Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/619377
72 P E R S P E C T I V E | J A N UA RY / F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 6 Above: The Delphi Gym, a strip mall location in Philadelphia standing in for Los Angeles, where Apollo Creed trained. A raw space in a small lot with a Circle K and PetSmart on either side was found and the Delphi was a head-to- toe transformation, taking inspiration from Freddie Roach's West Coast Gym. Right: A layout of the Delphi Gym in SketchUp ® by Assistant Art Director Duncan Smith includes location photographs for reference. © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Warner Bros. – Production photographs by Barry Wetcher Shadow Boxing by Hannah Beachler, Production Designer September 2014 – A text from my friend, director Ryan Coogler, whom I worked with on Fruitvale Station: "I'm in Liverpool, scouting locations for Creed. Let's get you on this film." The next thing I know, I'm on a plane to Los Angeles from New Orleans to meet with producers Irwin Winkler, David Winkler, Kevin King Templeton, William Chartoff, Coogler and Nicolas Stern. We talked about the film and my ideas for about an hour and, just as quickly as I got there, I was headed back to New Orleans. Two days later, it was official. Truly excited and maybe a bit overwhelmed, I knew I needed a great team, so I immediately called Art Director Jesse Rosenthal whom I met in Cincinnati, OH, when he was working on Carol. He was the Art Director on Rocky Balboa (2006, designed by Franco-Giacomo Carbone). I knew Jesse's aesthetic and personality would fit perfectly on this project. Creed is the story of Apollo Creed's son, Adonis (played by Michael B. Jordan), who was born after his father died in Rocky IV. The narrative follows Adonis as he tries to start his boxing career, but under the shadow of his champion father, he finds it increasingly harder to overcome Apollo's tragic death—no one wants to see the same fate follow Adonis. He leaves his life in Los Angeles to seek out his father's friend and opponent Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) in Philadelphia, PA, hoping the retired champ will train him the same way he trained his father.