By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --From "Grey's Anatomy" to "Bridgerton," television producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers have strived to work with costume designers to visually create appealing wardrobes to help tell their character's story.
Now, both women will be recognized for their successful collaborative efforts at the Costume Designers Guild Awards.
The guild announced Monday that Rhimes and Beers will be honored with the Distinguished Collaborator Award. The award will be presented by "Bridgerton" actor Nicola Coughlan during the 23rd annual ceremony, which will take place Tuesday on Twitter.
Rhimes and Beers both gave credit to the costume designers who have worked with them. The award honors individuals who demonstrate support of costume design and creative partnerships with designers.
"This feels more like a giant compliment to the costume designers that we've gotten to work with over the years," said Rhimes, founder of television production company, Shondaland. She said several costume designers helped her understand the different nuances of fashion.
"I was somebody who started off my career at 'Grey's Anatomy' wearing pajama paints, sweats and the same red T-shirt to work every day," she continued. "I had no fashion sense whatsoever. I find it fascinating that I knew nothing about clothes, but costumes designers taught me about fashion and how the details can tell a story."
Beers said costume design has been a huge focus on their projects, because she says a character's wardrobe draws the most scrutiny.
"Costume design is one of the few areas in our business that everybody has an opinion about," said Beers, who has worked alongside Rhimes on other hits shows including "Scandal," "How to Get Away with Murder" and "Private Practice." The women have been longtime producing partners since 2002.
"It's the ability to take into consideration so many points of view while at the same time finding ways to innovate and create trends and create looks," she said. "It's getting the world to get onboard with a different style of dressing."
Past award recipients include Meryl Streep, Quentin Tarantino, Judd Apatow, Clint Eastwood and Guillermo Del Toro.
Guild president Salvador Perez said the Rhimes-Beers duo has created "cultural-defining TV moments" with the support of their collaborators and costume designers.
"They are originals; fierce, brilliant women who create rich worlds, characters and stories that enhance our lives," said Emmy-winning costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, who worked as a costume designer on "Bridgerton." "It's truly been a gift collaborating with them."
Lyn Paolo, an Emmy-winning costume designer, called both women innovative collaborators.
"Every new world that they present is a lush landscape in which I have room to create beautiful pictures, a world where the clothes can help to tell a small part of the story," said Paolo, who worked with them on "Scandal" and "How to Get Away with Murder." "I love that those landscapes include diversity, challenge norms, and allow for strong female leads."
Rhimes and Beers said they feel humbled and encouraged by the praise to better themselves.
"We're constantly trying to improve," Beers said. "I don't think we ever take it for granted and that we can do better in every step of the way. That's what keeps us going. And that's what keeps making it fun. It keeps your creative mind working."
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More