Young Guns 19: Julija Fricsone Gavriss

By Alixandra Rutnik and Brett McKenzie on Oct 27, 2021

Featuring the creative stars of Young Guns 19


A year and a half of uncertainty across the creative industry and beyond has finally given way to a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel — a spotlight with a great big "YG19" standing in the middle of it. After more than 70 acclaimed creatives from around the world and across a multitude of disciplines reviewed hundreds of submissions, whittling them down to a formidable finalist list, we can finally reveal the phenomenal winners of Young Guns 19!

This year, we welcome a diverse class of 32 inductees into the exclusive Young Guns family, a collection of young creative talent that is already near the top of their game — and will only get better. These are the designers, the art directors, the illustrators, the filmmakers, the animators, the multidisciplinary artists whose names you'll want to know — if you aren't already following their every move, that is.

Ahead of the Young Guns 19 Ceremony + Party taking place on Wednesday, November 17 — our first in-person event since the pandemic began — we are featuring the future legends who will be stepping into the spotlight that evening.


JULIJA FRICSONE-GAVRISS
PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Based:

Berlin, Germany

Hometown:

Riga, Latvia

SEE JULIJA'S ENTRY

When did you first hear about Young Guns?

First I heard about Young Guns from past winners that I admire. Then I started doing research and came across even more aspiring talent around the globe. I find Young Guns to be a very creative and nurturing community for young artists, which is awesome because we get to meet so many amazing people around the world.

Congrats first-timer! What made you enter this year?

I spent many years developing my craft and finally, when I was feeling confident enough, I was eager to get an opinion from other creatives to see how I did. The turn out was not bad.

Also, I am turning 30 this year, so it was now or never. Last year to enter.

Since you are only allowed to submit six projects, how did you decide which pieces were best to enter and truly reflected you and your work?

I decided to focus on the projects that turned out to be very special to me, which also was the work that highlighted my craft and was very versatile. I like to challenge myself and the projects that I entered challenged me in so many ways.

How did you feel when you found out you won Young Guns?

I was reading through my emails in the evening right before bedtime when I got an email from Young Guns. It was absolutely splendid. My heart was full. I couldn't believe how exciting it was and at the same time very rewarding, because I do love my job and I'm a hard worker. I was on cloud nine.

If you had to pick one of the six projects that you entered as your favorite, which one would it be and why?

Every project is dear to me and I always connect to a script on a personal level. If I have to highlight one project it would probably be We Will Become Better, because the subject is extremely important.

I felt honoured designing this film in order to portray the love and beauty in a same sex relationship, centred in such a complicated region like Russia. It was a blast to transform blank spaces into liveable homes, with emotional codependent color palettes.

Each place reflected the history of two lovers, that couldn't be together due to Russia's anti-gay laws and mainstream homophobia. Two very different creative houses and an imaginative black void served as the only place where two lovers were allowed by society to face each other.

If you had to describe your creative style, the part of your work that’s most distinctively “you,” what would it be?

I think it's important to focus on creating your own brand of magic. I always pay attention to small details, and I love to tell the story with every set that I create. I help actors to open up and make a connection with their character. So I make sure my sets accompany in delivering the best performance and bold memorable look.

Who are some of the biggest influences on your work and career– people who may have had a hand in mentoring and supporting you?

I look up to production designers from the 60s, 70s and 80s. I have huge respect towards people who create insanely beautiful and complicated worlds with less resources, like John Barry, Ted Haworth, and Jack Martin Smith.

I'm forever grateful to Stanley Kubrick for his vision, David Fincher, Paul Thomas Anderson, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Noah Baumbach.

Now that you’re in the Young Guns family, are there any past winners you look up to and admire?

I'm familiar with the work of some past winners in the film category – Jonas Lindstroem and Niclas Larsson. I love the way they execute their ideas into projects, and how their creative vision transforms into work. I admire Andzej Gavriss. It's astonishing when artists are not afraid to make a statement and communicate through their art on subjects that matter.

The pandemic of 2020 is slowly starting to taper a bit, so do you have any big goals moving forward into 2022?

Keep on working hard and pushing for my vision. Always delivering more than is expected from me. Developing personally and evolving as an artist.

Name a creative dream that you have yet to fulfill — hey, maybe Young Guns can help propel you in that direction!

I want to work on projects that will give me opportunities to experiment with striking bold textures, colours, and spaces. I love period films. I would also love to work in the sci-fi genre.

As a Production Designer I am attracted to a lot of different things, so I hope this journey will be a never ending flow full of surprises.

Any final thoughts?

I feel inspired and very grateful for the recognition Young Guns has given me. I'm honoured and happy that I've made it here, from a small Eastern European country, working hard every day and becoming a better version of myself.

If I can encourage other creatives with advice it would be, "Never take no for an answer. Fight for your vision. Deliver 110%. Learn how to enjoy every second of your work so you will never be tired. Project your goals every day before you go to sleep. One day everything you wished for will happen."

"If I can encourage other creatives with adviceit would be, "Never take no for an answer. Fight for your vision. Deliver 110%. Learn how to enjoy every second of your work so you will never be tired. Project your goals every day before you go to sleep. One day everything you wished for will happen.""


 

JULIJAFRICSONEGAVRISS.COM

IG: @JULIJAFRICSONE


Go check out all the Young Guns 19 Winners in the archive!

Young Guns 19 Archive

 


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