Jeannine Oppewall was born in Massachusetts, USA. She received an M.A. in Literature from Bryn Mawr College before moving to Los Angeles, where she found work in the office of Charles and Ray Eames. At the time, Charles Eames was known principally for his line of furniture for Herman Miller. However, the Eames Office also produced more than 100 short personal, educational, and industrial films, many of them highly innovative for their time, as well as traveling exhibitions for a variety of clients. Jeannine learned design at the feet of the master during her eight years there.
After making radio documentaries and doing some freelance writing and some theater design at the Royal Dramatic Theater in Stockholm, Jeannine joined the art department of production designer Paul Sylbert. The first film she designed was Tender Mercies. Other credits from her illustrious career include Catch Me If You Can, The Bridges of Madison County, and The Music Box. She received Academy Award nominations for L.A. Confidential, Pleasantville, Seabiscuit, and The Good Shepherd. Jeannine also served for many years on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She has recently returned to exhibition design and is hoping to complete a new project soon.
