- "The key to set decoration is noticing the little things."
- — Stephenie McMillan
Stephenie McMillian (20 July 1942 - 19 August 2013) was the set decorator for the all the Harry Potter films.
Early life[]
Stephenie was born in Ilford, Essex, to a toy wholesaler, Leslie Gardner, and his wife, Joan. On leaving Woodford high school for girls, she worked as a secretary in the London office of the architects Stillman & Eastwick-Field. It was there, she often said, that she learned to appreciate space and design.[1]
Career[]
Stephenie started her career as freelance stylist and spent much time working with photographer Michael Boys on photo shoots for interior design magazines. With the skills she learned there -- how to arrange furniture for photo spreads in magazines -- McMillan segued into decorating for television commercials and then film sets.[3]
Throughout her film career, Stephenie worked with fellow production designer Stuart Craig on 16 of the 28 films she worked on.
Harry Potter series[]
For a decade, beginning with "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001), McMillan dedicated herself to creating on-screen interpretations of author J.K. Rowling's imagination -- Dolores Umbridge's ornate and way-too-pink office, the tangled tower of chairs in the Room of Requirement and Harry's cramped cupboard under the stairs.[3]
Death[]
Stephenie died at the age of 71 due to complications from ovarian cancer at her home in Norfolk, England on 19 August 2013.[1]
External links[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Stephenie McMillan obituary" from The Guardian
- ↑ Stephenie McMillan's profile on IMDb
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Stephenie McMillain, 1942 - 2013: Set designer for 'Harry Potter' from the Los Angeles Times