Interview: ‘Spencer’ production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas on turning Sandringham into a house of horror [VIDEO]

What went into transforming Sandringham House into a setting straight out of The Shining? That accomplishment – and any others relating to the audacious art direction in Pablo Larraín’s Spencer – can be attributed to prolific production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas, who was as essential to Spencer‘s success at showing a different side of Princess Diana and the Royal Family as anyone involved with the film.

As a two-time Oscar nominee (once in 2010, for Christopher Nolan’s Inception, and once in 2016, for Morten Tyldum’s Passengers) and two-time ADG winner (also for Inception and Passengers), Dyas is a known name to many in the film community for his continually creative production design, delivering in several different genres (sci-fi with the two aforementioned films, fantasy with The Cell and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and so on and so forth). However, just because Spencer represents one of his most intimate efforts to date, that doesn’t make it any less exemplary.

Already finding acclaim for his wondrously imaginative work in Pablo Larraín’s latest historical lark, Dyas took the time to talk about his contributions to the film with Awards Watch, discussing how they matched Diana’s moods with the sets in each scene, created locations they’d never seen before (such as Diana’s childhood home), and designed that delicious food Diana and the Royal Family devour.

Spencer is currently in theaters from NEON.

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Zoë Rose Bryant

Though Zoë Rose Bryant has only worked in film criticism for a little under three years – turning a collegiate passion into a full-time career by writing for outlets such as Next Best Picture, AwardsWatch, and Loud and Clear Reviews – her captivation with cinema has been a lifelong fascination, appreciating film in all its varying forms, from horror movies to heartfelt romantic comedies and everything in between. Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, she made the move to Los Angeles in 2021 after graduating from college and now spends her days additionally working as a List Editor and occasional writer for Screen Rant (as she attempts to attend every screening under the sun). As a trans critic, she also seeks to champion underrepresented voices in the LGBTQ+ community in film criticism and offer original insight on how gender and sexuality are explored in modern entertainment. You can find Zoë Rose on Twitter at @ZoeRoseBryant.

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