SCAD Showcases Top Artisans Behind Sinners and Severance
SCADFILM In Focus Series Offers Screenings and Sessions with Industry Professionals in Costuming, Makeup, SFX, and Set Design
ATLANTA, May 5, 2025 — The Savannah College of Arts and Design (SCAD) and SCADFILM are proud to present SCADFILM In Focus: Artisans Thursday, May 8, spotlighting the industry professionals that make magic on hit movies and television shows. Learn the secrets behind top TV programs Severance, Stranger Things, Yellowjackets, and The Handmaid's Tale, as well as Ryan Coogler's hit 2025 film Sinners, and many others. All events will be held at SCADshow, the university's state-of-the-art theater complex in Midtown Atlanta, and are open to the public.
"At SCAD, we give our students access to the best in the business, both in front of and behind the camera," said Mollie Brock, director and producer for SCADFILM. "These talented artisans create dynamic new worlds through their innovative costuming, set design, and special effects skills."
On film, TV, and media productions, artisans are responsible for almost everything but the acting: cinematography, costume design, editing, hair and makeup, production design, sound editing, and visual effects, among other crucial roles. SCADFILM In Focus: Artisans shines the spotlight on these cinematic creatives, whose expertise elevates on-screen storytelling into a new realm of artistic expression.
As part of the dynamic SCADFILM In Focus series, this event will bring award-winning creators and industry experts for a day of curated panel discussions, screenings, and behind-the-scenes insights. Explore visionary craftsmanship and discover how these artisans collaborate to create immersive worlds that leave lasting impressions.
11:15 a.m. | Made in ATL
Atlanta is a powerhouse for film and television production, and every hit show and blockbuster has a team of incredible artists bringing it to life. Made in ATL shines a spotlight on the creative professionals working behind the scenes on some of the biggest productions in the city. From production designers to costume designers, this session features conversations with the artisans shaping the look, feel, and soul of Atlanta-made screen stories. Join us for an in-depth discussion into the craft, collaboration, and creative challenges of working in one of the busiest production hubs in the country.
Panelists:
Costume designer Amy Parris (Stranger Things, Yellowjackets)
Production designer Julie Berghoff (The Studio, The Handmaid's Tale, Saw)
Head of makeup Stevie Martin (Beyond the Gates, Creed III, Raising Dion)
Costume designer Elizabeth Vastola (Will Trent, Daredevil, Jessica Jones)
Costume designer Jeresa Featherstone (Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful)
2:15 p.m. | The Art of Transformation with Michael Fontaine
Welcome Academy Award-nominated special effects makeup artist Michael Fontaine for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the craft of creating unforgettable characters for film and television. From transforming Colin Farrell into the Penguin for The Batman to designing viral Halloween looks for Heidi Klum, Fontaine's work pushes the boundaries of cinematic transformation. In this special presentation, Fontaine will discuss his work, including his most recent project, Sinners, where he helped bring a dark and stylized world to the screen as the film's SFX makeup designer. The critically acclaimed, box office smash-hit from director Ryan Coogler is a perfect example of how artisans from different disciplines collaborate to push creative boundaries and breathe life into bold, original cinematic visions.
Based in New York, Fontaine is a protégé of legendary artist Dick Smith (The Exorcist, The Godfather) and began his career at age nine. An Academy Award nominee for The Batman and an Emmy Award nominee for his work on Boardwalk Empire, his other film credits include True Detective, The Irishman, and The Wolf of Wall Street. In addition to discussing his work on Sinners, Fontaine will share stories from set, insights into his creative process, and advice for aspiring artists passionate about character creation and visual storytelling.
5:30 p.m. | Designing the Divide: A Look Inside Severance with Set Decorator David Schlesinger
Do you know who you are at work…and who you are after? In the world of Severance, the line between those two selves is razor sharp — and the sets reflect every unsettling detail of that split. Catch a screening of the season two episode "Chikhai Bardo," followed by a deep dive into the eerie and meticulously crafted world of Lumon Industries with award-winning set decorator David Schlesinger (Knives Out, Jessica Jones). From the sterile hallways and retro-future cubicles to the strangely cozy breakrooms, Schlesinger will walk attendees through the design choices that shape the tone, themes, and unsettling beauty of the sensational Apple TV+ series.
Event attendees are welcomed to join a special waffle party at 5 p.m. in the SCADshow lobby ahead of the screening.
Tickets for each session are free for SCAD students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Tickets are $10 for the general public. For more information and to purchase tickets for upcoming sessions, visit the official event site. Programming topics are subject to change.
SCADFILM
SCADFILM produces premier events for students and professionals working in film, television, animation, gaming, AR/VR, performing arts, and video production. Audiences experience year-round programming that includes screenings, master classes, and behind-the-scenes presentations from industry luminaries. SCADFILM's events calendar includes SCAD AnimationFest, SCAD TVfest, and the SCADFILM Storytelling Series.
The preeminent authority in film and television education, SCAD is the only university with professionally run casting offices, located in Atlanta and Savannah, two of MovieMaker magazine's best cities for filmmaking. With more than 8,100 SCAD students and alumni working in animation, entertainment, film, media production, writing, editing, broadcast media, and performing arts — with over 2,800 in Georgia alone — SCAD helps drive the multibillion-dollar film and television industry in Georgia, Business Facilities Magazine's No. 1 region for film production. Additionally, SCAD students, alumni, and faculty have won Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Golden Reels, Tonys, Annies, and more.
SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow. SCAD enrolls more than 18,500 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 110 countries. The future-minded SCAD curriculum engages professional-level technology and myriad advanced learning resources, affording students opportunities for internships, professional certifications, and real-world assignments with corporate partners through SCADpro, the university's renowned research lab and prototype generator. SCAD has earned top rankings for degree programs in interior design, architecture, film, fashion, digital media, and more. Career success is woven into every fiber of the university, resulting in a superior alumni employment rate. A 2024 study found that 99% of recent SCAD graduates were employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD provides students and alumni with ongoing career support through personal coaching, alumni programs, a professional presentation studio, and more.
Media Contact:
Wendy Gardner
Sr. Director, Public Relations
wgardner@scad.edu