The Art Directors Guild (ADG) announced winners of its 16th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards in nine categories of film, television, commercials and music videos during black-tie ceremonies at the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
The awards took place before an audience of more than 700, including guild members, industry executives, studio heads and press. ADG President Thomas A. Walsh presided over the awards ceremony with Paula Poundstone serving as host for the third consecutive year.
Ben Vereen performed as a special musical guest. Production Designer Tony Walton was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Hall of Fame inductees were Robert Boyle, William Darling, and Alfred Junge.
The team from the HARRY POTTER films, including Executive Producer David Heyman, Producer David Barron; directors Christopher Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newell, and David Yates; creator and author J.K. Rowling; screenwriters Steve Kloves and Michael Goldenberg; production designer Stuart Craig; art director Neil Lamont and set decorator Stephenie McMillan, were honored for Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery.
At the start of the awards ceremony, the ADG debuted two short films, by filmmaker Cindy Peters. The first film provided a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of the 16th annual awards show. The second film “75 Years of Inspirational Design: A Personal Reflection in Eight Chapters” featured Production Designers, Albert Brenner, Terry Marsh, James D. Bissell, Jeannine Oppewall, Rick Carter, Rick Heinrichs, Roy Christopher and Guy Hendrix Dyas. The 16th Annual Art Directors Guild Awards were produced by Production Designers Tom Wilkins and Greg Grande.
Presenters for this year’s awards included Ed Asner, Alexandra Breckenridge (American Horror Story), Miranda Cosgrove (iCarly), James Cromwell (The Artist), Melanie Lynskey (Up In The Air), Penelope Ann Miller (The Artist), Kevin McHale (Glee), Gary Oldman (Tinker, Taillor, Soldier, Spy), Vinessa Shaw (3:10 to Yuma), Max Greenfield (New Girl).
ADG awards recognition always goes to the Production Designer, Art Director, Assistant Art Director and their team of each nominated and winning project.
WINNERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION DESIGN FOR A FEATURE FILM IN 2011
Period Film
HUGO
Production Designer: Dante Ferretti
Fantasy Film
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2
Production Designer: Stuart Craig
Contemporary Film
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Production Designer: Donald Graham Burt
WINNERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION DESIGN IN TELEVISION FOR 2011
One-Hour Single Camera Television Series
BOARDWALK EMPIRE Episode: 21
Production Designer: Bill Groom
Television Movie or Mini-Series
MILDRED PIERCE
Production Designer: Mark Friedberg
Episode of a Half Hour Single-Camera Television Series
MODERN FAMILY Episode: Express Christmas
Production Designer: Richard Berg
Episode of a Multi-Camera, Variety, or Unscripted Series
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Episode: Host Justin Timberlake, And Musical Guest – Lady Gaga
Production Designer: Keith Ian Raywood, Eugene Lee, Leo Yoshimura, N. Joseph De Tullio
Awards, Music, or Game Shows
83rd ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS
Production Designer: Steve Bass
WINNERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION DESIGN FOR COMMERCIALS AND MUSIC VIDEOS FOR 2011
ACTIVISION: CALL OF DUTY Modern Warfare 3
Production Designer: Neil Spisak
Art Director David Utley designed the set and the room décor using over 450,000 crystals, in a multitude of different applications and styles. Sponsors for the 16th Annual ADG awards include: Set and Décor Sponsor ; Platinum sponsors are Warner Bros. Pictures and The Walt Disney Studios. Gold sponsors Fox Studios Production Services, Paramount Pictures, United Talent Agency and Universal Studios Property, Drapery, Sign, Greens, Stage and Mounting Shops; Silver Sponsors include Aztek Inc./On Air Design, Dazian, Fox Searchlight, FX Network, Home Box Office, IATSE Local 729, IATSE Local 829; Montana Artists Agency, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Studio Facilities and WME. Media sponsors are The Hollywood Reporter, Shoot Magazine and Variety. Tarin Wilson of plan A events is the event planner for this year’s ADG awards.
ADG Awards are open only to productions, when made within the U.S., by producers signatory to the IATSE agreement. Foreign entries are acceptable without restrictions.
About the Art Directors Guild
The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) represents nearly 2,000 members who work throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world in film, television and theater as Production Designers, Art Directors, and Assistant Art Directors; Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Illustrators and Matte Artists; Set Designers and Model Makers and Previs Artists. Established in 1937, ADG’s ongoing activities include a Film Society; an annual Awards Banquet, a creative/technology community (5D: The Future of Immersive Design) and Membership Directory; a bimonthly craft magazine (Perspective); and extensive technology-training programs, creative workshops and craft and art exhibitions. The Guild’s Online Directory/Website Resource is at www.adg.org.
