“MERCE WAS NOMINATED FOR AN ART DIRECTOR’S GUILD AWARD – for “AMERICAN GRIT”

“Twelve years ago, I created my own production design company, MerceDesigns, a company that designs for film, theater, music videos, and print. I have been lucky enough to gather a merry band of talented carpenters, dressers, decorators and artists that really have fun together and like to work hard!  The challenges that you offer, are what motivate us.  Each time we try to push the limits, to create work that is provocative, elegant, innovative, and cost effective.

            Our television work is extensive. We’ve been working hard the in the last couple of years, finishing THE SECRET LIFE OF KIDS for USA, AMERICAN GRIT and HOME FREE for FOX, BBC’S MUD, SWEAT AND GEARS, MTV’s ARE YOU THE ONE, and FOOD NETWORK STAR in its 11th season. I started working in reality television as an assistant art director on BIGGEST LOSER season 1, back in 2004.   By 2007, I designed my first reality show, SCOTT BAIO IS SINGLE AND 45 for VH1.  We have designed everything from SHAQ VS, a huge ABC show, scaled for gigantic stadiums, to DANCE MOMS and Abby Lee Miller’s travelling makeovers show for dance studios. We have a longstanding relationship with Food Network, where we were given the opportunity to design RESTAURANT EXPRESS with Robert Irvine, SWEET GENIUS, and RACHAEL VS. GUY: CELEBRITY COOK-OFF. 

A project close to my heart is THE PEOPLE SPEAK, a commission from producers Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chris Moore. The show was a look at America’s struggles with war, class, race and women’s rights based on Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of The United States”, and headlined Bruce Springsteen, Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, Josh Brolin, Viggo Mortensen, and Marissa Tomei. It aired on the History Channel 2009–2011.

Our film HUNGRY HEARTS, the latest of our nine independent features, won Best New Film at the Hollywood Film Festival. IT’S NOT YOU IT’S ME won best feature film at the Madrid International Film Festival, ES 2014.  Our Commercials include Dolly Parton’s 9 TO 5, Philips Widescreen Television, the Salvation Army, and KB Homes.

Our largest theater commission was Van Sun Entertainment, THE MISS VIETNAM AMERICAN PAGEANT, where 60 women descended two spiral staircases around a 40-foot Liberty torch.  Built in LA, a crew of 45 and two semi-trucks were required to assemble and transport it to San Jose and on to the national pageant in Houston. We created the Exterior French Street for Sony’s American Independent Commercial Producers’ Party in the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport attended by some 3000 guests.

Visit mercedesigns.com to view my work and portfolio.  Then give me a call and let’s discuss how we can work together to bring your next production to the screen!”

MERCEDES YOUNGER