Meet Maizy Zenger | Production Designer, Photographer, and Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maizy Zenger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maizy, why did you pursue a creative career?
Like many people leaving high school, I struggled with finding my path in life. Despite my lifelong gravitational pull towards art in all its forms, I was silly enough to be caught up in the idea that a career in it simply wasn’t feasible, that it was too grand for me; when I decided to apply to the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts I had already applied to every single other choice of mine as a Biology or Environmental Sciences major. Knowing my odds, I told myself that if I was accepted I would take it as a sign that it was meant to be. Although it’s obvious how this story ended (I’m attending my dream school!), I will say that opening my acceptance email from the School of Cinematic Arts cemented a fate for me that I never thought possible: one where I have the privilege of spending every day in pursuit of art, collaborating with and learning from my peers and fellow artists; One that simply makes perfect sense.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Although I am an avid lover of art in all of its mediums, being a Production Designer is a discipline that I feel has always been under the surface for me, and was awakened during my time crewing on projects within the Art Department and taking courses on Film/Artistic Design. Growing up, I was fairly shy and much preferred to quietly and meticulously arrange my toys into ornate living scenes in my room, manufacturing fictional dreamscapes mimicking the real world with lumps of inanimate acrylic, wood, and fabric; I vividly remember my mother, who I bonded with through our shared love of analyzing movies and television, remarking that I would be a good “person who makes movie sets”. After moving to Los Angeles to begin college, I began crewing as an Art Production Assistant in various Short, Feature, and Student Projects where I was very fortunate to meet other Art Department people that I have the honor of calling some of my best friends and greatest supporters today. Although this element was extremely helpful and lifted me up on more than one occasion when things were most difficult, personal resilience is another huge component in facilitating the growth I have accomplished thus far. Film, making art in general, is an extremely taxing pursuit- always remember the reason why you are making art. For yourself, for your voice, for your friends/loved ones, remember to keep what matters to you in mind in whatever you do and you will find fulfillment at the end.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of my absolute favorite events unique to Los Angeles is movie screenings at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (“Cinespia”). In almost the same fashion as in the Victorian Era where people would picnic in Public Cemeteries, combined with the grandeur of viewing a movie on the silver screen amongst the headstones of some of Hollywood’s famous stars, the pure spectacle of screenings here is titular for any fan of the Horror, Macabre, or even just Hollywood’s intricate history. After the screening ends, you can take a leisurely stroll through the headstones and reflect on your visit on the way out!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are far too many people to name, but I can try to give my gratitude where I feel its due the most!

As an artist, I’d like to dedicate this to my family, pure creatives by bloodline who have spent their lives working so that I may have the chance to have mine. I hope to embody the empathy of my mother, the creativity of my Father, the aesthetic eye of my Aunt and Grandmother, the Intelligence of my Uncle, and the Resilience of my Grandfather in every project I bring to fruition.

As a friend, I’d like to highlight my amazing friends, mentors, collaborators and peers that I have met during my time in Los Angeles/studying at the School of Cinematic Arts. Thank you for broadening my horizons every day and being my family and support system.

Lastly, as a Designer I would like to acknowledge the terrifyingly amazing world we live in that provides me with the materials and inspiration to assist create the works that I have the pleasure to be part of.

Thank you all for being the pieces that are composited together to make me whole.

Instagram: @maizyxzenger

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maizy-zenger-884068253/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maizyzenger

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15621834/

IMDB