GRANT MAJOR

  Production Designer

Last year Grant Major was nominated for both an Academy Award® and a BAFTA for his work as Production Designer on Peter Jackson's “King Kong.” Another nomination by the Art Director's Guild for the same film culminated in a 'Hollywood Production Designer of the year' gong for 2006.

Before this Major was nominated for three Academy Awards and three British Academy of Film Awards (BAFTA) for his work as a production designer on “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Major won an American Film Institute award for “The Fellowship of the Ring” as well as an Art Director’s Guild Award for “The Two Towers” and again for “The Return of the King.” Major finally claimed his Academy Award® and a Los Angeles Film Critics Society Award on the third installment of the trilogy “The Return of the King.” He was nominated by International Press Association for a Satellite Award in 2003 for both “The Return of the King” and his work as production designer on “Whale Rider,” winning for “The Return of the King.”

Previously, Major received a New Zealand Film and Television award for Best Design on Peter Jackson's “Heavenly Creatures” in 1995. Two years later Major picked up the same award for “The Ugly.”

Major's other film credits include Jackson's “The Frighteners,” “Memory and Desire,” “The Aberrations,” “Jack be Nimble,” “An Angel at my Table” and, as art director, for “Other Halves.” Major’s work as an art director for television includes telefilms "Hercules" and "The Grasscutter," the series "Hanlon," as well as commercials and news programs. Major also worked as a production designer on the telefilm "The Chosen."

Born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, Major’s career in design began at Television New Zealand. His background ranges from production design for Commonwealth Games ceremonies to designer for the New Zealand Pavilions at the World Expos to design consultant for the Louis Vitton 150th year party NY, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Paris. Major received an honorary doctorate from his alma mata The Auckland University of Technology.