For our fifteenth Rundown article, we talk about two visual categories that add a layer of sumptuousness and period authenticity to any film. After the jump, you’ll find our winner and runner-up predictions for Best Production Design & Best Costume Design as well as general commentary about the race. Friday, we’ll cover the big one.

Best Production Design

Winner Predictions

• 12 Years a Slave (PP O)
• American Hustle
• Gravity
• The Great Gatsby (WL O) (TB R) [New]

Runner-Up Predictions

• Gravity (WL O) (PP O) (TB R) [New]

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Wesley Lovell: All signs are pointing towards The Great Gatsby. Period films often dominate. With the Art Directors Guild giving the film its prize, I’d be hard-pressed to look elsewhere. However, Gravity also won the art direction prize at the ADG awards and for the last several years, digital 3D films have had a better track record than traditional pieces. Of course, The Great Gatsby was also in 3D and as exciting as the world created in Gravity is, I just can’t get past the opulence and refinery of The Great Gatsby.
Peter J. Patrick: The recreation of the 1920s in The Great Gatsby is probably unbeatable, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Gravity added to its trophy count by taking this one along with practically everything else.
Tripp Burton: I wouldn’t be shocked to see anyone up on the stage getting this award, but my gut tells me that the sheer size and glamor of The Great Gatsby will take the award. If Gravity really gets on a role, though, don’t be surprised to see it taking this award too.

Best Costume Design

Winner Predictions

• 12 Years a Slave (WL R) [New] (TB R) [New]
• American Hustle
• The Grandmaster
• The Great Gatsby
• The Invisible Woman (PP O)

Runner-Up Predictions

• 12 Years a Slave (PP O)
• The Great Gatsby (WL O) (TB R) [New]

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Wesley Lovell: Before the Costume Designers Guild threw a wrench into the works, I had little doubt that The Great Gatsby would win. Yet, it’s not a Best Picture nominee and the CDG didn’t like it enough to give it the award, which instead went to 12 Years a Slave. As the Academy proved last year with Lincoln, sometimes authenticity goes a lot farther than opulence. That leads me to suspect 12 Years a Slave may be more formidable in this category than previously expected. I used the opulence defense for Best Production Design, so I feel like I’m hedging my bets, but if 12 Years a Slave is to win Best Picture, it needs some tech category support. This might just be that support.
Peter J. Patrick: The elegant designs of The Great Gatsby would seem a likely choice, but this category often prompts surprises, and the Dickensian Invisible Woman is poised to do that.
Tripp Burton: 12 Years a Slave surprised a lot of people when it picked up the guild award this weekend, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see it sneak in again. The Great Gatsby might be the safer choice, but if voters really want to honor the achievement of 12 Years a Slave this might be a place to check off the box.

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