Production Design

Production Design Overview for Magnolia

For Randy Houser’s Magnolia, the goal was to seamlessly blend two very different environments: the gritty, coastal vibe of Mississippi’s oil derricks and the familiar warmth of Nashville, TN.

We shot a few key scenes on location at a towering oil derrick in Mississippi, capturing the raw authenticity of the coastal setting. The rest of the film was shot in Nashville, which meant me and my team had to recreate that same feel while weaving in Nashville’s own unique charm.

It was all about the details—weathered textures, carefully chosen props, and thoughtful set dressing—to make it all flow naturally. The challenge was to make two distinct places feel like one cohesive world, and it was incredibly rewarding to see it all come together on screen.

Synopsis:
Magnolia, (the film) is set in Randy’s home state of Mississippi and follows two characters (Ana and Noah) in the midst of an intense relationship, marred by their personal lives. Centered around a small group of oil rig workers, the visual representation of the album mirrors the blue-collar sentiments of Houser’s Magnolia lyrics as the small Mississippi town provides the perfect backdrop to highlight his rootsy melodies and swampy guitar licks. In the film, Randy plays a local singer at the town dive, performing several songs off the album throughout the film.

Director: Justin Nolan Key

Producer: Ben Skipworth

Production Design by: Marcus Cooley

Cinematography by: Dillon Schneider

he coastal looks of M