Dick Stiles

Art Director


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his one-hour interview, Dick Stiles (1933-2008) speaks about his early years and his interest in art, as well as his first foray into television at the University of Texas at Houston's station, KUHT. He recalls moving to Los Angeles and working as a CBS page until he was promoted to draftsman on The Red Skelton Show. He speaks about working at CBS' Television City and the introduction of color technology, as well as about the craft of drafting and art direction. He details his work on various other productions, culminating in a 27-year career as the art director of Wheel of Fortune. He also speaks about his contributions in the selection of artists and the creation of sculptures in the plaza of the Television Academy's headquarters. Karen Herman conducted the interview on June 21, 2003 at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences headquarters in North Hollywood, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I always try to pay close attention to the needs of the show as far as what type of show it is. My style is not to overwhelm the performer or whoever is in front of us."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Dick Stiles on his sculpture of Carol Burnett that resides as part of the Television Academy Plaza
02:09
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on participating in theater in high school and college; on the first time he saw television and on getting involved with stage design
On getting into radio and television production and his first paying job in television; on working at CBS Television City as a page in the early '60s and on becoming a draftsman for The Red Skelton Show; on doing production design for The Wizard of Odds
On acting as assistant art director for The Don Knotts Show; on acting as assistant art director for Peyton Place

Chapter 2

On doing art direction for Scarecrow with Jan Scott; on doing art direction for Awake and Sing; on doing art direction for Toy Pony
On doing art direction for Wheel of Fortune; on the prizes of Wheel of Fortune and on working with Merv Griffin; on the puzzle board and wheel on the show
On a typical Wheel of Fortune production schedule and on the direction of the show; on the hosts of Wheel of Fortune and on the biggest challenge of the show; on the popularity of Wheel of Fortune and on leaving the show
On becoming involved with the sculptures at Television Academy Plaza; on creating the Rod Serling sculpture in the Television Academy Plaza

Chapter 3

On being a member of the Television Academy and on the artists chosen to make the sculptures for the Television Academy Plaza; on the fountain and layout of the Television Academy Plaza; on advice to an aspiring art director, his style, and how he'd like to be remembered
Dick Stiles on his sculpture of Carol Burnett that resides as part of the Television Academy Plaza
Shows

Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)

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Dick Stiles on his sculpture of Carol Burnett that resides as part of the Television Academy Plaza
02:09

Don Knotts Show, The

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Dick Stiles on acting as assistant art director for The Don Knotts Show
00:39

Peyton Place

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Dick Stiles on acting as assistant art director for Peyton Place
02:59

Red Skelton Show, The

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Dick Stiles on working at CBS Television City as a page in the early '60s and on becoming a draftsman for The Red Skelton Show
07:54

Wheel of Fortune

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Dick Stiles on doing art direction for Wheel of Fortune
02:44
Dick Stiles on the prizes of Wheel of Fortune
01:34
Dick Stiles on working with Merv Griffin on Wheel of Fortune
01:18
Dick Stiles on the Wheel of Fortune puzzle board and wheel
04:02
Dick Stiles on a typical Wheel of Fortune production schedule and on the direction of the show
02:06
Dick Stiles on the hosts of Wheel of Fortune
03:00
Dick Stiles on the biggest challenge of doing art direction for Wheel of Fortune
01:26
Dick Stiles on the popularity of Wheel of Fortune and on being on set during filming
02:16
Dick Stiles on leaving Wheel of Fortune
00:47
Topics

Advice

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Dick Stiles on advice to an aspiring art director
00:42

Television Industry

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Dick Stiles on advice to an aspiring art director
00:42
Professions

Art Director/Set Decorator

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Dick Stiles on advice to an aspiring art director
00:43
Dick Stiles on his style as an art director and sculptor and on how he'd like to be remembered
01:28

Designers

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Dick Stiles on advice to an aspiring art director
00:43
Dick Stiles on his style as an art director and sculptor and on how he'd like to be remembered
01:28
Genres

Children's Programming

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Dick Stiles on doing art direction for Toy Pony
01:31

Comedy Series

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Dick Stiles on acting as assistant art director for The Don Knotts Show
00:39

Daytime/Primetime Serials

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Dick Stiles on acting as assistant art director for Peyton Place
02:59

Game Shows

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Dick Stiles on doing production design for The Wizard of Odds
02:33
Dick Stiles on doing art direction for Wheel of Fortune
19:13

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

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Dick Stiles on working at CBS Television City as a page in the early '60s and on becoming a draftsman for The Red Skelton Show
07:54

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

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Dick Stiles on doing art direction for Scarecrow with Jan Scott
03:40
Dick Stiles on doing art direction for Awake and Sing
01:10
People

Carol Burnett

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Dick Stiles on his sculpture of Carol Burnett that resides as part of the Television Academy Plaza
02:09

Merv Griffin

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Dick Stiles on working with Merv Griffin on Wheel of Fortune
01:18

Pat Sajak

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Dick Stiles on the hosts of Wheel of Fortune: Pat Sajak
02:59

Jan Scott

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Dick Stiles on doing art direction for Scarecrow with Jan Scott
03:39

Rod Serling

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Dick Stiles on creating the Rod Serling sculpture in the Television Academy Plaza
02:03

Red Skelton

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Dick Stiles on working at CBS Television City as a page in the early '60s and on becoming a draftsman for The Red Skelton Show
07:54

Susan Stafford

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Dick Stiles on the hosts of Wheel of Fortune: Susan Stafford
02:59

Vanna White

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Dick Stiles on the hosts of Wheel of Fortune:Vanna White
02:59

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