We’re wrapping things up today with a final look at the below-the-line of Joel and Ethan Coen’s “True Grit” and a chat with production designer Jess Gonchor.
You might recall our interview with Gonchor from last year when he mentioned how he first came to work with the Coens (on 2007’s “No Country for Old Men”). The brothers had been very impressed with what they saw on Bennett Miller’s “Capote” and liked what he brought to the table. Gonchor had already shown his value as art director on films like “Kate & Leopold” and “The Last Samurai,” but “Capote” was his first stab at being the head of the art department as production designer.
Four films later the collaboration is still going strong as Gonchor has settled in nicely with the Coens’ family of craftsmen and women, and “True Grit” might be the apex of that work so far. Any designer would delight in working on a western, but the attention to detail in Gonchor’s work, and particularly in the work of his set decorator, Nancy Haigh, is truly wonderful.
Have a listen to my chat with Gonchor below. And in case you missed this week’s series of interviews:
• Costume designer Mary Zophres
• Sound mixer Skip Lievsay
• Cinematographer Roger Deakins
• Composer Carter Burwell
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[Photo: Paramount Pictures]
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7 responses to “TECH SUPPORT INTERVIEW: ‘True Grit’ production designer Jess Gonchor”
I expect Deakins, Gonchor, Zophres, & Lievsay to be in the thick of things for nominations. The techs really were superb on ‘True Grit’. Thanks Kris for all this fun wealth of info/interviews!
After being disappointed by the “look” of Shutter Island and Inception, I’m hoping that True Grit will give me *something* to root for in the Best Art Direction category.
Ahem, case in point.*
*See round-up thread.
I was speaking of the film mainly as a Best Art Direction frontrunner (which along with Inception it arguably is), Kris, and quite frankly if you’re pissed off over criticism of a single visual aspect of it, then you really shouldn’t be judging one’s “obsessions.”
Well I for one hope that the Art Direction of “True Grit” compares well with the sound of “Hurt Locker”.
Robert: Who said I was pissed? Just pointing out general derp neurosis.
[…] was released this week to incontention.com to increase the visibility and Oscar competition for Production Designer Jess Gonchor who regularly works with the Coen […]