INTERVIEW WITH ART DIRECTOR LARRY WIEMER

Today I have the immense pleasure of welcoming a very special guest, art director Larry Wiemer, to CINEMATIC REVELATIONS for an interview. Larry was responsible for the production design of motion picture SKATETOWN U.S.A. [my review of the film can be found here] and in charge of art direction on a multitude of television programs such as Archie Bunker’s Place, Solid Gold, Mama’s Family, Major Dad, and more recently, The Real Housewives of Orange County, Pawnography, and Dave Chappelle: The Closer. In this interview Larry will be discussing his role as production designer of SKATETOWN U.S.A., and his television art direction accomplishments.

Welcome to CINEMATIC REVELATIONS Larry!

Athan: When did you first realize that you wanted to be an art director?

Larry: My first realization that I wanted to be an art director was after graduating from college and going on interviews for acting jobs and hating the process.

I decided to go back to college and study to be a scenic designer.

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Athan: Where did you study the craft of art direction and production design?

Larry: I went to UCLA to get an MFA in Theatre. At UCLA there were teachers who had been in the entertainment business and knew what a student needed to learn to get ahead. I enjoyed my time there as a student and teaching assistant.

We learned all aspects of the backstage crafts including lighting, sound, scenic design, set construction, technical direction.

After graduating I went to work in the television studio scenic shops CBS, NBC, ABC and actually built scenery that would go on prime time tv.

I would take the blueprints of the sets home and study them to see how the real professionals did their designs.

When the Art Directors would come through the scenic shop to check on the sets, I would introduce myself and ask for an interview to become an assistant art director.

As luck would have it I began to get work drafting sets and set decorating.

The rest is 50 years of working as a Production Designer, Art Director and Set Decorator in the entertainment industry.

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Athan: Your production design of SKATETOWN U.S.A. was beautiful and highly imaginative, making a roller disco skating venue come alive with color, pizazz, and style.  What is it that drew you to participating in the movie?

Larry: In television there is a hiatus period in the spring when all the shows go down for a couple of months. It was during this hiatus period that I learned about the Production Designer position on Skatetown USA from another production designer who could not take the job. He recommended me for the job and I began work right away.

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Athan: What did you find most exciting about the experience of making SKATETOWN U.S.A.?

Larry: The most exciting thing about working on Skatetown was getting out of the studio and working at the Hollywood Palladium. This was the main location for the movie.

The Hollywood Palladium is a world-famous night club and music venue so it played right into the script. Its circular hardwood floor certainly made it work for SKATETOWN U.S.A.

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Athan: For you, what was the most demanding, but emotionally satisfying segment of filming SKATETOWN U.S.A.?

Larry: The most demanding part of the experience was getting used to working with a film crew as opposed to a TV production crew.

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Athan: Have you kept in contact with any cast members and crew from SKATETOWN U.S.A.?

Larry: After the film production was completed I went back to designing television shows, half hour sitcoms mostly, and have not kept in touch with anyone from Skatetown USA.

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Athan: SKATETOWN U.S.A. was directed by William A. Levey, who also helmed BLACKENSTEIN, SLUMBER PARTY ’57, THE HAPPY HOOKER GOES TO WASHINGTON, HELLGATE, and COMMITTED. What was the experience of working with Mr Levey on the movie?

Larry: I really didn’t have much interplay with the director during the production other than looking at a setup and where he was placing the camera.

He was a pleasant guy is all I can remember.

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Athan: You have worked mostly in television, providing art direction for the afore-mentioned programs, and many specials such as The 40th NAACP Image Awards, Adam Ferrera: Funny as Hell, Hal Sparks: Charmageddon, and the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards New York, to name but a few. What is it that you like most about being an integral part of these specials?

Larry: I enjoy creating a visual environment that works for all aspects of the show.

You can’t just draw something that looks great you need to think about all the technical aspects of how the cameras, performers, audience, stage space, lighting and equipment will work together to make a great production.

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Athan: Do you have any upcoming projects of which you would like to tell readers?

Larry: Keep an eye out for the National Spelling Bee and the AFI Life Achievement Awards.

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Thank you so much today for your time Larry, and for the insight you have provided into SKATETOWN U.S.A., film and television production design, and art direction. It has been wonderful having you on CINEMATIC REVELATIONS. You are welcome to return whenever you wish.

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Larry Wiemer links

+Larry Wiemer IMDb Art Director/Production Designer Page

+SKATETOWN U.S.A. movie IMDb page