Arthur Max
Encyclopedia
Arthur Max is an American movie art director and Production Designer. He has been nominated for Academy Awards twice: once for his work on Gladiator
(2000) and another for his Production Design on American Gangster (2007). In addition to his Oscar nominations, Max won several other honors for his production design on the film, including the BAFTA, the National Board of Review prize and the Broadcast Film Critics honor. He also collected the ‘Excellence in Production Design’ Award from the Art Directors Guild
, the first of four nominations he received (the other three for Ridley Scott
’s “Black Hawk Down" and Robin Hood” and David Fincher’s “Panic Room”). Max has recently completed "Prometheus
". The film marks Max’s eighth project for filmmaker Scott, a list of achievements which includes,” “Kingdom of Heaven
,” “Robin Hood
" and the aforementioned “Black Hawk Down" and "Body of Lies
.” He designed Fincher’s 1994 thriller, “Se7en
.” The native New Yorker began his career as a stage lighting designer
in the music industry following graduation from New York University in the late 1960s. Those assignments included work at Bill Graham’s famous music venue The Fillmore East in New York's East Village, and the historic Woodstock Festival of 1969 where he operated a spotlight for Chip Monck
, a rock lighting and stage design company during the Woodstock festival in 1969. During the following decade, he designed concert lighting and festival stages for many rock and jazz artists. He was Pink Floyd
's lighting designer during the bands' tours in the US and around the world in the early 70's. After studying architecture in England (earning degrees in the early ‘80s from the Polytechnic of Central London
and the Royal College of Art
), Max went on to do several architectural design projects in London.
He entered the British film industry as an assistant to several English production designers. First for Stuart Craig
on Hugh Hudson’s “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes” and “Cal” (both 1984), then for Ashetton Gorton on Hudson’s “Revolution” the following year. He commenced his own production design career in TV commercials over a period of ten years from 1985 to 1995 (for such clients as Pepsi
, Nike
, Jeep
, Coke
and Levi’s), which led to his ongoing associations with directors Scott and Fincher.
Gladiator (2000 film)
Gladiator is a 2000 historical epic film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel and Richard Harris. Crowe portrays the loyal Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed...
(2000) and another for his Production Design on American Gangster (2007). In addition to his Oscar nominations, Max won several other honors for his production design on the film, including the BAFTA, the National Board of Review prize and the Broadcast Film Critics honor. He also collected the ‘Excellence in Production Design’ Award from the Art Directors Guild
Art Directors Guild
The Art Directors Guild is an American labor union and branch of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees representing almost 2,000 motion picture and television professionals....
, the first of four nominations he received (the other three for Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
’s “Black Hawk Down" and Robin Hood” and David Fincher’s “Panic Room”). Max has recently completed "Prometheus
Prometheus (film)
Prometheus is an upcoming science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba and Logan Marshall-Green. The film was originally intended as a direct prequel to the 1979 science fiction horror film Alien...
". The film marks Max’s eighth project for filmmaker Scott, a list of achievements which includes,” “Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of Heaven (film)
Kingdom of Heaven is a 2005 epic action film directed by Ridley Scott and written by William Monahan. It stars Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis, Marton Csokas, Brendan Gleeson, Kevin McKidd, Alexander Siddig, Ghassan Massoud, Edward Norton, Jon Finch, Michael Sheen and Liam...
,” “Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
" and the aforementioned “Black Hawk Down" and "Body of Lies
Body of Lies (film)
Body of Lies is a 2008 American spy film directed by Ridley Scott. Set in the Middle East, it follows the attempts of the CIA and Jordanian Intelligence to catch "al-Saleem", a fictional jihadist terrorist...
.” He designed Fincher’s 1994 thriller, “Se7en
Se7en
Seven is a 1995 American thriller film, which also contains horror and neo-noir elements, directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. It was distributed by New Line Cinema and stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, R...
.” The native New Yorker began his career as a stage lighting designer
Lighting designer
The role of the lighting designer within theatre is to work with the director, choreographer, set designer, costume designer, and sound designer to create an overall 'look' for the show in response to the text, while keeping in mind issues of visibility, safety and cost...
in the music industry following graduation from New York University in the late 1960s. Those assignments included work at Bill Graham’s famous music venue The Fillmore East in New York's East Village, and the historic Woodstock Festival of 1969 where he operated a spotlight for Chip Monck
Chip Monck
Chip Monck is a Tony Award winning lighting designer, most famously serving as the Master of Ceremonies at the 1969 Woodstock Festival.-Personal History:...
, a rock lighting and stage design company during the Woodstock festival in 1969. During the following decade, he designed concert lighting and festival stages for many rock and jazz artists. He was Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's lighting designer during the bands' tours in the US and around the world in the early 70's. After studying architecture in England (earning degrees in the early ‘80s from the Polytechnic of Central London
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
and the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
), Max went on to do several architectural design projects in London.
He entered the British film industry as an assistant to several English production designers. First for Stuart Craig
Stuart Craig
Norman Stuart Craig OBE is a noted British production designer.He has also designed the sets, together with his frequent collaborator set decorator Stephanie McMillan, on all of the Harry Potter film series films to date. At Potter author J. K...
on Hugh Hudson’s “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes” and “Cal” (both 1984), then for Ashetton Gorton on Hudson’s “Revolution” the following year. He commenced his own production design career in TV commercials over a period of ten years from 1985 to 1995 (for such clients as Pepsi
Pepsi
Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo...
, Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
, Jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
, Coke
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
and Levi’s), which led to his ongoing associations with directors Scott and Fincher.