tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972588591329925648.post8903120915193617721..comments2023-10-20T04:42:12.175-07:00Comments on Magnum P.I. Set Decorator: Stage Design and Production Design without Intermission (sorry. it's another 5 acts!)Magnum Decoratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03148857678317907267noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972588591329925648.post-14469716043115609072010-01-29T01:50:15.173-08:002010-01-29T01:50:15.173-08:00Very nice pics..Very nice pics..Fake Transcripthttp://www.backalleypress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972588591329925648.post-5023272140950416112010-01-27T05:53:18.202-08:002010-01-27T05:53:18.202-08:00cool.. very artistic stage..cool.. very artistic stage..Ninequadrathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08707916579953891138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972588591329925648.post-45690963461724281962009-06-30T13:55:20.231-07:002009-06-30T13:55:20.231-07:00Yes, I graduated with a B.A. in Theatre and anothe...Yes, I graduated with a B.A. in Theatre and another one in Art and Architectural History from the U of M. I remember a class from Nolte also, I think he outlasted most of the oldtimers. I worked for the Guthrie, Chimera, and taught in a performing arts center before coming to Hawaii for graduate school--and I'm still here! Glad you enjoy the blog--and thanks. Aloha, RickMagnum Decoratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03148857678317907267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972588591329925648.post-10711927951210781472009-06-30T10:11:15.607-07:002009-06-30T10:11:15.607-07:00You went to the U of MN - Twin Cities? Me too.
I ...You went to the U of MN - Twin Cities? Me too.<br /><br />I can remember taking a theater class with Prof Nolte in the Rarig Center. I wish I would have taken more classes over there. Fun stuff.<br /><br />Love the blog. Even without as many MPI pics. ;-)<br /><br />BillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972588591329925648.post-3572115697370931562009-06-19T16:40:16.453-07:002009-06-19T16:40:16.453-07:00Susie, not a problem asking your provocative quest...Susie, not a problem asking your provocative questions--without them it doesn't look like I'd have a blog right now!<br />Yes, I did miss the creativity when working on Magnum, but it was a different kind of challenge working on a top 10 TV show and juggling all the new /different requirements while putting up with some crew problems that I inherited with the job. However, doing theatre design usually required my doing another outside design job along with my resident design job to make ends meet here in expensive Hawaii and buying a house at 30! As demanding as Magnum could be, when I was done for the day--I was done. No more going home and drafting until midnight or chasing down payments, etc. I already knew many of the sources for things on Magnum--only now I wasn't "begging to borrow," I had Universal Studios money to spend!<br /> Because of my reputation and ability to produce what I created in the theatre, I was pretty much given a free hand in designing 8 shows a year--with usually 6 weeks to deliver the goods. As I already said in an earlier post comparing Magnum to LOST, back then I worked directly with the episode director with minor input from either the art director or producer of the show. They all seemed to trust me and I consistently met or exceeded their demands on a regular basis--at least back then I did. With more controlling and obsessing by production designers today, the job of a decorator has been sometimes more of a shopper / buyer than a creative position.<br /> Minimal contact with actors / performers is the same behind the camera or behind the stage. There was a much greater friendship in and out of the theatre with crew and volunteers, but virtually none with TV/film crews. That hasn't changed even today.<br /> I know I said this before, but I used to describe working on Magnum to my theatre friends as having only one half of the curtain open only part of the way on opening night--thus obscuring 75% of the set behind it. It was not uncommon to only see 75% of the Magnum set on the TV screen!<br /> Can't I just have it all??!!Magnum Decoratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03148857678317907267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2972588591329925648.post-10370225706460951732009-06-19T16:13:19.009-07:002009-06-19T16:13:19.009-07:00Rick,
Thanks for the paragraphs on this subject. ...Rick,<br /><br />Thanks for the paragraphs on this subject. One of things I always loved the best about a live show (professional or an elementary Christmas concert) was the work/creativity that went into the sets.I was going to ask if you found TV/film boring after theatre but since this started as a MPI set blog, I though I better not. So, other than the pay, what was some of the positives about working on the MPI sets? Does theatre bring you closer to the complete project (the acting, directing/storyline) or did TV/film also offer some of that? Or as a set director, do you somewhat work in own world while taking a few directions or requests for each set individually? Do I ask to many questions? Maybe I should start working on my home again. Oh ya, I just did some of that and ran out of money. Oh well, hope all the questions are okay.<br />SusieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com