Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1533577
The Whiz Kids' Competition One of the film's big third act set pieces is a Whiz Kids' competition during which the world at large discovers Melody's true intellect and genius. This set was designed and built from scratch in a large functioning theater. Thematically, because Melody loves spending time at her neighbor's house, Mrs. V (played by Judith Light), I used the same color palette for the Whiz Kids' set as I had used in her house. It took several attempts for the Art Department to perfect a podium which would accommodate Melody's wheelchair, and still highlight her physical actions during the competition. The special effects and construction teams, as well as the Art Department, collaborated on creating practical buzzer-buttons for the young contestants. Lead actress Phoebe rehearsed her movements using the buzzer so that they would appear seamless during the scene. I also loved the opportunity to extend the set, with its colorful painted flats and intricate CNC'd nooks, by painting intricate patterns on the floor. It was a last-minute choice that I feel really paid off. The cherry on the cake was the moment I watched our lead actress Phoebe enter the Whiz Kids' set, which she was seeing finished for the very first time, on camera! Her wonder and amazement were truly magical, and deeply touching for me. Seeing firsthand how our young actress embodied this modern-day Disney princess, experiencing the heightened reality of being the smartest and most proficient member of the Whiz Kids' team was utterly joyful, emotional and poignant. It will stay with me and hopefully with the audiences of Out of My Mind. In the end, what I am most proud of is that Out of My Mind is a thoroughly fun, entertaining and deeply emotional film without ever being preachy or overly sentimental. Making this film was incredibly enriching on a personal level and will no doubt inform how I design films from here on out. ADG Michael Fitzgerald, Production Designer Thalia Stefaniuk, Art Director Emily Tam, Assistant Art Director Chris Penna, Set Designer Heather Carlson, Genevieve Long, Jordan Sonenberg, Graphic Designers Dylan Rev, Motion Graphics Designer Evan Davies, Set Decorator C D F E