The Art Directors Guild (ADG) Film Society and American Cinematheque will present a special screening of George Clooney’s directorial debut CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND (2002) on Sunday, July 26 at 5:30 PM at Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre, followed by a conversation with the film’s production designer James D. Bissell. Based on the “unauthorized autobiography” of flamboyant game show producer Chuck Barris, the film's production design is noted for its "neo-hallucinogenic" color palette, as well as a number of mind-bending pre-CGI cinematic techniques. Production designer John Muto (Home Alone) will moderate the final screening of ADG's Film Series, “Confessions of a Production Designer,” sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter.
“Confessions was well ahead of its time when released and is long overdue for consideration as a visual masterpiece," said moderator John Muto. “Employing a brilliant, almost psychedelic color palette, and mixing both classic and state-of-the-art cinematic techniques, Bissell created a remarkable look that perfectly creates the right world for such a unique story. I look forward to our conversation following the screening, in which Jim will articulate the design process by which he created such an experience.”
Bissell was presented the 2015 ADG Lifetime Achievement Award by George Clooney at the year's awards ceremony. Bissell’s work includes Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011) as well as E.T. (1982), Jumanji (1995) and 300 (2006). A subsequent collaboration with Clooney on Good Night and Good Luck (2005) earned Bissell an Academy Award® nomination.
Since 2007, the Art Directors Guild (ADG) Film Society and the American Cinematheque have hosted a series of monthly screenings spotlighting remarkable achievements in film design and the production designers and art directors responsible. Alternating between the historic Egyptian and Aero theatres, screenings are followed by panel discussions with both industry professionals and experts from related fields. The 2015 series has included Sotto, Sotto (1984), An American in Paris (1951) and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).
Representing the ADG are Film Society Co-Chairs and production designers John Muto, Thomas A. Walsh and John Iacovelli. Debbie Patton is ADG Manager, Awards and Events. Working with them are the American Cinematheque’s Gwen Deglise, Margot Gerber and Grant Moninger.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or on American Cinematheque's website. For Information about the 2015 ADG Film Series, click here.
About THE FILM
Adapted by Charlie Kaufman from Chuck Barris’ “unauthorized autobiography,” CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND stars George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore and Sam Rockwell. Barris, at the height of his career as a successful television game show producer (The Dating Game and The Gong Show), is approached by a shadowy operative who recruits him as a CIA operative and contract killer. Seduced by the glamour, excitement and danger of both worlds, Barris’ double life soon spirals out of control. The film's unique visual treatment by Bissell brilliantly portrays the possibly unhinged mental state of the narrator and "hero" of the wild story.
About ART DIRECTORS GUILD:
The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) represents 2,300 members who work throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world in film, television and theater as Production Designers; Art Directors; Assistant Art Directors; Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Illustrators and Matte Artists; Set Designers and Model Makers; and Previs Artists. Established in 1937, the ADG's ongoing activities include a Film Society, an annual Awards Banquet (#ADGawards), a creative/technology community (5D: The Future of Immersive Design), 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.
