Last night in Hollywood the Art Directors Guild’s held the 21st Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards. The ADG and IATSE Local 800 announced winners in 11 categories of film, television, commercials and music videos during a black-tie ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland. Hosted by Patton Oswaldm “,” “La La Land,” and “Passengers” won the top feature film awards at Saturday’s Art Directors Guild Awards in Los Angeles.
On a local note, Centerville native and Wright State University graduate Hannah Beachler topped the Awards or Event Special category for Beyoncé’s conceptual music video album Lemonade. In her
(L-R) Actor Will Forte, Production Designer Hannah Beachler, and Actress Kristen Schaal celebrate at the 21st Annual Art Directors Guild Excellence In Production Design Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 11, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mathew Imaging/WireImage)
acceptance remarks, Beachler said of Lemonade, “I am so honored to be recognized for this unique project. I loved designing for a strong woman of color [Beyoncé] on such a bold, original artistic expression.”
Lemonade’s storyline centers on the protagonist’s journey from alienation to forgiveness after a partner’s betrayal. Beachler observed that “the biggest challenge creatively was giving the 18th century plantations a modern language. For me, it was about reaching back into a time period that was not a place that holds fondness for African Americans. We wanted to flip it on its head, make it a place of knowledge and peace, which was also the best part about it.”
As for how she got the opportunity to work with Beyoncé on the project, Beachler said, “I worked on a couple commercials in Los Angeles with DP Chayse Irvin and when they decided to come to New Orleans, he threw my name out. Kahlil Joseph, the director, gave me a call (they did not mention who it was for) and we talked a bit about the project and I was curious and intrigued, so I signed on. It wasn’t until I started working that I learned exactly what the project was and who it was with. It was certainly a nice surpris
e.”
Beachler has served as a production designer on director Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station, Creed and the upcoming Black Panther. She also handled production design for Miles Ahead, the biopic on jazz great Miles Davis starring, directed and written by Don Cheadle filmed here in Ohio and was the Production Designer for Moonlight and will be in town this weekend to talk about her experiences on the Oscar nominated film.
MOONLIGHT with Special Guest Hannah Beachler!
Sunday, Feb. 19 at Noon at The Neon
Ms. Beachler will be in town this coming Sunday and will be present at an encore screening of the incredible film MOONLIGHT featuring a special talk-back with the film’s production designer. Hosted by Dr. W. Stuart McDowell, Wright State University Dept. of Theatre, Dance & Motion Pictures.
“A timeless story of human connection and self-discovery, Moonlight chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami. At once a vital portrait of contemporary African American life and an intensely personal and poetic meditation on identity, family, friendship, and love, Moonlight is a groundbreaking piece of cinema that reverberates with deep compassion and universal truths.”
Tickets just $7.50 each ($5 for WSU students).
Advanced tickets are available now at THE NEON’s box office during traditional operating hours.
