2017 Sundance Docs in Focus: ABSTRACT: THE ART OF DESIGN

ABSTRACT: THE ART OF DESIGN
This new Netflix docuseries provides viewers with an in-depth look at today’s leading designers.

Festival Section:
Special Events

Program:
Docuseries Showcase

Sundance Program Description:

A look beyond blueprints and computers into the art and science of design, showcasing great designers from every discipline whose work shapes our world. The Festival will debut an episode focusing on graphic illustrator Christoph Niemann, who deals in equal parts irony, agony, and abstraction. His simple yet surprising designs can be found everywhere, including children’s books, computer apps, and covers of The New Yorker.

Some Background:
Director/Executive Producer:

• Morgan Neville
  Past Sundance docs:
  CHELSEA DOES (2016, executive producer)
  BEST OF ENEMIES (2015)
  20 FEET FROM STARDOM (2013)
  TROUBADOURS (2011)

  Neville won the Oscar for 20 FEET FROM STARDOM.
  

Producer:

• Marcella Steingart
  This is Steingart’s first Sundance credit. She has produced for television, including ICONOCLASTS for SundanceTV, and was a story producer for Neville’s recent doc KEITH RICHARDS: UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
  

Associate Producers:

• Emma Baiada and Laila Kabbaj
  This project is the first for both at Sundance. Baiada is part of Neville’s Tremolo Productions staff, while Kabbaj has a background in producing for National Geographical Channel.
  

Executive Producers:

• Scott Dadich
  This is also the first film project for the former WIRED editor-in-chief, who just stepped down after four years at the magazine’s helm.

• Dave O’Connor
  Past Sundance docs:
  WHITEY: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA V JAMES J BULGER

  @radical.media’s O’Connor also served as an executive producer for KEITH RICHARDS.
  

Editor:

• Jason Zeldes
  Past Sundance docs:
  CHELSEA DOES
  RACING EXTINCTION (2015)
  20 FEET FROM STARDOM
  THE INVISIBLE WAR (2012, assistant editor)
  

Why You Should Watch:
Neville crafts an enjoyable and playful portrait of Niemann, cleverly employing animation and other graphics to bring the unassuming designer’s inventive work to life for the screen.

More Info:
For Sundance screening dates and times, click the film title in the first paragraph.

To experience the festival through the eyes of this year’s filmmakers, follow my Sundance 2017 Twitter list.