Meet Paula Loos, Production Designer in Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Loos.

Paula, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in the Netherlands, spend most of my time in Amsterdam. Graduated Graphic Design school and Dutch film school in Amsterdam.
Always worked in film and TV. (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1580303/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1)

In 2005, I went on a trip to NY and found a blackberry from a producer in LA, with an office on Sunset Boulevard. At that moment a seed was planted in my head…. to work and live in Los Angeles. (Maybe this producer who lost his blackberry in NY in 2005 reads this interview… and I can finally meet him in person…. 🙂)

A few years later I had the opportunity to work in NY on a movie with Busta Rhymes and Tom Berenger, Breaking Point. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0965375/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_30

In 2011 there was an online invitation to join the Holland Hollywood connection, a program that was set up by the government and the filmmakers Jan de Bont (Speed, The Haunting, Minority report) en Paul Verhoeven (Robocop, Basic Instinct, Holloman). Ten people were chosen to get a mentor from the film industry in Los Angeles. I was one of the lucky people who was one of them.

After that I packed my party clothes and went to Burningman. I stayed for about a few weeks in Sacramento at a friend that I met at Burningman. I bought a car, drove myself to Los Angeles. And started my adventure.

First I didn’t have any paperwork, so I put myself out there and worked for gift cards, for Ralphs and Ross dress for less and gas. On one of those sets a DP, Danny Hiele (http://www.dannyhiele.com) saw me working and introduced me to the right people. I got my paperwork and from then on it went better and better. I worked on the Oscar-nominated film Passengers (2017) and Hitman’s bodyguard. And there is a movie coming out from Screen Gems, Cadaver later this year.

At the moment I have 2 amazing agencies that represent me. Murtha Skouras (commercials – http://www.murthaskouras.com) and In.trin.sic (Film and TV – http://www.intrinsic-la.com). And working on commercials and prep a film that will be shot in LA and Sweden.

On every moment and every movie you make, you’ll have the time to shine! If you have an idea in your mind, you can make it reality! Take action and don’t give up. And it only could have happen with all the help I got from the people who contribute to my life. Thank you all. (as well as you who reads this article).

Has it been a smooth road?
Nope, it wasn’t a smooth road…

First, there was a language barrier. To explain the designs you want in another langue it took me some time. I did understand English and I could make myself clear only I mixed up the sentences. So other people were looking at me like” what do you want? A couch, red? Haha, it is amazing to find out how fast you can improve a language when you have to deal with it every day.

Before I could work on the bigger shows there was paperwork for me to do. Getting an Artist Visa ()-1) to work only in the art department of film and then getting into the Union. I applied for an apprenticeship at the Art directors Union Local 800. Need to fill in all the paperwork (again) and do an interview. The board found me overqualified for the position and asked me to join as assistant art director.

Other things that I had to deal with were that the European ways of making a film is slightly different than working on Union shows. In Europe, the workflow is like working on an Independent project. Even if the budget is 6 or 8 million euro. This is the practical part that I needed to discover.

And if you are designing a project, it’s great if you have the knowledge about what is available. So, who I just landed in LA I went to see all the prop houses, a US art director friend, Richard Berentson, took me with him on jobs and was so friendly to show me around and introduce me to people and stages. This gave me more feeling on what’s available and what were the differences in the US design and architect build styles.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am not a company.  I’m a person with specific skills in design for film and tv (mostly film and commercials). I’m known for working on the movies, Passengers, Hitman’s bodyguard, Spinningman, and commercials for Burger King, Checkers, Nintendo, Jersey Mikey’s and many more.

I’m proud of the journey I took to be in this position right now. It’s amazing to see that what you’ve hoped and dreamed of can come true. That also counts for the projects I’m working on. The people I’m working with inspire me every day.

What sets me apart is the wide reach of experience in global design knowledge specialized in Europe and the US. I try to get inspired and I try to inspire people I work with, so we can all deliver to the max. Creating a team and building teamwork in the realization of the designs that are been created for film and commercials.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
This city is the best! There are so many opportunities to find! And you never know who you walk into! As advice to people who are just starting….

don’t judge people, they might be related to other people and you don’t know what happens in the future. Be present, keep your eyes and ears open. Take action, talk to people. Share what you are up to. Don’t be shy. Don’t give up. If one door is closed, another door wil open.

Contact Info:

• Website: paulaloos.nl ; https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1580303/?ref_=nv_sr_1
• Phone: 917 702 24 32
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: paula_loos
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesetdesigners/?modal=suggested_action&notif_id=1532822144503649&notif_t=page_user_activity
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-loos-7a99243/
  Commercials – http://www.murthaskouras.com – Tom Marquardt
  Movie/TV – http://www.intrinsic-la.com – Dana Saltson, Jonathan Silverman

Image Credit:
Designs made for Lukkien – https://www.lukkien.com, My heritage – https://www.myheritage.com, Cillit Bang – http://www.cillitbang.co.uk

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