Art of design

Ruwini Jayawardana

An important work of art creates polemics. Such is the case of the stunning set designs created by renowned Art Director Errol Kelly. Recently rumours had it that the globally renowned Art Director was fired from the projects and that it is actually the draftsman who designed the scenery.

“I have the titles of the movies which they have mentioned. If such an incident had occurred the filmmakers would not have given me credit. I have documents to prove that I am the designer of those movies,” Kelly said displaying a list of the titles in which he had been the Art Director, Production Designer, Set Director and Costume Designer.

Recalling his roots in the arts stream Kelly said that he had first started off with a television series called Elephant Boy.

“Later I worked on the sets of Lester James Peries’ The God King with Dharmasena Hemapala who was the designer. I also worked under a lot of foreign designers and Art Directors,” he expressed on how he honed his skills.

He says that he found it easy working with directors like Peries and Steven Spielberg because they knew their stuff.

Art direction is not only a matter of the creative bent mind. You need to study about the cultures, traditions and architecture of a county to weave the element into the backdrop of a film.

“I had to visit Benares before designing the sets for Water. The city is symbolised by its ghats. Our sets were influenced by what we experienced. I decided on the set and handed it over to my draftsman who transformed the visions in my mind to paper. We created the city by the Ganges in the Bolgoda Lake on the outskirts of Colombo,” he said adding that Mother Theresa was a challenging project as the city of Calcutta had to be fabricated in Sri Lanka.

Some of those he had worked with were so impressed with his creations that they kept asking him to work with them over and over again. He had recently returned from Maladives where he had designed the sets for Dream Hotel Maldives.

“Deepa and I are fully aware that without your contribution and passion for this film we would not be here today and for that we are extremely grateful to you all. Errol, your design of the ghats and other locations was absolutely stunning and many have commented on it. You are a true talent,” Producer David Hamilton once commended Kelly on his exceptional designs.

According to the multi talented artiste an eye for locations, knowledge on art and culture as well as colour balancing techniques are essential to make it to the top as an Art Director.

Out of all his works in local movies he is most satisfied with the one he did for Kaliyugaya and Himakathana, both for which he had won accolades.

His plan for Ranmihitenna rooted from visiting studios around the world.

Queried if Sri Lanka is ready to be the hot spot film shooting location Kelly said that he had no doubt about the matter. Out of the foreign films Mother Theresa and Beyond Rangoon hold a special place in his career.

“Filmmakers bring their team with them. We work according to their requirements. We have scenic locations and our technicians have knowledge. Most of the directors visit Sri Lanka in search of wilderness, rivers and ancient buildings. We will be taking on a German movie set in the 1920s towards the end of the year,” he concluded.