# Ruth De Jong on Ancient Worldbuilding for Auteurs

> Production designer Ruth De Jong explains how to craft timeless worlds for directors like David Lynch and Terrence Malick.
- Title: Ruth De Jong on Ancient Worldbuilding for Auteurs · IndieWire
- Summary: Production designer Ruth De Jong explains how to craft timeless worlds for directors like David Lynch and Terrence Malick.
- Keywords: production designer, ruth de jong, the odyssey, auteur directors, worldbuilding, david lynch, terrence malick, paul thomas anderson, charlottesville, IndieWire
- Source: IndieWire — https://indiewire.com/features/craft/production-designer-ruth-de-jong-the-odyssey-interview-1235227809
- Author: Marya E. Gates
- Published: 2026-11-13T22:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: production designer, ruth de jong, the odyssey, auteur directors, worldbuilding, david lynch, terrence malick, paul thomas anderson, charlottesville, entertainment, culture
## Ruth De Jong's Worldbuilding Goal
Ruth De Jong aims to create authentic worlds for auteur directors like Paul Thomas Anderson and Terrence Malick.
## Charlottesville Connection
De Jong's high school friend Schuyler Fisk's father suggested she work on Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 film There Will Be Blood instead of art school.
## Mentorship Influence
Jack Fisk, a legendary production designer, told De Jong he saw his younger self in her and shared that the world needs mentors like him.
## Key takeaway

Production designer Ruth De Jong shares how to build ancient worlds for auteurs including David Lynch and Terrence Malick.