IN MEMORIAM
Robert L. Zilliox SDSA
February 22, 1944 – November 16, 2024
Bob Zilliox founded the Set Decorators Society of America in the summer of 1993. He gathered many committed colleagues to the cause, all equally concerned about providing support for the set decorating profession. Bob said that founding the Set Decorators Society was “the greatest thing that ever happened to me in the work environment.”
Zilliox witnessed many changes in the industry in the 1980’s and early ‘90’s. As more people got into the business, particularly from non-union production, and many of them women, the competition was perceived as a factor in driving down pay rates and eroding working conditions for established Set Decorators. This led to deteriorating relationships between factions.
Zilliox started working on a unifying concept. At that time, he served on the Board of IATSE Local 44, as a Set Decorator Representative. Zilliox reached out to the whole community of Set Decorators, no matter what their origins. Early SDSA meetings often provided the first opportunity for Set Decorators to meet one another. Common issues were discussed, and participants were delighted to find release from isolation and strength in unity.
At first, relations between the early SDSA and Local 44 were rocky, but tensions eased when the group agreed to a name change from “Set Decorators Guild” to “Set Decorators Society.” To resolve issues once and for all, a policy was established that the SDSA would remain a social and promotional organization, leaving the negotiation of contracts and legal resolution of workplace issues to the IATSE.
Kathe Klopp, a longtime member of the SDSA and Zilliox’ successor as Set Decorator representative to the IATSE Local 44 Board, said of him before her untimely death in 2003: “When I look back at what he went through, it’s incredible. Bob deserves huge credit for persistence. My hat’s off to him and always will be.”
Bob served as SDSA President for three years and subsequently as a board member. He then held the title of SDSA President Emeritus until he passed away, at the age of 80. Those who were involved with the SDSA in the early days clearly remember Zilliox’ intense vision for the future.
Zilliox was quoted in the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, stating his goals in forming the SDSA: “As a society, we now will be able to recognize achievements within our field by sponsoring award ceremonies; we can hold seminars that will present learning opportunities and set standards for the decorating profession; and we will reach out to the other societies and guilds to create a network that will attempt to increase the job market.”
Highlights of Bob Zilliox’ time as President of the SDSA include:
• The “Preamble”, a goals statement for the SDSA, written in collaboration with the first Board of Directors
• First annual brunch at the Peninsula Hotel in 1994
• Administrative offices moved from borrowed space in Burbank to the Pacific Design Center
• First ever museum exhibit on Set Decoration at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• Development of the first SDSA logo, graphic identity, and advertising campaign
• Regular newsletter published, starting as a one-sheet, and growing into a revenue-generating publication of general interest
• Growth of membership: from a core of 30, then 85 Set Decorator members and 27 Business Member sponsors at the end of the first year. SDSA now has over 450 members from all over the world.
Bob was awarded the first Earl Cooperman Lifetime Achievement Award by the Set Decorators Society in 2004. He was nominated many times for the Emmy Award, and has a long list of professional credits, in the 1970’s, ‘80’s and ‘90’s, including:
• “The Second Civil War” (1997) Feature
• “Quantum Leap” (1989) TV Series (4 Emmy nominations)
• “Bret Maverick” (1981) TV Series (Emmy nomination)
• “The Rockford Files” (1974) TV Series (Emmy nomination)
Bob’s daughter, Jennifer offered these words in tribute: “Dad taught us all the true value of kindness, hard work, and how to enjoy life to the fullest, no matter the circumstance. We will forever miss his keen eye for beauty, his ability to light up any room, and his unmatched talent for using charm and humor to accomplish even the most impossible goals.”
| 
