The Making of ‘Train Dreams’: Alexandra Schaller’s Innovative Production Design
'Train Dreams' production designer Alexandra Schaller on shaping a world that appears untouched by time and making “invisible” production design.
‘The Lowdown’ Production Designer Brandon Tonner-Connolly on Building Tulsa’s Dust Bowl Noir
Production designer Brandon Tonner-Connolly explains how The Lowdown captures Tulsa’s heat, texture, and history through meticulous design. From hand-selecting 5,000 books for Hoot Owl Books to collaborating with local artists on murals, Tonner-Connolly brings Sterlin Harjo’s Dust Bowl noir to life with authenticity and community at its core.
‘Hedda’ Production Designer Cara Brower on Building a House of Secrets
Production Designer Cara Brower discusses location scouting, collaborating with Nia DaCosta, and crafting the moody, mid-century interiors in "Hedda".
Designing ‘Chief of War’: Jean-François Campeau Brings Hawaiian History to Life in Jason Momoa Epic
Production designer Jean-François Campeau brings Hawai‘i’s past to life in Apple TV+’s “Chief of War.” Collaborating with Jason Momoa and a predominantly Polynesian cast, Campeau blends cultural authenticity with cinematic scale, constructing temples, canoes, and landscapes that honor Hawaiian craftsmanship while capturing the epic scope of the islands’ unification.
Emmy-Nominated Designer Kalina Ivanov on Building Gotham for HBO’s ‘The Penguin’
Emmy-winning production designer Kalina Ivanov brings a new vision of Gotham to HBO’s "The Penguin," the most nominated show in HBO Max history with 24 Emmy nods. From Crown Point to Arkham, Ivanov’s designs shape the series’ gritty identity and earned her a nomination for Outstanding Production Design.
Rob Tokarz on Emmy-Nominated Production Design for ‘Hacks’ Season 4
Emmy-nominated production designer Rob Tokarz discusses his journey on 'Hacks,' the challenges of season 4, and the resilience of his design team. Tokarz shares his nomination for Outstanding Production Design... Read More...
SNL50: Director Liz Patrick and Production Designer Keith Raywood on Live TV Chaos, Creative Legacy, and Family Vibes
'SNL' director Liz Patrick and production designer Keith Raywood discuss 'SNL50,' fast-paced production, and the close-knit family behind the scenes.
“The 50th anniversary special—as a fan, growing up watch... Read More...
The Visual Architects of ‘Squid Game’: Chae Kyoung-sun, Nam Na-young, and Kim Ji-yong on Season 2’s Expanding Scope
Few television series have reshaped the cultural zeitgeist as dramatically as Netflix's "Squid Game." Much of that impact can be credited not only to creator Hwang Dong-hyuk but also to the work of production designer Chae Kyoung-sun, editor Nam Na-young, and cinematographer Kim Ji-yong. In conversations with Awards Focus, all three artisans shared insights into their creative contributions to Season 2
Inside the One-Shot World of ‘Adolescence’: Production Designer Adam Tomlinson Breaks It Down
Adam Tomlinson, the Production Designer for the hit show "Adolescence" spoke with Awards Focus about designing for the oner format, navigating technical hurdles, and why sometimes the best production design is the kind you don’t notice until it hits you in the gut.
Inside the Sets of “Black Mirror”: Miranda Jones Breaks Down Her Work on Season 7
Season 7 of Netflix’s “Black Mirror” continues to explore the unsettling intersections of technology and human nature, delivering a collection of episodes that challenge perceptions and provoke thought. The intricate and immersive sets of both episodes are the work of veteran production designer Miranda Jones. Miranda Jones spoke with Awards Focus about crafting two of the season’s most visually ambitious episodes, the balance between genre homage and grounded storytelling, and how thoughtful design can support both performance and narrative.