The collaborative work process between production designers and set decorators will be explored in detail during the third installment of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ series “Evolution or Revolution? Production Design in the 21st Century,” on Monday, May 9, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood.
“Production Design in the 21st Century” will be hosted by set decorator Rosemary Brandenburg (“Unstoppable,” “Public Enemies”), an Academy governor representing the Art Directors Branch. Special guests for part three include production designer Jim Bissell with set decorator Jan Pascale (“Leatherheads,” “Good Night and Good Luck.”), set decorator Lauri Gaffin (“Iron Man,” “The Pursuit of Happyness”), production designer Alex McDowell with set decorator Anne Kuljian (“The Terminal,” “Minority Report”), production designer Jeannine Oppewall with set decorator Leslie Pope (“Seabiscuit,” “Catch Me If You Can”). The session will feature film clips and open discussion between the evening’s special guests and members of the audience.
Details for the final session on May 16 are as follows, with all participants subject to availability:
The Criteria for Good Production Design. Production designers and set decorators discuss what they look for in their peers’ work as hallmarks of great creative design.
Jim Erickson, set decorator (“Watchmen,” “There Will Be Blood”)
Lilly Kilvert, production designer (“Valkyrie,” “The Crucible”)
Alex McDowell, production designer (“Watchmen,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”)
Jeannine Oppewall, production designer (“The Good Shepherd,” “Seabiscuit”)
Victor Zolfo, set decorator (“The Social Network,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”)
Admission for individual evenings, if available, is $10 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. For more information, call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.
About THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies. www.oscars.org
Tarrah Lee Curtis The ACADEMY Contact Tarrah via email
“Ǝvolution” Comes Full Circle At The Chelsea Film Festival
The Chelsea Film Festival, running from October 16th through October 20th, 2024, at Regal Cinemas here in Union Square, is set to host the East Coast premiere of Ǝvolution, a thought-provoking experimental micro-short film that proves big ideas can come in small packages and in perfect circles.
In just 1 minute 16 seconds, this cinematic gem by Award-Winning Director Romina Schwedler, with original music by Argentine Composer Ignacio Montoya Carlotto, explores a cycle as old as time: life leads to progress, progress leads to destruction, and destruction, well, leads back to life. But is this vicious circle unbreakable? Ǝvolution suggests the answer is yes, unless we decide to open our eyes.
Inspired by the overwhelming number of recent events that threaten human existence, Ǝvolution, possibly the shortest film in this 12th edition of the festival, plays out entirely through the symbolism of circles, cleverly illustrating —in the blink of an eye— the repeating patterns of history, and confronting viewers with the uncomfortable truth that our so-called “progress” may, in fact, be guiding us to our own ruin.Premiering at the Regal 14 Union Square, New York City, on October 18, 2024, at 11 a.m., Romina Schwedler's micro-short, featuring Leah Young with cinematography by Alan J. Carmona, will be sure to spark conversations longer than the film itself! Forcing viewers to reconsider the true meaning of evolution, not just as a biological process, but as a reflection of our collective journey as humans.
With a string of festival appearances across the globe, including CineGlobe at CERN (Switzerland/France), Oscar®... Read More