Derek McLane Discusses 2013 Academy Awards Set Design

Tony Award-winning scenic designer Derek McLane has discussed the inspiration behind his remarkable set design for the 2013 Academy Awards in an interview with the LA Times.

McLane related that the main inspiration for the half-moon shaped caged lighting sculpture that frames the gigantic stage of the Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles came from an object d'art in his own home - a wall installation featuring dozens of antique lamps in cubbyholes backed by iodizing mirrors.

Old meets new, indeed!

McLane states of the wall structure in his own home, "They're all slightly different and they're objects you wouldn't think of as warm or romantic, but in a pattern they create an almost lush backdrop to the room."

He continues, "That kind of tension between an ordinary object and the patterns you can create with them is interesting."

In speaking of executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron and their influence, McLane says, "[Meron and Zadan] said, 'We don't want you to try to make this look like another Oscar show. Make this look like your own work.' And they singled out some of the more abstract, interesting Broadway sets I'd designed. It really freed me up."

Busby Berkeley movies and the great movie musicals all have played a part in the design, as well. "I'm exploring things I think suit the majesty of the event, the glamour of the event. But some of them are unadorned."

Check out the LA Times article here.

Be sure to stay tuned to BroadwayWorld for an interview with Derek McLane later this week as well as exclusive images of the design!

Also, 2013 Academy Awards executive producer Neil Meron Tweeted a picture of the set earlier this week, as well. Follow him on Twitter here.

View the enticing preview image from Neil Meron's Twitter yesterday below.