Biography

Rosemary Brandenburg is an American set decorator. She graduated from National Cathedral School in 1974 and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Drama, with a minor in History, from Kenyon College. She also pursued graduate studies in Art History. Brandenburg is fluent in English and French, with proficiency in Spanish and basic Italian. Her early interest in set decoration began in high school theatre. After working on the television series Powerhouse in Washington, D.C., she moved to Los Angeles at age 25 to pursue a career in film. Her early credits include Desert Hearts (1985) and La Bamba (1987). Among Brandenburg's most celebrated work is her role as set decorator on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), where she led a team of nearly 200 people and became the first female art department head on a Star Wars film. She also worked on major franchise films such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), collaborating with director James Gunn. Other significant projects include The Hateful Eight (2015), Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017), Transformers (2007), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), Cast Away (2000), Amistad (1997), and the cult classic Hocus Pocus (1993). Brandenburg has also made substantial contributions to the professional community of set decorators. She served on the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 2004 to 2013 and remains active on the Production Design Branch Executive Committee. She co-founded the Set Decorators Society of America (SDSA), serving as Vice President and later as Board Chair, and has represented her peers on the IATSE Local 44 Board.