The Fountain (2006) In Conversation with James Chinlund: The Production Designer as Creative Director
Darren Aronofsky’s cult classic starring Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz blends elements of fantasy, history, spirituality, and science fiction. Three timelines follow Tom’s quest for eternal life: a 16th-century conquistador, a modern scientist, and a future space traveller. Production Designer James Chinlund’s unique visual world blends practical and digital techniques to create realistic, grounded, yet fantastical environments.
Following the screening fellow Production Designers Collective peers Jamie Lapsley and Sarah Mursal chat to James about his work both on this film and across other industries in spatial design and fashion, looking at the role of a production designer as a creative director.
This is the opening event of the PD-REN inaugural conference Scene & Unseen: The Invisible Art of Production Design, as part of International Production Design Week 2025. Supported by the British Film Designers Guild, University of Westminster School of Arts, Set & Scene and Totom Construction.
About the Organizer:
The Production Design Research and Education Network (PD-REN) is a recently founded network addressing production design’s critical yet overlooked role in film studies and training. By establishing an international network of researchers and educators we are working to enhance understanding of the area and bridge the gap between academia, practice and industry.
The event is organized together with BFDG and Scenic Circle.
The British Film Designers Guild (BFDG) is a professional organisation that represents and supports the creative talents involved in production design for film, television, and other visual media in the United Kingdom.
The Scenic Circle is a handpicked advisory board of scenic design organisations and visionaries invited to help shape the show’s themes and content. If you are interested in joining The Scenic Circle we’d love to hear from you.
