'Lucky Them' Set Dressing - Before and After

Here's an example of 'Before and After' shots, showing what the Art Department does to a location. Our job is to make an environment that tells the story. And that allows the actor to inhabit the character in a believable way. Sometimes we find a location that doesn't require a lot of changes. Other times it's more of a blank slate. 

Here is a shot of the place that would become Ellie's (Toni Collette's) desk at the offices of (fictional) Stax Magazine:

   And here's the same spot, after Set Dressing:

Here's a shot of the empty space that would become her apartment:

And here's the same room, during Set Dressing:

Petra's work on 'Lucky Them'

My daughter Petra (12) helped out in the Art Department for Lucky Them. 
In the story, there is a character who is a musician that disappeared at the height of his fame. We visit his childhood bedroom, where I imagined he had surrounded himself with pictures of his heroes. Petra and I drew a bunch of portraits of musicians, and hung them all around this abandoned bedroom. She did a great job, and her portraits (of Patti Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Robert Johnson, Joan Jett, Chrissy Hynde, etc) made the scene. When the movie comes out, look for her name in the credits!

LUCKY THEM

Here are some photos from the production of 'Lucky Them'

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LUCKY ME

This winter I worked as Production Designer for a film called 'Lucky Them'. It was a Megan Griffiths film,  with Toni Collette and Thomas Haden Church starring. It was a great project, and a lot of fun. I worked with a terrific crew, and had an excellent Art Department. Here they are:
I'm on the left.  Then Kari Lefevre (Props); Jenn Godwin (intern) poking her head in; Behind her is Jeff Crow (Swing); Erin O Kay (On Set Dresser) in the orange sweater, Tania Kupczak (Art Director) up front, and Aaron Fink (Driver, Art Assist) on the right. 
An excellent crew, that made an ambitious shoot into a smooth-running pleasure.

SUGAR MOUNTAIN PAINTING

Kurt Dammeier, the Big Cheese at Beecher's, just commissioned a new painting.  He just purchased and built out an amazing space above the Beecher's flagship store in the Pike Place Market. It's a gorgeous space with a 180-degree view of the Market below, and Elliot Bay beyond. I made a painting of a Seattle urban landscape for the place, which will be rented out by the Inn at the Market.  I feel very lucky to have been asked to be a part of the coolest space in town.

ACME ART DEPARTMENT

I have to do some serious catching up. If I'm not posting anything to the blog, it's probably because I'm busy. Here's a little something that I just did with Michael Clinard for Adweek. I made the Loony Toons props. Seriously -- if you haven't already, you should check out this guy's work. 

TOUCHY FEELY IS GOING TO SUNDANCE!

TOUCHY FEELY is in competition at the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL! Lynn Shelton's new feature, which was shot in April in Seattle, is among 16 films in competition, and will Premier at the 2012 Festival. I was the Production Designer. Carrie was the Costume Designer. We're very proud to have been a part of the film, which features Rosemarie Dewitt, Ellen Page, Josh Pais, Scoot McNairy, and Allison Janney. Good Luck 'Touchy Feely'!

THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE

Typical day at the office....

I was recently asked by David Clugston (you remember him: DNA blocks, giant cardboard rose) to help gift-wrap some farm animals for a shoot. We cornered a chicken, struggled with a piglet, and had the greatest success with this cooperative little goat. I believe it was advertising for a charity that sponsors the purchase of farm animals, but sometimes it seems better not to ask too many questions.

DISTRICT

Here are more shots from the Look Book, shot by Juco. Hand painted backgrounds! Giant Forks & Hamburgers! sculpted dogs! Huge 3D Zippers! This was my kind of gig.

BIGFOOT

In October, I put together a set for the Discovery Channel's 'Finding Bigfoot' show. (Spoiler alert -- I think they're still looking.) We shot at a beautiful space, in a barn near Lake Tapps, by Tacoma.

NORDSTROM ART

I was honored to be asked to create some artwork for Nordstrom Photography SoDo Studios.I've been doing work for Nordstrom for years, and really like those guys. When they opened their new studio in SoDo, they asked me to make some work for the entry. I put together a bunch of new paintings and sculptural pieces, and made an installation across a 40-foot wall that included the 'SoDo' letters, which were already there. The work was installed in November.

EDDIE BAUER MODERN

A while back, I designed and built a modern set for Eddie Bauer, at Iridio Studios. It involved jatoba paneling, stucco walls, faux-jatoba window framing, a walnut floor, and a faux-stone fireplace. It was a beautiful set. I had help on the build from Kevin Seal, Kevin Cook, and Kari Lefevre. Here are a couple of shots from the set.

PAGE and ME in ADWEEK

Brought my son Page along with me to assist at a Michael Clinard shoot for Adweek magazine. Next thing you know, we're both in it. Page is the checker. I'm in the vest. Clinard's a lot of fun to work with. We had a great time.

Here's another picture of the two of us from the night.

Adweek cover

Working with Michael Clinard again, we put together a cover photo for Adweek Magazine. Those are all my hands.

Nearly Featured Artwork!

Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler's fabulous Shelter Island pad is featured in this month's Architectural Digest. If you hold your head at a certain angle, and squint your eyes, you can see a painting of mine way, way, in the background. There it is! Way back there. The blue pirate! yay! Thanks, Jonathan and Simon!