Overview
Stephen B. Grimes started working in the British film industry after the war as a sketch-artist. From the mid 50s to the late 60s, Grimes worked almost exclusively with John Huston. Their longer term collaboration resulted in 14 films in over 30 years.
Grimes also had a fruitful long-term working relationship with Sydney Pollack, making 7 films with him.
Grimes also worked with directors David Lean, Peter Yates, Mark Rydell and Ulu Grosbard.
One of his great strengths as a Production Designer was his skill as an artist: in researching and preparing a film he would produce many beautiful, dramatic and atmospheric sketches. These would help the Director and Director of Photography (and other key personnel) to create the visual style and look of a film. Grimes understood the importance of light, space and texture – he put more into his sketches than most art directors – and tended to make sketches as much as or more than take photographs. He was not lavish, he liked the challenge of getting a good visual look with essentials – combining observation and imagination. Grimes was conscientious with high standards and poured himself into his work.
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