For production designer Francesca Porcelluzzi, every space tells a story. Originally from Italy and now based in Los Angeles, Porcelluzzi has quickly established herself as a thoughtful visual storyteller whose work focuses on creating authentic, emotionally resonant environments that deepen character and support narrative. Holding a Master’s degree in Television, Cinema, and New Media from IULM University in Milan and a Master’s degree in Film and Media Production from the New York Film Academy, she brings both international perspective and artistic sensitivity to every project she undertakes.
Her growing body of work spans short films, feature films, and commercial productions, with credits including 10:52, Magnolia Daughters, The Stolen Mind, Half Life, The Last Coin, and the upcoming feature drama She Reminds Me of You. Whether researching culturally specific environments, transforming existing locations, or carefully selecting props and textures that reveal character, Porcelluzzi approaches production design as a powerful storytelling tool rather than simply decoration.
That philosophy is especially evident in She Reminds Me of You, a heartfelt drama about grief, healing, and second chances. The film follows Eric, a military veteran struggling with the devastating loss of his wife and son. As he withdraws from the world around him, an unexpected connection with a spirited woman named Lynn begins to help him rediscover hope and learn that moving forward does not mean leaving loved ones behind.
For Porcelluzzi, the project offered an opportunity to visually explore two very different emotional journeys while helping bring the film’s themes of loss, resilience, and human connection to life.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of production design is finding ways to communicate emotions without dialogue,” says Porcelluzzi. “The environments become an extension of the characters themselves.”
That belief guided much of her work on the film. One of the biggest creative challenges involved building two distinctly different worlds that reflected the emotional states of the story’s central characters. Eric’s home needed to feel suspended in time, weighed down by grief and memory, while Lynn’s apartment had to radiate warmth, creativity, and possibility.
“Building that visual contrast was one of my favorite parts of the process,” she explains. “The spaces needed to support each character’s journey and visually reinforce what they were experiencing emotionally.”
Porcelluzzi’s approach to developing a film’s visual identity always begins with understanding the emotional core of the story. Before considering furniture, props, or color palettes, she focuses on character. “I spend time thinking about who the characters are, how they live, and what kind of world surrounds them,” she says. “From there, I start exploring colors, textures, locations, and objects that can help support the narrative.”
For her, color palettes and set dressing are never arbitrary choices. Every visual element contributes to the audience’s understanding of a character and their emotional state. “The colors we choose can reflect emotions, textures can add atmosphere, and the objects surrounding a character can tell us about their personality, habits, and experiences,” she says. “Those details help create a world that feels lived in and believable.”
That attention to detail has become a hallmark of her work. Whether transforming an American home into a culturally authentic Kurdish household for 10:52 or designing environments that reflect grief and healing in She Reminds Me of You, Porcelluzzi is drawn to projects where production design can quietly enhance storytelling in meaningful ways.
The project itself came about through a chance online connection with writer-director Johnny Dee Ulysse. What began as a conversation quickly developed into a creative partnership built on a shared passion for storytelling. “I was immediately drawn to the emotional depth of the script,” she recalls. “It felt like a project that had a lot of heart, and I knew I wanted to be part of it.”
The collaboration proved so successful that the pair have already begun working together again, with Porcelluzzi currently involved in the early stages of pre-production on Ulysse’s next feature film. Like many emerging filmmakers, Porcelluzzi credits her early experiences in the industry with teaching her lessons that continue to shape her approach today. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that filmmaking is truly a collaborative process,” she says. “No matter how creative an idea is, bringing it to life requires communication, trust, and a willingness to work together.”
Adaptability has become equally important. “Things rarely go exactly as planned on set, and some of the best solutions come from staying calm and being open to new ideas,” she adds. “Every project, no matter the size, is an opportunity to learn, grow, and continue developing your voice as a filmmaker.”
That collaborative mindset extends to her relationships with directors and cinematographers. She believes the strongest visual storytelling emerges when every department is working toward a unified creative vision.
“I like spending time discussing the tone, themes, and emotional journey of the characters with the director,” she says. “I also work closely with the cinematographer because production design and cinematography go hand in hand. We’re constantly talking about color palettes, lighting, framing, and how the environment will be captured on screen.”
While she brings her own creative perspective to every project, Porcelluzzi sees her primary responsibility as serving the story and supporting the filmmaker’s vision. “My role is to help bring the director’s vision to life,” she explains. “If I have a creative idea or suggestion, I always ask whether it serves the story and the characters first. The goal is to create a cohesive world where every visual element works together.”
Of course, not every memorable contribution happens behind the scenes. During production on She Reminds Me of You, Porcelluzzi unexpectedly found herself stepping in front of the camera as well. “I ended up making a small cameo in the film,” she laughs. “That definitely wasn’t part of the original plan.”
As she continues building her career in Los Angeles, Porcelluzzi remains particularly drawn to stories that explore identity, human relationships, memory, and personal transformation. It’s a thematic thread that runs through much of her work and one that aligns perfectly with the emotional core of She Reminds Me of You.
For now, audiences will have to wait a little longer to experience the finished film. She Reminds Me of You is currently in post-production, with festival screenings and release plans expected to be announced in the coming months. Until then, Francesca Porcelluzzi continues doing what she loves most: building worlds, supporting stories, and proving that sometimes the smallest details can leave the biggest emotional impact.
For more information on Francesca Porcelluzzi visit: Instagram @francescaporcelluzzi_ or her IMDb.
