Sifter podcast

Double Emmy winner from soaps to primetime

9/30/2026
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28:44
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Richard Hankins graduated from VCU and designed sets for Richmond theatre before heading to New York, where he won 2 Emmys for his work on daytime dramas. Afterward, he moved to LA, where he continued to be a production designer for primtime shows like “NYPD Blue” (10 years). That includes:
– His Richmond theatre experience
– Breaking design ground for Guiding Light (and winning an Emmy)
– The challenges of daytime dramas
– Working with Holly Hunter on Saving Grace
– Making LA look like New York City for NYPD Blue
– Designing for 2 seasons of Private Practice
– Creating how own art & painting graffiti for fun
– His personal cinema in Wilmington, NC

LINKS
Richard Hankins’ website
Virginia Film Festival

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