just because we’ve been working together for years, but because we genuinely support one another. It’s about trust, respect, and the shared commitment to our craft. Whether we’re solving a last-minute design issue or supporting a colleague in need, we know that we can rely on each other to get the job done.
Our management crew may keep the workshop on track, but it’s the combined effort of carpenters, scenic painters, apprentices, drivers, and many others that brings each build to life. Together, they are the Totom family.
And it’s not just about the current team. Many of our crew members have been with us for decades, and some have even brought their children into the fold. We believe in nurturing talent, providing opportunities for growth, and creating a place where everyone feels valued.
The Totom Family – carpenters, painters, apprentices and managers together in the workshop.
Conclusion
We are proud of our team, and we’re excited to share more about the talented individuals who make Totom what it is. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be diving deeper into the stories, skills, and experiences of our crew. From Tom’s journey to Danny’s leadership, we hope you’ll follow along and get to know the faces behind the builds.
If you want to learn more about what to expect from a Set Construction company like Totom, check out our blog here
Stay tuned for more stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes looks at the people who help us turn ideas into reality.
email us at info@totom.co.uk,
or call on 01494 437 456
by Totom
The scale of a build is best appreciated from above. On the This England set, Tom oversaw the work from high up in the rig, while below, the full expanse of the construction took shape.