Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1152740
1 6 P E R S P E C T I V E | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9 N E W S The ADG Film Society screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind B Y D A V I D M O R O N G , E D I T O R On Sunday, June 23, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, the Art Directors Guild Film Society presented a tribute to Production Designer Joe Alves with a screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Spielberg's landmark film, a special digitally remastered 4K version of the director's cut of the film was presented to a full house. Ray Bradbury declared Close Encounters of the Third Kind as the greatest science fiction film ever made, and both Mr. Alves and many in the audience remarked how well it holds up forty years later, a tribute to the compelling story and the combination of miniature and digital effects that still look good to viewers now familiar with much more technologically advanced moviemaking. Following the screening, moderator and Film Society co-chair Thomas Walsh broke the news that Alves will be this year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Art Direction at the ADG Awards in February 2020. Walsh notes: "Alves' life story is that of a tenacious survivor and veteran of Hollywood's studio system. A master artist, Set Designer, Illustrator, Art Director, Production Designer, producer and director; his insatiable need for discovery resulted in a unique and inspired life's journey, one rich in achievement." Members who stayed for the post-screening discussion couldn't help but be impressed by his humility, pragmatism and the tremendous accomplishments he shared from his long career. A. POSTER FOR CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. B. PRODUCTION DESIGNER JOE ALVES DURING THE DISCUSSION THAT FOLLOWED THE FILM. C. THE AUDIENCE AT THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE WATCHING THE CLIMAX OF THE FILM. C A B