Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1533577
M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 2 5 | P E R S P E C T I V E 5 N E W S The 2025 ADG Oscar Panel and Academy Awards B Y D AV I D M O R O N G , E D I T O R The 2025 ADG Oscar panel was held on Saturday, March 1, at the Egyptian Theatre. Moderated 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 onstage were Production Designer Judy Becker and set decorator Patricia Cuccia from The Brutalist, Production Designer Suzie Davies and set decorator Cynthia Sleiter from Conclave, Production Designer Patrice Vermette and set decorator Shane Vieau from Dune: Part Two, Production Designer Craig Lathrop and set decorator Beatrice Brentnerová from Nosferatu, and Production Designer Nathan Crowley and set decorator Lee Sandales from Wicked. In his opening remarks, moderator Thomas Walsh noted the international character of all the nominated films for Production Design, reminding the audience that this is not the first time foreign-made films have dominated the awards. As far back as 1948, British filmmakers swept the Art Direction categories, and even took home the Best Picture award, causing something of an uproar in this American art form. Today, this worldwide production is taken in stride. Walsh noted: "Today's panel represents the first time that all five of our nominated films have been designed and shot in foreign countries. This should come as no surprise, for we had been saying for some time that the profession of Production Design was rapidly evolving into a global enterprise, one no longer dominated by the United States. Well, we have arrived, and these impressive filmmakers are a snapshot of the state of our art and its many facets." On the following day, Sunday, March 2, Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales were awarded the Oscar for Production Design at the 97th Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood for the monumental achievements in reimagining the world of Oz for Wicked. A. MEMBERS OF THE OSCAR PANEL BACKSTAGE BEFORE THE EVENT. BACK ROW L-R: MODERATORS THOMAS WALSH AND JAN PASCALE, NATHAN CROWLEY, SUZIE DAVIES, CYNTHIA SLEITER, SHANE VIEAU. FRONT ROW L-R: LEE SANDALES, PATRICE VERMET TE, JUDY BECKER, PATRICIA CUCCIA,CRAIG LATHROP, BEATRICE BRENTNEROVÀ. B. LEE SANDALES AND NATHAN CROWLEY BACKSTAGE AT THE OSCARS AFTER THEIR WIN FOR WICKED. A B