Oral Histories

Interview of Patrick DeGreve

Scenic artist at CBS Television City for over forty years; past president of Local 816, Scenic, Title, and Graphic Artists.
Series:
The Crafts in Hollywood: Production Design
Topic:
Film and Television
Biographical Note:
Scenic artist at CBS Television City for over forty years; past president of Local 816, Scenic, Title, and Graphic Artists.
Interviewer:
Collings, Jane
Interviewee:
DeGreve, Patrick
Persons Present:
DeGreve and Collings.
Place Conducted:
CBS Television City in Los Angeles, 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. DeGreve 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:
3.5 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.
Family background—Grandfather’s career as an actor--Early interest in art and music--Participation in union negotiations--Early days working as a scenic artist--Begins building guitars to give to children.
Works on sets for Carol Burnett--Good working relationships on Three’s Company and Archie Bunker’s Place—The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour--The atmosphere on The Carol Burnett Show—Daughter’s interest in animals--Harvey Johnson, an accomplished colorist--Changes in the focus of the work over the years.