Nova Scotia set decorator looking for second Academy Award for work on ‘Frankenstein’

Oscar-winning production designer Shane Vieau joins us to talk about his latest nomination, and about an upcoming event at the Chester Playhouse.

Horror movies are hot as 2026 enters awards season and artists from Nova Scotia are being recognized for their creepy contributions.

Shane Vieau is a set decorator from Dartmouth, N.S. He received his fourth Academy Award nomination alongside Tamera Deverell who lives in Cape Breton for their work on the Guillermo del Toro movie “Frankenstein.”

“It is a blessing every day that I get to be able to work with people like these,” Vieau said. “Being able to work with Guillermo over the last 10 years has been an amazing experience.”

Vieau won the Oscar for production design in 2017 for his work on “The Shape of Water,” also directed by del Toro. He worked with Deverell on another del Toro movie, “Nightmare Alley,” released in 2021.

Vieau will be in attendance at the Chester Playhouse Theatre Saturday for a special screening of “Frankenstein” followed by a conversation about his work.

“Chester is such an amazing community,” he said. “It is really amazing that they invited me to be part of the playhouse.”

Vieau said they were almost two years working on “Frankenstein” in Toronto and the U.K. but it’s all worth it.

“It’s nice when you get to be able to work on projects like these especially with directors that you’ve established a relationship with,” said Vieau. “You’re sort of inline with his expectations and what he needs to do.”

“It is a blessing and a privilege every time you are recommended for your work,” Vieau said.

He said his conversation in Chester will be focused on the art and craft of making movies from reading the script through research, planning, building and dressing sets.

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