PRODUCTION DESIGNER IN MALTA & EUROPE
With nearly a decade in the film industry, Maria Rosa Thornhill specialises in narrative-driven production design, bringing a strong practical foundation from her early work in the art department. She approaches every project story-first, with a clear vision and a collaborative mindset.
Holding dual Maltese and UK citizenship, Maria Rosa can work seamlessly across the UK and Europe and is currently focused on building long-term international collaborations and European co-productions.
Maria Rosa Thornhill is a member of the European Film Academy and the Production Designers’ Collective, and an alumna of NFTS Scotland and The Art Department Masterclass.
SERVICES
Production Design & Art Direction
With 5+ years of experience, Maria Rosa has led projects from their inception and design phase to their final execution. This includes script analysis, the preparation of moodboards, hand drafting for floor plans, elevations & sections, 3D models in Sketchup & Twinmotion, graphic design & set dressing.
Costume Design
As a result of the pandemic, Maria Rosa picked up her grandmother’s sewing machine and taught herself how to sew. It began as a necessity for set dressing, including sewing curtains, pillows, and small-scale upholstery. In her theatrical work, she began to find her voice as a costume designer & this quickly transitioned into film & TV.
TESTimonials
“Since the start, Maria Rosa's flair for beauty and the aesthetic dimension was a cut above the rest. One can see this in the huge shift in the quality of our projects since she joined the team. She brought something that we were missing. She added layers and layers of story through her visual storytelling, while making every project unique and particular in its own right. Maria Rosa not only brings ideas to the table, but will work wholeheartedly to make these ideas come to life; making big ideas happen with little funds.”
ABIGAIL MALLIA
DIRECTOR
“Maria Rosa is a multi-talented artist who has always impressed me with how much she would have on her shoulders in the art department, costume design or production design altogether. The sheer amount of research, sourcing and execution she is capable of handling without losing an ounce of her creativity nor compromising her vision is outstanding. To her, if this is nearly impossible, then it isn’t impossible and she will give her everything to make it work. The result always ends up looking like there was time, money and a team, when often there was neither."
MAX DURAND
DIRECTOR, AD
“I worked with Maria Rosa on an outdoor musical that travelled weekly to multiple venues. She worked excellently with the project’s various restrictions and designed a set that was easily transportable, highly functional, while also contributing greatly to the show’s aesthetic. She was also willing and able to suggest practical solutions to the project’s various challenges with the end result being sleek and visually striking. I’d be happy to work with her again.”
MALCOLM GALEA
DIRECTOR