The Art Directors Guild has recently announced winners of its 25thAnnual ADG Awards in 12 categories of film, television, commercials and music videos. The hybrid virtual gala, recognizing 25 years of resilience, was held Saturday night, April 10, 2021. Mank (Donald Graham Burt), Tenet (Nathan Crowley), Da 5 Bloods (Wynn Thomas), and Soul (Steve Pilcher), won Best Production Design for Feature Film.
Television winners included “The Mandalorian: Chapter 13: The Jedi” (Andrew L. Jones, Doug Chiang), “Ozark: Wartime” (David Bomba), “The Queen’s Gambit” (Uli Hanisch), “What We Do in the Shadows: Resurrection, Collaboration, Witches” (Kate Bunch), and “Will & Grace: Accidentally on Porpoise, We Love Lucy, It’s Time” (Glenda Rovello), “Saturday Night Live: Host: John Mulaney + Music: David Byrne, Host: Adele + Music: H.E.R., Host: Dave Chappelle + Music: Foo Fighters” (Keith Raywood, Eugene Lee, Akira Yoshimura, N. Joseph De Tullio), “Black Is King” (Hannah Beachler, Carlos Laszlo, Susan Linss, Miranda Lorenz, Brandon Mendez, Rika Nakanishi, Ethan Tobman) respectively. The Web Series, Music Video or Commercial award was bestowed upon “Harry Styles: Falling” (François Audouy).
The awards took place before an audience of more than 4,000 worldwide and was hosted by comedian JB Smoove, co-star of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” ADG President Nelson Coates, ADG, and Art Directors Council Chair Mark Worthington, ADG, presided over the awards ceremony. Producer of this year’s ADG Awards (#ADGawards) was Production Designer Scott Moses, ADG; event was co-produced by Matt Ringer. Emmy-winning Production Designer James Pearse Connelly, ADG, and Actress/Comedian Dierdre Friel hosted the Pre-Show retrospective celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the ADG Awards.
“I’m grateful we were able to share our open awards event with all of our members, their families, friends, and coworkers this year. The show was designed to celebrate the resilience shown by our guild and the entire industry as a community in a year unlike any other in our lifetime. The work recognized here represents the best of the collective skills within the ADG to bring stories alive with limitless imagination,” said Scott Moses.
Presenters included Oscar®-nominated actress Maria Bakalova, Oscar-nominated executive producer and actress Carey Mulligan; producer, writer and director Emerald Fennel; entrepreneur, supermodel and Emmy®-winning television producer and personality Tyra Banks; Aasif Mandvi; Emmy nominated actress Jenna Elfman, Brian Tee, Jordi Molla, Nicco Annan and Ross Mathews among others.
Ryan Murphy, Emmy, Golden Globe®, Tony® and Peabody® Award-winning screenwriter, producer, and director, received the esteemed Cinematic Imagery Award, honoring his prestigious spectrum of extraordinary productions reflecting the highest quality of production design. A comprehensive clip reel was presented, spotlighting the spectrum of Murphy’s award-winning shows which have garnered him six Primetime Emmys®, 26 additional award wins, and an unprecedented 72 nominations. He is the originator of the popular American television programs “American Horror Story,” “American Crime Story,” “Pose,” “Hollywood,” “Feud,” “Glee,” and “The New Normal” among many others. Presenting the award to Murphy was Matt Bomer, star of many of Murphy’s shows including “Boys in the Band.”
The Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to outstanding individuals in each of the guild’s four crafts. Emmy-winning Production Designer Stuart Wurtzel, ADG, known for his work on Hannah and Her Sisters and Angels in America, received the ADG Lifetime Achievement Award from the Art Directors Council, presented by Australian film director, producer and screenwriter Fred Schepisi. Concept Artist John Eaves, ADG, known for his iconic illustrations and designs for the Star Trek series, Captain America: The Winter Soldier; Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides; Spider-Man: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Iron Man 3, was honored by the Illustrators and Matte Artists Council, presented by Production Designer Herman Zimmerman, ADG (six of the Star Trek feature films). Scenic Artist Patrick DeGreve, ADG, prolific artist known for his memorable backings, sets and props for shows created at CBS TV City over the past 45 years, was honored by the Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists Council, presented by Pat’s crew at CBS TV City including Vahe Assadourian, Lisa Frazza, Eddie Gioiosa. Set Designer Martha Johnston, ADG, spotlighted for her over 60 movie and television design credits including Interstellar, Dunkirk and Aquaman, was awarded by the Set Designers and Model Makers Council, presented by Oscar-nominated Production Designer Nathan Crowley, ADG who also won the ADG Award for Tenet.
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