Series:

The Crafts in Hollywood: Production Design

Topic:

Film and Television

Biographical Note:

Scenic artist and fine arts painter. Member of Scenic, Title, and Graphic Artists Council at the Art Directors Guild, as well as of the Art Directors Guild Board of Directors.

Interviewer:

Collings, Jane

Interviewee:

Fiorito, James V.

Persons Present:

Fiorito and Collings.

Place Conducted:

Fiorito's home in Santa Monica, California.

Supporting Documents:

Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library’s Center for Oral History Research.

Interviewer Background and Preparation:

The interview was conducted by Jane Collings, principal editor and interviewer, UCLA Center for Oral History Research; Ph.D., Critical Studies in Film and Television, UCLA.

Processing of Interview:

The interviewer prepared a timed log of the audio recording of the interview. Fiorito was given the opportunity to review the log in order to supply missing or misspelled names and to verify the accuracy of the content but made no changes.

Length:

1.5 hrs.

Language:

English

Copyright:

Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.

Audio:

Series Statement:

This series of interviews was undertaken in collaboration with the Art Directors Guild. Its aim is to document the lives and work of Guild members and staff who have made a significant contribution to film and television history. Interviews capture the work of title artists, set designers, art directors, production designers, and many other categories. The contribution of labor unions in shaping the conditions of the work is also addressed.

Grows up in San Diego area--Attends UCLA to study art and theater--Military service--Lives at The Property, an artists’ colony, in Malibu, for several years--Enters the entertainment business as a carpenter--Travels to Europe to see fine art--Joins the Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists’ Local 816 as a “student”--Works for Wilbur and Ward Ferrell--Techniques and processes used for scenic art--Becomes a journeyman in Local 816--Serves on executive board for Local 816, followed by a stint on the board of the Art Directors Guild, Local 800--Theme park work--Union policy regarding non-union productions.