What does it really take to build the worlds behind some of the most iconic films of our time?
In this episode of Yellowbelly Presents, we’re joined by Oscar-nominated production designers Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer — two of the most celebrated visual storytellers working in cinema today.
From the hyper-stylised fantasy of Barbie to the haunting realism of Atonement and the historical precision of Darkest Hour, Sarah and Katie break down how production design goes far beyond aesthetics. Every choice begins with character, story, and emotional truth — not “good taste,” but the taste of the world and people being represented.
In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore:
How cinematic worlds are built from script and character
The responsibility of designing remembered history
Knowing the rules — and when to break them
Collaborating with directors and producers like Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie
What production design really means when storytelling comes firstWith multiple Academy Award and BAFTA nominations between them, Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer have helped redefine what production design can achieve on a global scale — shaping films that audiences don’t just watch, but feel.
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