A brand new documentary about legendary production designer Joe Alves, has launched a crowdfunding campaign.
He designed the shark for Jaws, “discovered” Devils Tower for Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, and provided the dystopian world for Escape From New York. His name is Alves, and he’s “NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE”.
As part of Filmumentaries™ continuing film history and preservation quest… this is a documentary about production designer Joe Alves and his journey through four decades of the movie industry. With interviews from some of the biggest names in Hollywood, we will look at the influence and the impact his incredible archive of work has had.
From beginnings at Disney animation and Universal Television to working for the biggest names in film, Joe Alves (now 86), was and still is a fiercely driven man. Born in 1930’s California, Joe was endowed with a drive to be the best at whatever he did. He utilised his skills in drawing, animation, design and architecture to work on some of cinema’s most iconic productions.
Working in Hollywood in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s Joe rubbed shoulders with just about everybody. Even finding time to introduce Paul Newman to another of Joe’s loves, motor racing.
Joe went from animating on Forbidden Planet and Sleeping Beauty to building up to forty sets a week for Universal on shows like The Psychiatrist and Rod Serling’s Night Gallery, to most famously designing the iconic Bruce the shark for Jaws. Leading to a years long working relationship with Steven Spielberg.
But it doesn’t end there… he has connections to just about everyone including Elvis Presley, Audrey Hepburn, James Stewart, Marlon Brando, James Dean, Goldie Hawn, John Carpenter and even… Herman Munster.
Joe’s impact can not be understated and thankfully he kept something from almost everything he worked on, leaving an incredible private archive of production material. Including original storyboards, blueprints, design sketches and photographs.
Find out more about Not Your Average Joe on Kickstarter.
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