Decorating Pages

On this week's episode I speak with Production Designer Laurin Kelsey. Laurin has an interesting story of how she got into designing, she was mentored by a prop master who taught her the day to day of production during high school summers. After attending University of Victoria in Canada, she was then accepted into the elite Set and Costume Design program at the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal. Wanting to travel and taking a chance she moved to Germany to begin her career in TV and film. Starting in the Prop department, Laurin moved over to an assistant art director, art director and now a Production Designer. Working in the world of Mike Flanagan the past few years, her latest project “The Midnight Club” is now on Netflix. The sets of “The Midnight Club '' range from different periods for the scary midnight stories but are set against an old Victorian estate called Brightcliffe Hospice. You can see more of Laurin’s work at her website https://www.laurinkelsey.com (https://www.laurinkelsey.com/)

In this episode I share all the tools Set Decorators and Buyers use to prop, scout and set up the office. From measuring tapes to standing desks I describe what we use everyday to get the sets prepped and ready. In our day to day you could hit 3 prop houses, scout 2 locations and hit the office for a meeting so having the right tools for the job is essential in staying organized and being prepared for the show.Subscribe to Decorating Pages Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decorating-pages-tv-and-film-design/id1387136186), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0CxWTxXRhDD8D8gXcy5CHz?si=S0nUVKToTImm6unW8oPa9A&nd=1), Pandora (https://www.pandora.com/podcast/decorating-pages-tv-and-film-design/PC:32723?part=ug-mobile&corr=89933272&_height=982&_width=1512&_branch_match_id=1044467639335699347&utm_source=User%20Shared&utm_medium=podcastProgram&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL0jMS8kvStRLLCjQy8nMy9YPNQ4q8nFM8wssTbKPz0jNTM8osbW0MFKLL89MKcmwNTQ1NAIA7VQlTz

On this episode I speak with Set Decorator Melissa Licht, the Set Decorator of “Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”. We discuss how recreating the serial killer's apartment, his grandmother's home and especially the victims houses were especially emotionally taxing in researching and dressing. Melissa also Set Decorated the limited series “Hollywood” on Netflix which she was nominated for an Emmy. She has been apart of “How to Get Away with Murder”, The Kids Are Alright”, “Seberg”, and “Ratched”.Subscribe to Decorating Pages Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decorating-pages-tv-and-film-design/id1387136186), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0CxWTxXRhDD8D8gXcy5CHz?si=S0nUVKToTImm6unW8oPa9A&nd=1), Pandora (https://www.pandora.com/podcast/decorating-pages-tv-and-film-design/PC:32723?part=ug-mobile&corr=89933272&_height=982&_width=1512&_branch_match_id=1044467639335699347&utm_source=User%20Shared&utm_medium=podcastProgram&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAA

Today I’m speaking with Production Designer Eve McCarney. Eve started her career as an Art Director in Advertising and after deciding it wasn't for her she followed her path into Production Design. Originally from Philadelphia Eve started working independent projects in Philly, NYC and eventually making the move to Los Angeles. Eve attributes her success to working on projects while continuing to educate herself with classes such as hand drafting and Sketchup and others. Being a horror genre fan, Eve’s current project: “American Horror Stories” is right up her alley. The 10 episode anthology series includes sets that are period, modern day and sci-fi. You can also see her work in the period western film “The Ballad of Lefty Brown” and another horror anthology series on Hulu “Into the Dark”.Subscribe to Decorating Pages Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decorating-pages-tv-and-film-design/id1387136186), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0CxWTxXRhDD8D8gXcy5CHz?si=S0nUVKToTImm6unW8oPa9

In this episode I speak with Production Designer Neil Patel. Neil is currently shooting Showtime’s “Shaka: King of the Zulu Nation” in South Africa and promoting the new series “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” on HBO Max. Neil came off of designing AppleTV+ ‘s 19th century spin on Emily Dickinson’s life story called “Dickinson” to take on “PLL” during covid. We talk about the locations and the builds of “PLL” and how his intriguing design becomes another charter in this horror series. We also talk about the influence of his background in theater design on dozens of Broadway, West End plays, and Operas that have lead him into designing for TV and film. Subscribe to Decorating Pages Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decorating-pages-tv-and-film-design/id1387136186), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0CxWTxXRhDD8D8gXcy5CHz?si=S0nUVKToTImm6unW8oPa9A&nd=1), Pandora (https://www.pandora.com/podcast/decorating-pages-tv-and-film-design/PC:32723?part=ug-mobile&corr=89933272&_h

Check out this episode with Production Designer Joshua Petersen. With his new show "Everything's Trash", on Hulu, he designs an exciting and fresh look of modern day Brooklyn, NY. The show centers around a young female podcaster who is juggling her messy life and her podcasting career. Originally from Oregon, Joshua had a passion for drafting and had a love for film and tv design. Working his way up on projects like "Marriage Story", "Wolf Hour" his other Production Designer credits include "That Damn Michael Che", "Life with Beth" and more. jpetersenfilm.com

In this episode I talk with Costume Designer Kathleen Felix-Hanger. Starting out on the film “Waterworld” as a Costume PA, she quickly learned her trade on the job. Working her way up to costume supervisor on shows like “Judging Amy”, “West Wing” and then becoming Costume Designer on “Dexter”, “VEEP”, and now HBO’s “Hacks”. She is currently nominated for her second Emmy for Outstanding Contemporary Costumes for “Hacks”. She has a beautiful instagram at showing not only the beautiful meals she prepares but also her gorgeous family and a peek into the world of costume design.. Her work is currently on display at FIDM in “The Art of Costume in TV” exhibit running till September.

On this episode I speak with Set Decorator, Jennifer Lukeheart about her career and how she is currently nominated for two Emmy awards. Outstanding Production Design for half hour  for “Hacks” and Outstanding Production Design for One Hour Contemporary “The White Lotus”. Jennifer got her start as a PA on music videos and as she describes was inquisitive and was able to work her way up. She decorated staple music videos of the early 2000’s including videos for Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Gwen Stefani, Shakira and more. Moving into films like “500 days of Summer” and then to scripted TV. Jennifer has Set Decorated the revamp of “Arrested Development”, “The Goldbergs”, “Two Young to Die” and then in the last has had three huge shows with HBO’s “The White Lotus”, “Hacks” and Showtime’s period drama “Gaslit”.

Pat Irwin has been making music in New York City since the late 1970’s. He was a founding member of two bands, 8 Eyed Spy and The Raybeats. In 1989 he joined The B-52s and toured and recorded with the band through 2008. He then transitioned into writing music for film and television and recently composed the score for “Dexter: New Blood” on the Showtime.His other scores include the Netflix series “The Good Cop”, Showtime’s “Nurse Jackie”; HBO’s “”, And many animated series including “Rocko’s Modern Life” (Nickelodeon); “Pepper Ann” (Disney); “Class Of 3000 with OutKast’s Andre 3000” (Cartoon Network.) He has also contributed to the “SpongeBob SquarePants” animated series. Pat currently teaches a seminar in film music composition at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Music Theater Program as well as Music for Film and Television at CUNY, Brooklyn College, Feirstein School of Cinema.

In this episode I speak with Production Designer Eric Schoonover. Eric took over this season on HBO’s ”Barry” in its' third season. Having been the Art Director for the first two seasons and nominated for their work for the show, he talks about taking over, and the show's turn in storytelling. He has previously Production Designed seasons of “Portlandia” and came from non-union work filling many of the positions in the Art Department and Set Dec.

Production Designer Liz Toonkel's new film “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” is a whimsical film about a little shell who lives with his grandmother in an Airbnb and is on a quest to find his family. It is adorable! Liz and her team designed a magical little world for Marcel. Using household items at the scale of the shell and making a home and fanciful little gardener this adorable character. Liz is also the Production Designer of the HBO Max mini series “The Lady and the Dale”. The films’ wonderful use of multimedia storytelling mixed in with recreations of this fascinating life of a conartisit / entrepreneur makes for a must see.

In this episode I speak with Production Designer Laurence Bennet who is best known for his work on his Oscar nominated films “The Artist” and “Crash”. His current project "The Offer" on Paramount Plus, is a monumental effort to pay tribute to one of best films of all time “The Godfather”. This period limited series gives a behind the scenes of the making of this iconic film and shows how we all work to get our passion to the screen. For the past several years he has taught at Escuela Internacionál de Cine y Televisión, in San Antonio de Los Baños, Cuba—the multi-disciplinary film school founded by Gabriel García Márquez. We also touch upon how he designed the pilot of the 19 year running of “Gray’s Anatomy”, working with Robert Redford and how I actually worked with him on a show that was quickly canceled before it even aired ;)

In this episode I describe the process that I take in preparing to get the words to screen. From getting the first call, budgeting, research, crewing and then decorating the sets there are many things that come up in prep. I give an overview of my process and examples from my experiences in starting up shows in TV and films.

In this episode I talk about the films, TV shows, magazines, books and social media that has inspired my path to becoming a Set Decorator and inspire my decorating now. From trips when I was young to Disney World to checking out the latest Instagram accounts, inspiration is everywhere. It's also about what keeps me inspired and keeps me getting up at an ungodly hour to work in this business.

In this episode I speak with Set Decorator William DeBiasio. His story is interesting because it goes to show it’s never too late in life to start in this business. With his desire and drive, coming from a retail background, he started at a prop house, then a set dresser,  continued to buyer and eventually a Set Decorator.  He had long stints on "The West Wing", "Alias", "Chuck", "Melrose Place", "Pretty Little Liars" and more. He currently is on the fifth season of “The Rookie '' which has its  season finale airing this week. WIlliam has extensive knowledge of Hollywood history and behind the scenes stories of some iconic shows and films like “I Love Lucy”, “Hello Dolly”, “My Fair Lady” and more. I never knew he had this talent!

This is part two of my interview with Director of Photography Simon Dennis. We deep dive into dorking out about our love for the film “The Conversation”. He talks about shooting “Peaky Blinders”and “Black Sails”, and the super cool set up he has on set to adjust color, and bring up references. I hope you caught last week's episode with him. We talked about how he got into being a DP, not knowing who Ryan Murphy was, then working together for five years on his project such as “Pose”, “Ratched”, “Hollywood”, ”American Crime Story: Impeachment”. You can watch his latest work "Candy" airing now on Hulu.

In this episode I speak with Director of Photography Simon Dennis. Simon has been working the last 5 years non stop in Ryan Murphy world and making it look stunning. Growing up outside of London, Simon was making films when he was young like a lot of us. He even admits to making his mom be the gaffer. Starting out making shorts, small films, and then springing into the mainstream with ”Dr. Who”, “Peaky Blinders”, “Pose”, “Politician”, “Hollywood”, “ACS: Versace”, ''Ratched". I worked with him on''ACS: Impeachment” and it was a delight. His new project is the limited series “Candy” which will air on May 9th on Hulu.

"Better Call Saul" - In this episode I chat with Set Decorator Ashley Michelle Marsh of "Better Call Saul". Originally from Oklahoma, Ashley Michelle March moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to pursue a career in TV and film as a Set Decorator. Starting as an assistant on the film “Observe and Report”, then coordinating on the TV series like “In Plane Sight” and “The Client List” she moved over to Set Dec Buyer on “Better Call Saul”, “The Night Shift” and “Longmire”. Ashley began decorating and jumped into “Mr. Robot”, “The Girlfriend Experience” and films “El Camino”, “The Ultimate Playlist of Noise''. “Better Call Saul” is airing now and Ashley should be very proud of this final season.

In this episode I speak with Set Decorator Kimberly Leonard. Growing up in Los Angeles, and being inspired by her uncle, Donfeld, a costume designer, Kimberly studied design at Parsons and then hit the ground running on features, “Wheel of Fortune”, “Married with Children”, even working in a prop house till finding the set decoration buyer position. Kimberly mastered the position on shows like “Star Trek: Voyager”, "Star Trek: Enterprise’, “Boston Legal”, “Bones”, “Weeds” and more. Kimberly started Set Decorating on the Robin Williams comedy “The Crazy Ones”. Her Set Decorating credits include “Jane the Virgin”, “The Grinder”, “Blindspotting”, ”Counterpart”, “The Mosquito Coast”, and just recently Hulu’s “The Dropout”.

This is part two of my interview with Production Designer Marek Dobrowolski. His new film that has just been released is “I’ll find you” about A Catholic opera singer and Jewish violin virtuoso dream of performing together at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City, but the German invasion of Poland tears them apart. Shooting the whole film in his native Poland Marek was able to select historically accurate locations for scenes and give the film its period feel. We also talk about his start as a theater designer which led to a series of nine fairy tale TV movies in a year! We speak about his designs on “Mr. Mercedes”, “Last Action Hero”, “Under the Dome”, “Hitler: Rise of Evil” which he won an Emmy for his designs and more. He is also designing the last season of “The Walking Dead” which was in last week's episode.