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Exclusive: ‘Luke Cage’s Production Designer Toni Barton Talks Creating Alternate Reality Through Set Design

by Betti Halsell

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When dissecting a cinematic body of work, one would cut into formations of people who create an alternate reality. The script works as the spine, keeping the structure of a project together, and the production designer heads the impetus of the written reality.  

Production designer Toni Barton constructed environments that pull the audience into the story. Her transformative abilities have been featured on television, film, and theatre sets. Barton has curated the atmosphere for Marvel’s Jessica Jones, Dare Devil, and Netflix’s Luke Cage series, to name a few.  

We conducted an exclusive interview with the scenic visionary, discussing her journey, passion, and the mindset needed to pursue this career path.

“Everything starts with the written word; there would be no need for design if there was no script,” Barton said, reflecting on the significance of a written outline of a scene. She elaborated on different aspects of filmmaking, calling it a “collaborative effort.”

A production designer absorbs the idea of where a story occurs, takes the proposed setting, and interprets it into physical placement. The painting in one’s mind formulates into the physical world. The seamless performance of a film or play is held together by the set, which the production designer cultivates. Barton developed an eye for what sits in the background and provided a window into what she sees.

Breaking down the process of taking the narrative and breathing life into it, Barton starts with absorbing the scene from reading the script and then diving into the research. After gathering the bones of the project, the architecture can begin. Barton oversees the role of art, sets the direction to build out these worlds, and shares creative synergy with the production’s buyers, graphic designers, illustrators, and many more to tell the given story.

Barton’s introduction to her future career path started on the University of Southern California (USC) campus, where she pursued her degree in architecture. While in school, her friends would call on her to capture scenes of their plays and short films.

 After earning her degree at USC, she looked for specialized theatre training at New York University (NYU), entering a graduate program in set design and art direction. Barton honed her skills to create sceneries for stage and film production.

By her third union film as an assistant art director, Barton’s skills and confidence matured. She worked with veterans of the business, and they took Barton under their tutelage. With real-time hands-on experience, they shaped the rising creative to become the profound designer she is today.

According to Barton, a production designer’s role calls for interest in fashion, art history, and architecture, “Understanding history and helping to tell that story helps us build character, so anybody interested in any aspect of history, sociology, architecture, art, fashion and […] how to tell a story, would potentially be interested in this and more importantly have that skill set to then tell that story.”   

Barton reflected on a moment in her early career development when a friend told her, “when you become a production designer—that’s when you will really make it.” Barton responded with the reassurance that she was exactly where she needed to be at that time – an assistant art director. She owned her current placement, taking the first steps into her journey. Eventually, Barton went from being an assistant art director to becoming an art director while simultaneously teaching at NYU. Later, through her accumulated experience, she became a production designer.  

Getting to that final point takes time, and not everyone understands or is prepared for it, “People think when you get out of school, you have to instantaneously have this title, or you’re not making it.” On the contrary, Barton said, the beginning stages of one’s career are rich with people who are experts, willing to garnish a young mind with wisdom to build a force around their talent.

Passing the torch, in conjunction with being an art director, Barton taught theatre design at NYU for 18 years. “By far, that has been the most rewarding thing I could ever say and do,” she said. The production designer continued to explain the passion of being an art designer while taking it to an academic setting. Her hope is for younger students to identify this as a viable career and be drawn to the scenic route, especially students of color. “I desire more people to know about it younger, in essence, to know every single aspect of design,” she concluded.

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Most Memorable Moments From the 82nd Golden Globes

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Golden Globes

It’s a wrap for the 2025 Golden Globe Awards. This year’s ceremony occurred at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, hosting many of Hollywood’s biggest names. From the most iconic looks to the funniest encounters and historic wins, here are the most memorable moments from the 82nd Golden Globes.

Zendaya showed off a gorgeous $200,000 engagement ring while walking the red carpet.

Zendaya’s red carpet appearance at this year’s Golden Globes turned many heads (as usual), but this time for more than just her stunning look.

Multiple cameras captured the sparkling $200K diamond ring the “Dune” star was wearing on her engagement finger, which fueled speculation that the 28-year-old might be secretly engaged to her long-time boyfriend, Tom Holland.

TMZ reported this morning that the couple is indeed engaged. According to the publication, sources close to the couple have confirmed that “the’ Spider-Man ‘ star popped the question between Christmas and New Year’s… dropping to one knee in a very intimate setting in one of Zendaya’s family homes in the United States.” 👀💍

Anthony Mackie hilariously crashes Sebastian Stan’s Golden Globes Post-Win Interview.

Anthony Mackie took over Sebastian Stan’s post-win interview with ET’s Nischelle Turner. ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ co-stars caught up after Stan won Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical or Comedy for ‘A Different Man’ at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.

Vin Diesel had a brief and awkward interaction with Dwayne Johnson

Vin Diesel made sure to give a quick “hey” to “Fast and Furious” co-star Dwayne Johnson when he took the stage to present the award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement at last night’s Golden Globes👀

“Hey, Dwayne,” Diesel awkwardly said, smiling, while Johnson responded with a quick and subtle smile.

For context, Diesel and Johnson have been on good terms for the last few years despite their infamous feud, which lasted roughly nine years and involved disagreements during the production of “Fast 8.”

A source told People magazine in 2016 that “Vin has been having problems with The Rock because The Rock keeps showing up late for production. ” The source also explained that “sometimes he doesn’t show up at all, and he’s delaying the production.”

That same year, Johnson wrote (in a since-deleted Instagram post), “There’s no other franchise that gets my blood boiling more than this one…. My female co-stars are always amazing, and I love ’em. My male co-stars, however, are a different story. Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t,” he continued. “The ones that don’t are too chicken s— to do anything about it anyway. Candy a-—. When you watch this movie next April and it seems like I’m not acting in some of these scenes and my blood is legit boiling — you’re right.”

Later, in June of 2023, Johnson announced that Luke Hobbs would return to the Fast and Furious franchise (for FastX: Part II) via a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). He added, “Last summer, Vin and I put all the past behind us. We’ll lead with brotherhood and resolve – and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love. “

Zoe Saldana won her first-ever Golden Globe Award for “Emilia Perez.”

Zoe Saldana won her first-ever Golden Globe for Female Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for her role as Rita Mora Castro in Jacques Audiard’s avant-garde film Emilia Pérez.

The actress honored her fellow castmates in an emotional and moving speech.

“I don’t have much time, and I have dyslexia, so I tend to forget when I’m really anxious and I’m filled with adrenaline, but my heart is full of gratitude,” Saldana kicked off her speech. “Thank you so much to the Golden Globes for celebrating our film and honoring the women of Emilia Pérez. This is the first time for me, and I’m just so blessed that I’m sharing this moment with Selena, and Karla, and Jacque, and all of my fellow nominees. I’m in awe of you, your strength, your complexity, and your undeniable talent.”

Morris Chestnut attended his first Golden Globes, accompanied by his wife of 30 years, Pam Byse-Chestnut.

Morris and Pam Chestnut showed up and showed out for their first Golden Globe Awards. The couple, who tied the knot in 1995, will celebrate 30 years of marriage this year!

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“P. Diddy: The Making of The Bad Boy”: The Dark Side of Diddy’s Empire Revealed in New Documentary

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Diddy: The Making Of The Bad Boy

The trailer for “P. Diddy: The Making of The Bad Boy,” a new documentary set to premiere on Peacock, has dropped.

The 90-minute documentary gives an unfiltered look into the life and career of Sean “Diddy” Combs, from his early years to his current legal battles. It explores Combs’ transformation through the years, from his beginnings as Puff Daddy to his later persona, Diddy. The doc delves into the forces that shaped him, both the triumphs and the controversies, portraying a narrative that aims to challenge public perceptions of the mogul.

The trailer features exclusive interviews with individuals from the mogul’s inner circle, including childhood friends, his former bodyguard, and participants from his reality show “Making the Band.” Notably, Al B. Sure!, a former labelmate at Uptown Records and once involved with Kim Porter before she dated Combs, also speaks out about his relationship with Diddy for the first time.

Those shown in the documentary discuss Diddy’s rise to fame and the darker allegations that have come to light in recent years. Anonymous sources featured in the film claim to have witnessed troubling incidents, including the suggestion of underage involvement in what is referred to as “red rooms,” where the lighting cues were allegedly used to signal sexual activities.

“P. Diddy: The Making of The Bad Boy” is slated on January 14, while Combs is facing significant legal challenges, including charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, with his trial set for May 2025.

Watch the explosive trailer below.

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Denzel Washington Talks ‘Black Panther 3’ and Retirement

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With the ‘Gladiator 2’ premiere date fast approaching, Denzel Washington has been on the road promoting the highly anticipated sequel. During one of the interviews, the actor, who stars as Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s action epic, revealed that he plans to retire once he completes a number of exciting upcoming projects, including “Black Panther 3.”

Denzel Washington as Macrinus in “Gladiator II”

In an interview with Today on Australia’s Channel 9, which has now gone viral, Washington detailed his plan for accomplishing his retirement goals.

“At this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best.” The 69-year-old movie legend said. “I don’t know how many more movies I’m gonna make. probably not that many. I wanna do things I haven’t done.”

“I played Othello at 22, I’m about to play Othello at 70.” He continued, “After that, I am playing Hannibal. After that I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next “Black Panther.” After that, I’m gonna do the film “Othello.” After that, I’m gonna do “King Lear.” After that, I’m gonna retire.”

‘Gladiator II’ will be released in theaters on November 22, 2024. 

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