Polly Platt: Hollywood Production Design and Creative Authorship

Polly Platt's book explores her career and creative labor as a production designer in 1970s Hollywood, focusing on her contributions to films like The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon, and The Witches of Eastwick. It argues that her visual palette and mise-en-scène were so creative and comprehensive that it can be considered authorial. The book discusses her life, attention to detail, role in location decisions and costume design, and use of color. It also discusses her later career as a producer and mentorship to young filmmakers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the remarkable career and creative endeavors of renowned production designer Polly Platt. It primarily focuses on her significant contributions to the vibrant Hollywood scene of the 1970s, but also takes into account her later work. By examining films like "The Last Picture Show," "Paper Moon," "The Bad News Bears," and "The Witches of Eastwick," the book makes a compelling argument that Platt's artistic vision and meticulous attention to detail were so profound that they can be regarded as authorial.

The book is organized into several chapters that explore various aspects of Platt's life and its profound influence on her work. These chapters delve into her meticulous attention to detail, her pivotal role in making location and costume design decisions, and her innovative use of color. An epilogue provides insight into her later career as a producer, where she mentored young filmmakers such as Cameron Crowe and Wes Anderson, further showcasing her enduring impact on the film industry.

This comprehensive examination of Polly Platt's career is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the era of 1970s cinema. By challenging the traditional auteur-driven framing that often defines this period, the book provides a valuable alternative methodology that recognizes the significant contributions of women practitioners like Platt. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of filmmaking, film history, and the creative processes that shape the visual narrative of movies.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030821227
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021