Glavonja
Position: Art Director
Director: Marina Andree Škop & Vanda Raýmanova
Production designer: Stefano Katunar
Production companies: PomPom Film, Objectif, Senca Studio, Air Productions
O’Dessa
Position: Art Director
Director: Geremy Jasper
Production designer: Scott Dougan
Supervising Art Director : Damir Gabelica
Production companies: Searchlight, Embassy Studio
THE STORY
A farm girl in search to recover a cherished family heirloom. She travels to a strange and dangerous city where she meets her one true love. To save his soul, she must put the power of destiny to the ultimate test.
The Ipcress File
Position: Assistant Art Director
Director: James Watkins
Production Designer: James Price
Supervising Art Director: Ivan Veljača
Production companies: Altitude Television, ITV Studios
THE STORY
Set against the Cold War backdrop of the 1960s, “The Ipcress File” follows Harry Palmer, a British sergeant turned reluctant spy to evade military imprisonment. Palmer embarks on a global undercover mission when a crucial British nuclear scientist disappears. Racing against time, he strives to prevent vital information from falling into the wrong hands and triggering a catastrophic global event. Based on Len Deighton’s 1962 novel, this espionage thriller weaves a tale of suspense, betrayal, and high-stakes drama as Palmer navigates a perilous world of international intrigue.
BEHIND THE SCENES
As the Assistant Art Director on “The Ipcress File,” I played a crucial role in overcoming numerous challenges from a tight schedule. My responsibilities included drafting all sets, working out intricate details, coordinating visual projects, overseeing art department activities, and collaborating closely with the graphic designer. Additionally, I delved into extensive historical period research to ensure the sets were crafted with authenticity. The result is a series that masterfully weaves a tale of suspense, betrayal, and high-stakes drama, offering viewers an immersive experience in the perilous world of international intrigue.
Strike back
Position: Assistant Art Director, Set designer
Production Designer: Robert Foster
Supervising Art Director: Bill Brown, Damir Gabelica
Production company: Left Bank Pictures, Embassy films
THE STORY
“Strike Back,” an exhilarating British/American action-adventure/spy-drama television series, brought its explosive eighth season to life, entirely filmed against the picturesque backdrop of Croatia. Based on the 2007 novel by Chris Ryan, a former Special Air Service soldier, the series delves into high-stakes espionage and thrilling adventures.
BEHIND THE SCENES
In the final season, we embarked on a unique journey, exploring forgotten locations that added an extra layer of authenticity to the narrative. From the historic Hospital Blato in Zagreb to the politics school in Kumrovec and the Pan paper factory, each location played a pivotal role in creating the dynamic and visually stunning world of “Strike Back.” Joining the production team as a Set Designer, I soon found myself in the role of Assistant Art Director.
With a passion for precision, I meticulously drew up detailed construction plans and collaborated with the construction manager to supervise the build of the sets assigned to me. This experience offered a profound opportunity to work closely with the SFX, Stunt, and Light departments, immersing myself in the artistry and magic of filmmaking.
The challenges were significant, considering it was my first major job. We navigated a juxtaposition of clean spaces with custom-made lightboxes for ambient scenes while also creating chaotic wastelands and messy sets that often met explosive fates by the end. Despite the challenges, the process was immensely rewarding. I reveled in the creative exchange with my team, translating ideas into designs and witnessing the transformation of my drawings into tangible, cinematic realities.
Riesending
Position: Assistant Art Director
Production Designer: Maria Gruber
Supervising Art Director: Dubravko Djuran
Designer Assistant: Antoinette Höring
THE STORY
Embark on a gripping journey into the heart of Berchtesgaden’s Riesending shaft cave in this intense drama. In the gripping narrative of the movie, a speleologist faces a life-threatening accident deep within the cave, leaving him stranded at a bone-chilling depth of over 1000 meters. Reaching this ominous spot is not just a mere depth; it’s a daunting 26-kilometer odyssey through the unforgiving and hostile cave environment. The clock is ticking, and a team of cavers, doctors, experts, and volunteers unite in a race against time to rescue him.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Venturing into the cold and moist depths of the cave became more than just a film project—it was a transformative experience. Surrounded by darkness, I emerged with sharpened problem-solving skills and a newfound comfort zone beyond the ordinary. From mapping the uncharted to overseeing the creation of construction elements and managing water-draining operations (read: escapades), witness the challenges faced and overcome in making this extraordinary film. Or how we would say – turning cave chaos into movie magic 🙂
Join us as we unveil the triumphs and tribulations of survival on and off the screen. “Riesending” is not just a movie; it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of darkness.
Jack Ryan 4
Position: Assistant Art Director
Production Designer: Derek R. Hill
Supervising Art Director: John Richardson
Supervising Art Director: Damir Gabelica
Production company: Paramount TV, Platinum Dunes, Amazon Studios
THE STORY
“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” is the American political action thriller that takes CIA analyst Jack Ryan on a high-stakes journey from desk duty to the heart of a deadly international conspiracy. As the plot unfolds across Europe and the Middle East, a rising terrorist threat puts the U.S. and its allies on the brink.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Designing the Ryanverse
Part of this thrilling series was brought to life against the picturesque backdrop of Dubrovnik. I was assigned to be the creative force and lead a team of draftspersons on this project. and appointed to oversee the development of designs, drawings, 3D models, and visualizations. In the ever-evolving landscape of the shoot, last-minute changes and uncertain locations became the norm. Yet, this dynamic environment fueled creativity, allowing us to interpolate structures into new settings with ingenious adjustments seamlessly. Every change was an opportunity for innovation because in the world of Jack Ryan, adaptability and creativity go hand in hand.
Vikings Valhalla S3
Position: Art Director
Director: David Frazee
Production Designer: Tom Conroy
Supervising Art Director: Jon Beer, Damir Gabelica
Production companies: Netflix
THE STORY
In Vikings: Valhalla Season 3, the historic streets of Dubrovnik, Croatia, served as the canvas for a gripping saga set in the early 11th century. As the Art Director, my role was pivotal in bringing the production designer’s vision to life.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Tasked with supervising a team of draftsmen, we meticulously translated design briefs into construction drawings and handcrafted designs. This process, reminiscent of a time-traveling experience, immersed us in the challenges of creating props and dressing using old-school methods, capturing the authenticity of the era. Vikings: Valhalla Season 3 stands as a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship that went into recreating a vivid and historically accurate world where legendary heroes fight for their beliefs, territory, and legacy.
ZE Network
Position: Assistant Art Director CRO
Director: Christian Alvart
Production companys: CBS Studios, Syrreal Entertainment, RTL+, Blue Sky Adriatic
THE STORY
ZE Network is a comedy thriller featuring the iconic David Hasselhoff as the unsuspecting protagonist. The plot starts with Hoff’s arrival in Germany, expecting a grand East Berlin theater debut only to find himself entangled in a web of Cold War-era conspiracies, all set against the backdrop of the charming town of Görlitz. As Hasselhoff unwittingly becomes the center of a Cold War conspiracy, the fabric of reality unravels around him, creating a comically chaotic atmosphere. Through the lens of laughter, the series explores Hoff’s unlikely heroics in the face of espionage and absurdity.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Pula’s Explosive Opener:
The series kicks off with a bang in Pula, Croatia, as action scenes unfold with controlled explosions, daring car chases, and stunts that set the tone for the uproarious adventure ahead.
The team ventured into Pula, orchestrating controlled explosions and executing daring car chases and stunts. The result is a blend of thrilling action and side-splitting comedy that defines the unique charm of the series. It is a ride in a world where reality bends, laughter reigns, and the Hoff proves that even in the midst of chaos, he can handle it with humor and flair.
Zimna Wojna (Cold War)
Position: Assistant Art Director CRO
Director: Pawel Pawlikowski
Production designer: Marcel Slawinski, Katarzyna Sobanska
Production companies: Opus Film, Polish Film Institute, Kinorama
THE STORY
“Cold War” (Polish: Zimna wojna) is a 2018 historical drama film helmed by Paweł Pawlikowski. As my inaugural major film project, I was thrilled to serve as the assistant art director for the Croatian segment. Set against the backdrop of Poland and France during the Cold War, the narrative revolves around a musical director (Tomasz Kot) who discovers a young singer (Joanna Kulig), delving into their enduring love story spanning the late 1940s to the 1960s.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Embarking on this cinematic journey was both exhilarating and demanding. In Croatia, my responsibilities included wrapping an entire moving train, strategically “planting” palm trees in Split Theatre square, and constructing a house by the train station to conceal an existing PVC cafe. The challenges were numerous, but the prospect of collaborating with an Oscar-winning director made every second of this cinematic journey even more exciting.
IVANA PATRICIA ĐILAS ČERANIĆ | +385915863929 | creatizia.eu | ivanapatriciadc@gmail.com | IMDb
