Today we’d like to introduce you to Celine Diano.
Celine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in France and decided to move to Los Angeles after obtaining my law degree. I knew it was time to find a way to truly express my creativity and decided to pursue my dreams of working in the film industry. I started my experience in the art department on the WB’s TV pilot Fastlane, I quickly found my passion designing sets for various projects, from movies (Unpregnant, Poms, Kings, among many others) to commercials, TV/web series (On The Verge) and even theater plays (The Way You Look Tonight, Mutually Assured Destruction), developing each character’s universe by using the subtle power of colors and textures.
In addition to filmmaking, I have also developed great interest in drawing or making natural wood and stones mobiles. My freehand abstract linework has been shown in a few local exhibits.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been easy. Especially not being born in this country and sometimes, just being a woman. This industry provides many dreamy moments but most of the time, it feels like you’re slowly crawling your way to the “top”, meaning towards the goals you set up for yourself. You have to love what you do and be able to take the blows as they come. Although some people get the right project at the right time, early on in their career.
It definitely makes you stronger, more creative and more social.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a production designer, I design sets, mostly for movies, which I love. I create the characters’ universe, I try to help the story And the director’s vision by adding visual details (colors, textures, furniture…) in the frame. When I first started, my mom asked me When watching a movie: “but I don’t understand, the characters are talking in a bedroom, so.. what Is it you do?” It is difficult to understand, when not familiar with the way movies get made, to understand each person’s job. I had to explain to my mom that the bedroom might have initially be a converted dining room or built from scratch by the construction team, that the wallpaper on the wall was probably chosen on purpose, that the decoration team picked the size and style of the bed, as well as the lamps and all little details around the room. There is such pleasure looking at the finished product you visualized in your head first. When you’re passionate about a project, it shows.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Um… I don’t know if I have a favorite one per say but going horseback riding was always an amazing time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.celinediano.com
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