Kristi Zea has enjoyed a remarkably illustrious and extended career, stretching out over a period of more than three decades, within the realm of contemporary cinema, garnering widespread recognition and acclaim as a production designer, costume designer, and producer, respectively, for a multitude of prominent and influential feature films, spanning the entirety of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.
Kristi, a highly accomplished production designer, has had the privilege of lending her expertise to a plethora of renowned films, leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. Her extensive portfolio boasts an impressive array of iconic projects, including the 1989 collaborative effort, New York Stories, directed by the esteemed Martin Scorsese.
Kristi's illustrious career has been marked by an impressive array of collaborations with esteemed directors, including the inimitable Jonathan Demme, with whom she has worked on a diverse range of projects, each showcasing her remarkable skill and expertise in the realm of production design.
One of her earliest and most notable collaborations with Demme was on the 1988 film "Married to the Mob", a crime comedy-drama that demonstrated Kristi's ability to craft visually striking environments that perfectly captured the film's offbeat tone and style.
Over the years, Kristi has continued to work with Demme on a wide range of projects, including the critically acclaimed and Oscar-winning films "Beloved" (1998),"The Silence of the Lambs" (1991),and "Philadelphia" (1993). Each of these films has showcased Kristi's remarkable talent for creating immersive and thought-provoking environments that draw the viewer in and refuse to let go.
In addition to her work with Demme, Kristi has also collaborated with other renowned directors, including Jonathan Levine on the 2004 thriller "The Manchurian Candidate". This film, which stars Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep, is a gripping and suspenseful exploration of the darker side of human nature, and features Kristi's stunning production design, which perfectly captures the film's tense and foreboding atmosphere.
Kristi's impressive production design credits extend to a diverse range of films, showcasing her versatility and expertise in the field. Her notable works include Barry Levinson's critically acclaimed drama, Sleepers, released in 1996. She also collaborated with Brett Ratner on the suspenseful thriller, Red Dragon, which hit theaters in 2002. Additionally, Kristi worked with Roger Michelle on the gripping drama, Changing Lanes, the same year.
Furthermore, Kristi's production design skills were showcased in Neil Jordan's powerful drama, The Brave One, released in 2007. Her work also appeared in Kasi Lemmon's heartwarming musical drama, Black Nativity, which premiered in 2013. Nancy Meyers' comedy-drama, The Intern, featuring a star-studded cast, was another notable project Kristi was involved in, released in 2015.
Kristi's impressive filmography also includes the indie comedy-drama, The Comedian, starring the legendary Robert DeNiro, which was released in 2016. Moreover, her production design skills were utilized in Sam Mendes' critically acclaimed drama, Revolutionary Road, which earned an Oscar nomination in 2008.
Kristi's impressive portfolio extends far beyond her accomplished career as a production designer, as she has also demonstrated her remarkable skillset as a costume designer in a multitude of notable films. Among her most notable costume design credits are her collaborations with renowned directors such as Alan Parker, James L. Brooks, and Larry Kasdan.
Kristi, a renowned producer, has had the privilege of working alongside the esteemed James L. Brooks on two notable projects. The first of these collaborations was the 1987 film Broadcast News, a critically acclaimed production that showcased Kristi's exceptional skills in the field of film production.
Fast forward to the late 1990s, Kristi again joined forces with James L. Brooks, this time for the 1997 film As Good As It Gets, a romantic comedy-drama that garnered widespread critical acclaim and earned a nomination for the prestigious Academy Award for Best Picture.
Kristi has not only explored the realm of television and documentary film as a director, but has also made a notable mark in this medium, boasting an impressive array of credits to her name.
Kristi's extensive documentary credits feature a notable showcase of her work, with a standout example being Everybody Knows...Elizabeth Murray (2016),a documentary that made its world premiere at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival and is now available for streaming on KinoNow, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with this remarkable film.
In addition to Everybody Knows...Elizabeth Murray, Kristi's documentary repertoire also includes a captivating short documentary, Talking Pictures (2020),which boasts an impressive cast, featuring the esteemed Bob Holman, the husband of the celebrated artist Elizabeth Murray, as well as an extraordinary ekphrastic poet in his own right.
She is presently occupying a dual role, serving as both the co-director and producer of a forthcoming documentary film titled On Tap, which is slated for release in the year 2024. This ambitious project is being undertaken in collaboration with Karen Goodmen, a renowned filmmaker who has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including Emmys and Oscars. The documentary is set to star the talented Michela Marino Lerman, who is sure to bring her exceptional acting skills to the screen.
