Emanuel Gerard(1926-1973)
- Art Department
- Art Director
- Production Designer
Emanuel Gerard was a uniquely gifted television and film art director. His
visually innovative set and production designs served to establish the
individual character and tone for the drama and action in each
production. Emanuel was born in New York City on May 18, 1926 and
received a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University in 1947
where he majored in biology. From 1948 to 1949 he worked as a medical
illustrator at The Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. In 1954
Emanuel attended Yale Drama School where he earned a Masters degree in
Scenic Design. He went on to become a Clio Award winning art director.
He received this prestigious award while working first for Elliot,
Unger & Elliot Productions, then Robert Lawrence, and finally in 1962
opened his own business, Gerard Designs, where he employed the talents
of Robert Drumheller as set decorator. He was a man whose talents and
personality were appreciated by those involved in all aspects of film
production. He worked closely with both film directors and producers,
as well as a loyal crew of carpenters, painters, and technicians who
brought his designs to life. From his re-creation of a gritty New York
City subway car in his first movie "The Incident", to the affluent houses
of Westchester in "Goodbye, Columbus", and the flashy, trend-setting
interiors of "Shaft", and "Shaft's Big Score!", Emanuel Gerard's designs
were versatile and exciting. They encompassed a wide-range of set
design, architecture, props, and color. He was also responsible for
choosing and dressing numerous outdoor locations that offered a rare
glimpse of New York City in the '60s and '70s, as well as creating the
necessary elements for many extended action scenes and most of these
movies had plenty of action!