The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop PART 2 - Saving Movie History

Summary

This video explores the fascinating world of Hollywood scenic artistry, focusing on the creation, use, and preservation of large-scale film backdrops. Through interviews with multiple generations of scenic artists, the presentation delves into techniques such as matte painting, tensioned muslin backdrops, and collaborative workflows. Iconic films like North by Northwest, Sound of Music, and Brigadoon are highlighted, alongside insights into studio practices, stylistic differences, and the costs of production. The discussion also emphasizes the historical value of these backdrops, their survival through studio purges, and ongoing efforts to document, preserve, and showcase this unique blend of art, craft, and cinematic history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Scenic artists once relied heavily on hand-painted backdrops, creating massive, intricately detailed scenes for film productions.
• 😀 Matte paintings were a common technique, often painted on glass, and used in combination with live-action shots to create seamless visuals.
• 😀 The cost of creating these backdrops in the 1930s ranged around $1,500, with costs increasing significantly in later years as production demands grew.
• 😀 Backdrops from iconic films such as *North by Northwest*, *Brigadoon*, and *My Fair Lady* were preserved and still exist today in various collections.
• 😀 In the past, scenic artists followed structured systems (like MGM’s 1-2-3 method) to maintain consistency in large-scale backdrops, while other artists, like John Coakley, took a more fluid, expressive approach.
• 😀 Many backdrops survived because they were rented out and hidden in plain sight during studio purges, which helped preserve them.
• 😀 The process of painting backdrops involved various techniques, such as using muslin fabric that was lightweight but tightly woven to prevent light leakage.
• 😀 The backdrop paintings were so large that some had to be stored and transported using special equipment like buttons to prevent wrinkles or damage.
• 😀 In modern times, JC Backings has evolved by using high-resolution photography and printers to create photo-realistic backdrops for films, which is a shift from traditional painting techniques.
• 😀 The craftsmanship of scenic artists is celebrated, and their work often involved collaboration and a delicate balance of individual styles and techniques to create a unified filmic vision.

Q & A

What is the main subject of the video transcript?

The transcript focuses on scenic backdrops used in film production, discussing their history, creation, preservation, and the artists involved in painting them.

Who is George Gibson and what is mentioned about him?

George Gibson was a scenic artist. In the transcript, it is mentioned that during a film premiere, he was sitting behind members of the clergy who were upset because filmmakers had promised not to film in the Cathedral.

What is the significance of JC Backings in the transcript?

JC Backings is highlighted as a key company responsible for scenic backdrops. They maintained, rented, and sometimes created new backdrops and were central to preserving the history of these scenic arts.

How were large backdrops typically made and stored?

Large backdrops were often painted on muslin, sometimes mounted on rollers or buttons to keep them taut and avoid folds. Some were hundreds of feet wide and designed to be reusable assets for multiple film productions.

What role did matte paintings play in conjunction with backdrops?

Matte paintings served as smaller, detailed versions of backdrops or were used in combination with backdrops for visual effects. Portions could be blacked out for separate film exposure, complementing live-action shots.

What historical examples of backdrops are mentioned?

The transcript references backdrops from 'North by Northwest,' 'Brigadoon,' 'Hello Dolly,' 'Sound of Music,' 'My Fair Lady,' and others, highlighting the grandeur and scale of these cinematic tools.

What differences in artistic style are discussed?

The transcript contrasts MGM's systematic approach to painting backdrops with John Coakley's more fluid, emotional style. MGM followed a step-by-step system, while Coakley allowed for expressive brushwork and less rigid structure.

Why did some backdrops survive while others did not?

Backdrops survived if they were hidden in plain sight, preserved as rentable assets, or maintained by companies like JC Backings. Some earlier pieces, like the original 'Wizard of Oz' drops, did not survive due to studio purges or lack of preservation efforts.

What is the connection between scenic artists and their mentors in the transcript?

The transcript emphasizes the lineage of scenic artists, tracing mentorship chains to understand influences and the evolution of painting styles. The book discussed interviews artists and their mentors to capture this historical and technical knowledge.

What technical details about backdrop painting are provided?

Technical details include the use of heavyweight muslin for durability and light control, rolling backdrops on buttons for even tension, and the process of layering matte sections for compositing film shots. There is also mention of the large scale required to fit camera framing perfectly.

How has technology changed the creation of backdrops in modern times?

Modern techniques involve high-resolution photography and large-format printing, creating photo-realistic backdrops. Companies like JC Backings have adapted to these methods, producing backdrops faster and more efficiently than traditional hand-painted versions.

What efforts are being made to preserve and document these backdrops?

The transcript mentions exhibitions, publications, and archival efforts by the Art Directors Guild and JC Backings, including photographing backdrops, storing sketches, research materials, and ensuring some production spaces remain active for painting new pieces.