Filmmaking Conversations Podcast with Damien Swaby

Ep 105: FRIENDS Costume Designer, Debra McQuire

03.08.2021 - By Damien SwabyPlay

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Among Debra McGuire's many accomplishments as a FINE ARTIST, FASHION DESIGNER and COSTUME DESIGNER, she has been best known for her 10 year run on the hit show FRIENDS and for designing many of David Mamet's film and theatre projects including PHIL SPECTOR (starring Al Pacino and Helen Mirren), nominated for 11 Emmy's and in which she was nominated for BEST COSTUME DESIGN. Debra has also designed many of Judd Apatow and Jake Kasdan's film and Television projects. Debra designed SONIC (The Hedgehog), starring James Marsden and Jim Carrey (Paramount Studios/Sega) which premiered in February 2020 to rave reviews and box office success! She recently began designing for Jennifer Aniston for THE MORNING SHOW and the upcoming FRIENDS reunion. Passionate about the THEATRE, she began designing costumes for a dance theatre company in Paris in the early 80's. In 2007 she won the NAACP Award for Best Costume Design for ATLANTA, at the Geffen Playhouse and in 2006 she was nominated for an Ovation Award for Best Costume Design for BOSTON MARRIAGE, at the Geffen Playhouse. Summer 2016 she designed the original period musical, I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU (written by Arlene Sarner and Jerry Leichling, Directed by Kay Cole), at the Montalban Theatre in Los Angeles, which has been nominated for several OVATION awards. Debra is primarily a fine artist with a career that began as a painter, working and teaching in her Bay Area studio. She became an instructor at Colleges and Universities in Northern California, a Jewelry and Accessories Designer in New York, Fashion Designer, Fashion Consultant, Couturier (with a store in Pacific Palisades, Ca. for 10 years) and Costume Designer. She has been speaking at Galleries and Art Colleges on the East Coast, most recently Pratt Institute, RI School of Design and Brown University: The Refinement of Process: Visual Journey of the Artist as Costume Designer. Recently back in the studio, she travels between her LA loft/studio and her Rhode Island home/studio.Her creativity is rivaled only by her ability to multitask, a skill that has been honed through many years of hard work and dedication. "An artist with passion can create anything…a world 1000 years in the past or the future, an 1800's Western, a contemporary drama or comedy, action film…anything is possible. Creating a visual story that didn't exist a moment ago is about the miraculous Designer-Director relationship…understanding the vision and making it happen. However, without my loyal and dedicated crews, none of this would be possible!"Debra McGuire Atelier61 Neck Rd.,Tiverton, RI [email protected]@BydebramcguireFactory OfficeLipstick Prophets704 S. Spring St. #301Los Angeles, CA 90014WPA • Worldwide Production AgencyErin SearcyTel: [email protected] IMDBDebra McGuireIndustry MembershipThe Costume Designers Guild IAATSE #892#829 (United Scenic Artists, NYC,International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)Like to have a ASC cinematographer as a mentor?Have you thought of upgrading your cinematography game? Would you like to have an ASC Cinematographer mentor you for free? Join veteran cinematographer Suki Medencevic, A.S.C. (Disney, Pixar, FX Networks, Netflix, American Horror Story). He teaches you how to create beautiful images using three lighting techniques he has mastered on film sets over his 30+ years in the film industry. Each technique uses basic, low-cost lighting equipment so that anyone can achieve beautiful visuals no matter your projects's budget.Learn film lighting from an ASC cinematographer. If you want to take your cinematography to the next level, this free training will...

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