Meet Christopher Murillo of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Murillo.

Hi Christopher, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Santa Ana, California, just a few freeway exits from Disneyland. As a kid, I was always doodling, sketching, and building things out of Legos, which eventually led me to study drawing, painting, and sculpture in high school. Around that same time, I was also making regular trips to Disneyland with family and friends, and that’s really where I discovered the magic of storytelling and live performance.

I became fascinated with immersive worlds and set design, and that curiosity led me to pursue a degree in Theater at UCLA (TFT ’07), focusing on design. From there, I found my way into theater, designing sets, props, and costumes. That work eventually expanded into production design and art direction for television. My passion grew further and I continued my education at UCSD in La Jolla, CA where I received my MFA in Design for Theatre and Dance. Over time, I found myself entering the classroom and teaching young designers about the field of design for stage and screen.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the hardest parts of being an artist is not always knowing what’s next. During the first few years of my career, I worked in hospitality at the front desk of a boutique hotel in Santa Monica. I was balancing my hours at the hotel with the hours designing and attending rehearsals in theaters across Southern California. It was at times exhausting and there were moments when I seriously considered stepping away from being a designer and trying another career path. But every time I did, something unexpected and exciting would pull me right back in and remind me why I love being a set designer and creative professional.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a scenic designer (for theater), production designer (for television), and educator based in Los Angeles, CA. I consider myself a fictional anthropologist—and, even more so, a storyteller. My scenic designs have appeared at notable venues including Center Theatre Group, The Getty Villa, The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, South Coast Rep., Segerstrom Center for the Arts, The Latino Theater Co., East West Players, and the Hollywood Bowl. I have also been a long time featured designer and collaborator at The Chance Theater, New Village Arts, and Playwrights’ Arena. As a designer working in new works for the stage, I have contributed to new play development with several notable companies, helping playwrights shape the visual worlds of their newest scripts. My designs have been showcased at festivals curated by Native Voices at the Autry, IAMA Theatre Company, Playwrights’ Arena, and Cygnet Theatre Company.

As a production designer for television, I was on contract with Paramount+/CBS, collaborating as an in-house designer for their Creative Content Streaming Department. During that time, I designed The Ready Room with Wil Wheaton, a multi-season behind-the-scenes series featuring interviews and guests from the Star Trek universe. I was also the production designer for HALO: The Series: Declassified, a weekly digital after-show that featured sit-down interviews and in-depth episode recaps.

In addition to production design, my career in television started as the reunion set decorator for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Seasons 4–6) and Orange County (Seasons 8–11). As a model maker, I contributed to the Emmy Award–winning art department of the 86th Academy Awards (The Oscars), designed by Derek McLane with Art Direction by Joe Celli and Gloria Lamb.

While I maintain an active professional design portfolio, I am also currently an Assistant Professor of Teaching at UC RIVERSIDE in their Theatre, Film, and Digital Production Department, where I teaches courses in design for stage and screen.

What’s next?
As an artist, future plans are always evolving and shifting as opportunities arise and the industry changes. I am always excited for the next collaboration both with familiar collaborators and new ones alike. I am always working towards expanding my networks and looking for the next creative adventure.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.christopherscottmurillo.com/
• Instagram: @csmdesign97
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-scott-murillo-308383b

Image Credits
Personal photo and Photo #4: DUPLA/Jason Sullivan photography