A Triumph in Visual Storytelling by Nymisha Gummadi
365Telugu.com online news,Vijayawada, October 30, 2024 : Lakshmi Nymisha Gummadi, an Indian production designer based in Los Angeles, has garnered acclaim for her exceptional work on the feature film Tahanan, which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. The film recently won the Best Feature Film award at the Culver City Film Festival, highlighting Gummadi’s significant contributions to its visual storytelling.
Hailing from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, and raised in Hyderabad, Nymisha is a proud graduate of the American Film Institute (AFI). With extensive experience in short films, music videos, and commercials, her collaboration with director Nicholas James Barber and cinematographer Nichole Ruiz was crucial in realizing the vision of Tahanan.
“I wanted the environment to be a character in itself,” Gummadi explained during a post-screening Q&A. “The spaces these characters inhabit needed to reflect their emotional journey, from the warmth of tradition to the cold isolation of immigration.” Her design skillfully merges traditional Filipino elements with the stark architecture of a foreign city, serving as a powerful visual metaphor for the family’s fractured identity. Each set is rich with meaning, featuring capiz windows that evoke authentic Filipino culture.
Gummadi’s use of color also plays a vital role in the film’s emotional narrative. Warmer hues dominate scenes of familial connection, while cooler tones underscore moments of isolation. “Tahanan’s win at the Culver Film Festival is not just a triumph for the film but for Indian talent on the global stage,” she noted. “It’s incredibly humbling to see the hard work pay off and to have the visual language of the film recognized in this way.”
Known for her meticulous attention to detail, Gummadi has previously worked under award-winning production designer Ethan Tobman on high-profile projects, including Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” and Disney’s Red Christmas music video. She has also contributed her talents to various commercials, such as DEX in Los Angeles, collaborating with diverse teams to bring unique visions to life.
Honoring her roots, Gummadi recently completed work on a Telugu feature film directed by Ravikumar Nasu, starring Sivakumar Ramachandravarapu, which is set for release in 2025.