The Art Directors Guild (ADG) Film Society and the American Cinematheque are co-hosting the annual 2016 Screening Series Production Design: Looking at Nothing, Seeing Everything highlighting the work of renowned Production Designers and their creative collaborations. The monthly series will run from April through July, and the screenings will alternate between the American Cinematheque's Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the Egyptian (6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood) and the Max Palevsky Theatre at the Aero (1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica) with all screenings starting at 5:30 pm. The screening series is sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter.It is the Production Designer who reads the script and lets his or her imagination run-free, looking at nothing and seeing everything, all the possibilities, said legendary Storyboard Artist and Production Designer, Harold Michelson. In consultation with the Director and in even closer collaboration with their Cinematographer, Set Decorator and Costume Designer, the Production Designer creates the foundations that the narrative story's visual aspirations and realities are built upon. Moderating the screenings are Production Designers John Muto, John Iacovelli and Thomas A. Walsh.
The 2016 Art Directors Guild/American Cinematheque Screening Series schedule is as follows:
GUYS AND DOLLS (1955): A TRIBUTE TO OLIVER SMITH AND THE HOLLYWOOD MUSICAL with selections from THE BAND WAGON, OKLAHOMA, PORGY AND BESS
Sunday, April 17 at the Aero Theatre
Oliver Smith was one of the most prolific and imaginative designers in the history of American theater. His designs include screen adaptations of The Sound of Music as well as The Band Wagon , Porgy and Bess in addition to such Broadway hits as Brigadoon, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Camelot and Hello, Dolly!. A panel of designers trained by Smith include Production Designers JEFFREY BEECROFT , Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)), HOWARD CUMMINGS , Behind the Candelabra (2013)), MAYNE BERKE , S.W.A.T. (2003)) and KALINA IVANOV , The Silence of the Lambs ) and will discuss his legacy. Moderating the discussion will be Emmy -winning Production Designer JOHN IACOVELLI, himself a student of Smith.
THE BELOVED ROGUE (1927) Silent Movie
A TRIBUTE TO THE FIRST PRODUCTION DESIGNER WILLIAM CAMERON MENZIES
Sunday, May 22 at the Egyptian Theatre
The young William Cameron Menzies was likely the most celebrated Art Director in silent motion pictures for his work on such extraordinary films as The Thief of Bagdad (1924). He won the first-ever Oscar for Art Direction for The Dove (1927). In 1936 he was the Director of the landmark sci-fi epic, Things To Come. Then, in 1939, he took a step forward in film visualization so profound that an entirely new term had to be coined: Production Designer. For previsualizing and supervising the entire look of Gone With The Wind (1939), Menzies received the first-ever Academy Award for Production Design. The Beloved Rogue (1927), based on the life of poet Francois Villon, is set in Menzies fantastic vision of 15th century Paris. Star John Barrymore described Villon as a poet, pickpocket, patriot -- loving France earnestly, French women excessively, and French wine exclusively. The panel will feature acclaimed film historian and biographer JAMES CURTIS, author of William Cameron Menzies: The Shape of Films to Come. Curtis' other works include biographies of Spencer Tracy, W. C. Fields, James Whale, and Preston Sturges. Moderating the discussion will be Production Designer JOHN MUTO.
ON THE WATERFRONT (1954) AND DESIGNERS ON FILM: THE FILM THAT INSPIRED ME TO BECOME A DESIGNER - A CONVERSATION WITH PRODUCTION DESIGNER WYNN THOMAS AND A TRIBUTE TO ART DIRECTOR RICHARD DAY Sunday, June 26 at the Aero Theatre
Celebrated Production Designer WYNN THOMAS has chosen to screen the film classic On the Waterfront (1954), Art Directed by Richard Day, whose other memorable films include Exodus and Force of Evil (1948). Thomas describes his experience viewing Waterfront as a young man as the inspiration that led him to pursue filmmaking as an art, a passion, and a profession. Thomas debut as Production Designer was Shes Gotta Have It (1986), which was also Director Spike Lees first feature film. They continued to collaborate on such noteworthy pictures as Do the Right Thing , and Inside Man (2006). Wynn has gone on to design an eclectic and unpredictable filmography including Mars Attacks and Cinderella Man (2005). In conversation with Mr. Thomas will be Production Designer JOHN MUTO.
HAROLD AND LILLIAN: A HOLLYWOOD LOVE STORY
THE HOLLYWOOD PREMIERE AND A TRIBUTE TO HAROLD AND LILLIAN MICHELSON Sunday, July 31 at the Egyptian Theatre
Having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's Cannes Classics, this new documentary by Academy Award-nominated director Daniel Raim and Executive Producer Danny DeVito is a funny and moving true story about the romantic and creative partnership of Storyboard Artist and Production Designer Harold Michelson and his wife, film researcher Lillian Michelson - a talented couple once considered the heart of Hollywood. Their love for their profession and each other inspired many while leaving a rich and enduring legacy to all who dream of translating stories into visual realities including The Ten Commandments (1956), The Apartment , The Birds (1963), The Graduate (1967), Rosemary's Baby (1968), Fiddler On The Roof (1971), Star Trek: The Motion Picture and more. Moderating this discussion with Director DANIEL RAIM and LILLIAN MICHELSON will be Production Designer THOMAS A. WALSH.
Representing the ADG is Debbie Patton, ADG Manager, Awards and Events. Working with Patton are the American Cinematheque's Gwen Deglise, Margot Gerber and Grant Moninger.
General admission: $11. American Cinematheque members: $7. Students/Seniors with
