#18 - Peter Lamont, Legendary Set Designer on Building Titanic & 18 James Bond Movies, James Cameron, Teamwork, Smuggling Props Across The Mexican Border, and Getting Hijacked by Terrorists on a Real Plane

Red Carpet Rookies

What you’re about to listen to is a piece of film history. This episode’s guest Peter Lamont was recognized as one of the world’s greatest Production Designers helping to design the sets of 18 James Bond movies, James Cameron’s aliens and even Titanic for which he was awarded an Oscar. He was known by all he interacted with for his gentlemanly demeanour, fairness to crew and genuine creative mastery. When I recorded this episode in November last year, Peter was 91 years old, and the following month, he very sadly passed away. This podcast stands as his last recorded interview. I’d like to thank my friend and Peter’s daughter, mads for her help in making it happen. Though I only spent a short time with Peter, I could tell that all the stories I’d heard of his kindness were true. I hope this interview does you and your family proud. Now please enjoy lessons for life and stories of Hollywood from a verified cinema legend. Thank you for your time, Peter. It was an honour.
In today's episode we discuss:
(02:51) How Peter came into the film business
(06:52) What the industry was like when Peter started
(07:54) What Peter would tell that 20-year-old version of himself.
(09:43) How the the industry is changing
(11:19) How to be a great department head and leader
(14:15) Peter's advice for those wanting to join the art department
(16:45) What it was like working with the James Bond crew and legendary Producer Cubby Broccoli.
(18:21) What made Cubbby Broccoli such an incredible producer
(22:53) Peter's experience designing the sets of James Bond Goldfinger
(30:54) The crazy real story of Peter being caught on a hijacked plane!
(36:04) How Peter met James Cameron
(37:29) Why James Cameron has something special
(41:38) Working on Titanic with Jim Cameron
(45:15) The lunacy of building Titanic
(47:22) Peter's experience winning an Oscar
(51:24) Building Leavesden Studios on James Bond
(52:48) Quickfire questionnaire
If you enjoyed this episode you'll enjoy this episode with Lord of The Rings Production Designer, Grant Major.
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