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4 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 2 4 C O N T R I B U T O R S A L E X N I C E is a Conceptual Ilustrator and Art Director with over 20 years of experience in the film industry. His recent work includes Alien: Romulus, Dune: Prophecy, Mufasa: The Lion King, Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi and John Wick, among others. As a member of the Local 800 Art Directors Guild, Alex collaborates closely with Production Designers and S T E V E S A K L A D is very proud of his career, though it's not the career he anticipated when he graduated from Yale Drama School with a portfolio stuffed with theatrical set and costume designs ready to conquer Broadway. He found work with some of New York's greatest designers straddling theater and film—Tony Walton, Santo Loquasto, Stuart Wurtzel and Patrizia von Brandenstein—who invited Steve to draft on their films. Eventually, drafting led to Art Direction, which led to a Los Angeles move 30 years ago, and soon enough to Production Design. Fast-forward to 2024 and Steve can celebrate his induction into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. But deep down, Steve still craved that theatrical experience. So, it's little wonder his favorite film credits have generally traded in high drama with a touch of musical comedy on the side. Juno was the most stylized and musical of his five pictures for Jason Reitman; Drag Me to Hell was Sam Raimi's return to horror heightened with a touch of Wagner; The Muppets was basically Steve's tribute to his memories of the legendary Palace Theatre. For Lee Daniels, he designed the smash hit Empire, a Shakespearean parable dressed up in the threads of hip-hop, each episode a true musical play. Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar was a candy-colored wonderland with Busby Berkeley extravaganza thrown in, which the LA Film Critics Association awarded Best Production Design of 2021. Most recently, his period picture Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, featured four distinct scenes staged in a theater, from the outdoor Delacorte Theater in Central Park to the Rockettes' kickline at Radio City Music Hall. Bliss! directors to bring their visions to life. Alex is also a "Masterclass" instructor at ArtStation and is an active Board member and instructor at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects. Alex has spoken at various art-focused public events internationally and locally. His specialties include conceptual illustration, Unreal Engine, VAD (Virtual Art Department) for film production, modeling, lighting, shading and CG generalist work. More of his work can be found at www.AlexNice.com PERSPECTIVE – THE JOURNAL OF THE ART DIRECTORS GUILD MARCH APRIL 2024 PERSPECTIVE – THE JOURNAL OF THE ART DIRECTORS GUILD MARCH APRIL 2024 MARCH APRIL 2024 MARCH APRIL 2024 T H E J O U R N A L O F T H E A R T D I R E C T O R S G U I L D T H E J O U R N A L O F T H E A R T D I R E C T O R S G U I L D US $8.00 US $8.00 P E R S P E C T I V E P E R S P E C T I V E PERSPECTIVE – THE JOURNAL OF THE ART DIRECTORS GUILD JULY AUGUST 2024 PERSPECTIVE – THE JOURNAL OF THE ART DIRECTORS GUILD JULY AUGUST 2024 JULY AUGUST 2024 JULY AUGUST 2024 T H E J O U R N A L O F T H E A R T D I R E C T O R S G U I L D T H E J O U R N A L O F T H E A R T D I R E C T O R S G U I L D US $8.00 US $8.00 P E R S P E C T I V E P E R S P E C T I V E SUBSCRIBE TO Rates: $40 per year (6 issues) $60 foreign (incl. Can. & Mex.) $32 student (with current ID) To subscribe, contact: Sandra Howard sandra@adg.org 818 762 9995 Your subscription includes digital access at perspective.adg.org PERSPECTIVE