Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/765720
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 7 13 contributors MICHAEL CORENBLITH always imagined a career in architecture, and while studying at the University of Texas, made a short film as a way to explore a spatial question. Smitten by the filmmaking process, he reimagined his architectural ambitions, and graduated with a degree in film. A lecture by Production Designer Richard Sylbert led Mr. Corenblith to understand the ways that design can work as metaphor and reach beyond the surface of the screenplay. After working in public television in Austin, he moved to Los Angeles with the intention of becoming a lighting designer for television, but soon graduated to Set Designer work in the Universal drafting room. He earned an Emmy ® in 1983, and later, received Oscar ® nominations for Apollo 13 and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, winning the BAFTA Award for the former. He also has ADG nominations for his work on The Grinch, Frost/Nixon, Saving Mr. Banks and HBO's Game Change. A native of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, TOM DUFFIELD attended California State Polytechnic University's School of Architecture in San Luis Obispo, CA, graduating with honors. He soon discovered that film design and Art Direction were personally more rewarding, having been introduced to the entertainment business as a tour guide in the early days of the Universal Studios tour. Making his way up through the Art Department ranks on classic films like Blade Runner, he teamed up with Production Designer Bo Welch 1986. As Art Director, Mr. Duffield collaborated with Mr. Welch on fifteen films, three of which, A Little Princess, Men in Black and The Birdcage, were nominated for Academy Awards ® in Art Direction. Mr. Duffield's first film as Production Designer was Tim Burton's Ed Wood, where he developed a touch for the fine art of black & white filmmaking. The 27-year Academy member resides in his Eichler house in Southern California, and spends a lot of time with his family in St. Louis and Aspen. GARY FRUTKOFF's learn-while-you-earn diploma includes cartooning, glass etching, graphic design, illustration, portrait painting, and residential design and construction—all integral components for designing films and television. He resided in Marin County, CA, at the time when George Lucas and Francis Coppola came to prominence, and his initial position was Conceptual Designer on Walter Murch's directorial debut, Return to Oz. A short time after moving south to Los Angeles, Mr. Frutkoff met Steven Soderbergh and collaborated with him on such features as King of the Hill, Out of Sight and The Limey. Other notable projects include Devil in a Blue Dress, Zero Effect and currently, the television series This Is Us. Besides Mr. Soderbergh, Mr. Frutkoff has worked with such diverse directors as Salim Akil, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Carl Franklin, Jake Kasdan, Jerry Zucker, Marty Brest and Brett Ratner. GUY HENDRIX DYAS received a bachelor's degree from the Chelsea School of Art and a master's from the Royal College of Art. He began his career in Tokyo working as an industrial designer for Sony under the supervision of the company's legendary founder Akio Morita. During that time, an exhibition of his personal work led to an invitation from Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) to join their team in California, where he began his film career as a visual effects Art Director on Twister. Mr. Dyas developed his skills as a concept artist for many years before his first Production Design assignment X2: X-Men United. Mr. Dyas' other credits include Terry Gilliam's whimsical fantasy The Brothers Grimm, Superman Returns, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Agora, Inception, Black Hat, Steve Jobs, and he is currently working on The Nutcracker for Lasse Hallström. Dyas lives in California with his wife and two daughters and a fox terrier called Basil. Born in Los Angeles, DAVID GROPMAN received his BA from San Francisco State University and MFA from the Yale School of Drama in stage design. His Broadway and off-Broadway credits include The 1940's Radio Hour, Mass Appeal, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, True West and Buried Child, as well as the world premiere of the Leonard Bernstein opera A Quiet Place, several pieces for the Paul Taylor Dance Company, and projects for regional theaters across the country. In 1982, he designed Robert Altman's Broadway directorial debut, Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. When Mr. Altman asked him to design the film version, he began his career as a Production Designer. Mr. Gropman is an Academy Award ® nominee for The Cider House Rules and The Life of Pi, a Satellite Award nominee for Adam Shankman's blockbuster musical Hairspray, and a double Art Directors Guild Award winner for Chocolat and The Life of Pi.