One of the more under appreciated roles in moviemaking is that of the set decorator. Sure, for spectacle blockbuster movies we might pay more attention to the fictional world, but what about the subtle nuances that go into to creating an immersive grounded space with character?The extremely talented Production Designer Olivia Peebles knows all about that. Peebles got her early introduction working in the film industry working as a prop master on small projects like Adult Swim's Delocated, working her way up to Set Decorating Oppenheimer, to working in the art department and building a town from the ground up in Killers of the Flower Moon, and finally, most recently, working as Production Designer for harrowing Sundance drama Exhibiting Forgiveness. For Exhibiting Forgiveness in particular, Peebles talks about her particular attention and detail that goes into characterizing the space around the film's characters to further express who they are. Below, read Peebles thoughtful, intricate breakdown of the inner workings of an Art Department from her prolific experience. I mean, 2023's Oscar-nominated front runners and a critically well received Sundance film in the same year? Olivia Peebles is just getting started, folks. The following interview with Olivia Peebles is edited for clarity and readability. Getting Started In (and Understanding) an Art Department"I started in the business having no idea what production design was or that the film industry was even a 'business'. So I sort of learned by trial and error. I had started, I found a day job essentially with...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Friday, 18 October