Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1521244
1 4 P E R S P E C T I V E | M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 4 N E W S The 2024 Oscar Panel and Academy Awards B Y D AV I D M O R O N G , E D I T O R The 2024 ADG Oscar panel was held on Saturday, March 9, at the Egyptian Theatre. Hosted by Production Designer Thomas Walsh and set decorator Jan Pascale, designers from all five nominated productions were present to discuss their work and describe the professional journey that brought them to this point. Joining the hosts on stage were Production Designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer from Barbie, Production Designer Jack Fisk and set decorator Adam Willis from Killers of the Flower Moon, Production Designer Arthur Max and Set Decorator Elli Griff from Napoleon, Production Designer Ruth de Jong and set decorator Claire Kaufman from Oppenheimer, and Production Designers James Price and Shona Heath from Poor Things. In his opening remarks, ADG President Nelson Coates noted that the future of design in the film industry is at an inflection point with the advent of generative AI (artificial intelligence) tools, and noted the achievements of these design teams represent an ideal, the work of real people telling stories using their individual talents and insights. Host Jean Pascale began by recognizing a common thread among these varied films is the director's desire to create as much of the world in-camera as possible, and the creation of these tangible worlds was a hallmark of all these efforts. Tom Walsh then introduced the event by reading his short essay on The Enigma of Art Direction, which ended with the following lines: "The in-camera worlds that we create still elicit the best performances from the actors. But whether these new worlds are tactile or digital, their conception and realization must remain the provenance of the Production Designers. Otherwise, we will only see our roles further diminished to that of being researchers and midwives, providing concepts that post-production and the producers will realize without our consultation or supervision. "No successful motion picture has ever been made by accident, they are designed to be exceptional, and it is our efforts that elevate the performance, that the camera captures and the audience experiences. The creative concepts, excellent solutions, and adept leadership contributed by designers and their collaborators contribute immensely to the critical success of motion pictures, generating record attendance and sizable profits for their producers and studios. A. THE PANELISTS ON STAGE AT THE EGYPTAIN THEATRE. A