Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1512164
2 0 P E R S P E C T I V E | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 N E W S 2023 ADG Production Design Initiative Program B Y C O R E Y K A P L A N , T O M WA L S H , C O - C H A I R S , J A C K F I S K , M A R C I A H I N D S , C O M M I T T E E M E M B E R S A The 2023 participants in the Production Designers Initiative (PDI) were selected last May after portfolio reviews of fifty-five applicants and interviews with the twenty-six finalists. Since its start in 2013, the initiative has been extremely successful at introducing a true merit-based diversity into the ADG's creative community. The demand within our professional community for these eager and focused participants remains exceptionally high. The participants are employed and compensated just as any production assistant would be, by the signatory production company that might hire them. The initiative is designed to provide on-the-job mentorship, supervision and training to future Art Directors and Production Designers, providing the participants with real-time workplace experience and exposure to our profession. Along with these work opportunities, they participate in ADG community, education and service activities, such as the annual awards program, Film Society and other endeavors. Applications to the program are accepted once a year in spring, and in addition to a personal statement and letters of recommendation, applicants submit a portfolio of sketches and digital illustrations, physical models, plans and elevations, graphic designs, visual research and images of produced work. Final selection into the program involves an interview with members of the PDI committee. This group of talented designers has had the misfortune of coming into the program just as the industry shut down in successive strikes. Although the production experience that comes with the program has been delayed, we are confident once they can begin joining Art Departments as production picks back up, they will prove their mettle and become valuable additions to our crafts. We encourage all AD branch members to consider these talented participants in the hope that your Art Departments can find a place for them to learn, contribute and grow. If you have an opening for a production assistant, please consider one of them. Contact Laura Kamogawa at the Guild office: 818 762 9995 or laura@adg.org EXAMPLES OF PDI PORTFOLIO MATERIALS. A. CLARA RYU HYUNJEE. INTERIOR KINGS CHAMBER, ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS. ILLUSTRATION. B. WENJIN 'KRIS' XI. FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTION DETAIL FOR THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE. C. ISABELA CAMPILLO. A VERY OLD MAN WITH ENORMOUS WINGS. ANALOG MODEL. B C