The Art Directors Guild (ADG) honored ‘The Hurt Locker,’ ‘Avatar’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes’ at its 14th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards on February 13 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Karl Juliusson won for best contemporary film for ‘The Hurt Locker,’ Rick Carter won for best fantasy film for ‘Avatar’ and Sarah Greenwood won for best period film for ‘Sherlock Holmes.’

Production designers were also honored for the categories of television, commercials and music videos during the black-tie ceremony. Among the winners for television were Dan Bishop for the single-camera series category for the ‘Souvenir’ episode of ‘Mad Men;’ Kalina Ivanoy won for ‘Grey Gardens’ in the television movie or mini-series category; and John Janavs won for episode 604 of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ in the multi-camera, variety or unscripted series category. James Chinlund won in the commercials and music videos category for the Absolut Anthem commercial titled In An Absolut World.

Other awards were also handed out during the ceremony, including the Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery Award, which was presented to Warren Beatty. Production designer Terence Marsh, who earned Oscars for ‘Oliver!’ and ‘Doctor Zhivago,’ received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Creative Leadership Award was given to production designer Michael Baugh. The ADG also inducted Malcolm F. Brown, Bob Keene and Ferdinando Scarfiotti into the Production Designer’s Hall of Fame.

ADG Chairman Thomas A. Walsh presided over the ceremony, and Paula Poundstone served as the evening’s host. The ADG awards recognition not only goes to the production designer, but also to the art director and assistant art director of each project. The guild represents nearly 2,000 film, television and theater members, which also include scenic, title and graphic artists; illustrators and matte artists; and Set Designers and Model Makers, throughout the world.

Written by: Karen Benardello