This past week I had the pleasure of working alongside Victorhouse Productions, in association with the Lost Nomads and BBC. Hired as the photographer for Production Stills, we spent the past three days on set at DC Stages in downtown Los Angeles. One of the most impressive aspects of film and television is all the styling and set design that go into each shot. I took a little tour around each stage and found myself enamored of all the details and props that create the look of complete authenticity.
I’ll be the first to say it — these are not modern trendy designs or nearly “stylish” props. There were several courthouses, lawyers’ offices, judges’ chambers, a hospital, jail cells, interrogation rooms, dingy hotels and tacky houses. Think about all those hit television dramas in the early 90’s — Night Court or NYPD Blue, Family Ties, ER, and Law and Order. It’s quite impressive how lighting and wardrobe can bring everything to life. Regardless if you’re styling for an Elle Decor photo shoot or for a soapy late night police drama, accessories are key!
Images: Bethany Nauert
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Which one is which? Usually there's a list at the bottom of the post, but I'm not seeing one here (yet).
What a tease! You're not even going to tell us what's what???
...and how is this supposed to apply to our lives and homes?
Oh, it doesn't.
Okay, you have to give us more info than this! I always find myself examining the sets of TV shows and movies to try to learn more about the characters. Usually the details are meaningful in some way and add some kind of layering to my understanding of what I'm watching. Every once in a while, the sets just feel generic or contrived, and I feel like I'm paying more attention than I'm supposed to!
Here's a great NYT article about the sets on Modern Family:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/13/if-these-walls-could-talk/
In a really random twist, three of my studio's prints are actually on this season of the show. They're upstairs in the Dunphy home. We haven't yet glimpsed them, but it's crazy to think of what they might add to someone else's understanding of those characters [or maybe they wouldn't add anything?]. You can see them here:
http://visualingual.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/otr-firms-prints-on-tv-show/
More than half of those shows were in the '80s or early '90s - not the late '90s. It would be nice to have each photo linked the show they were associate with - just for curiosity's sake. Overall some nice images though.
Personally I always really loved the craftsmen details in Buffy Summers' house.
Night Court and Family Ties were not dramas...and not on in the late nineties. I know it's small beans, but even a cursory search of the Internet would have prevented these errors. When you print things that are false you lose credibility with the readers. Does this site use editors? The title of this post indicates that it is about early 90s television shows, but in the body the writer says they are late 90s television shows.
Also, you should have listed what show each photo came from. I went through the photos trying to guess before I scrolled down to the answers. Too bad there were no answers.
And seriously, you're showing a jail cell and interrogation room on a decorating blog?
Next...
i never said that these stills were from sets used on these shows. I said they were reminiscent of these shows. That they reminded me of such television shows in the 90's (early to late, what have you) such as --- Law and Order, Night Court, Family Ties, and so on....
Does every posting need to apply to your lives, or need to address your homes specifically? Not really. Sometimes things are just fun to look at. You know, fun? As in not to take yourselves so seriously all the time.
If you're not going to show photos of the shows, what's the point? And the take-away is "accessories are key"? Lame.
I know AT doesn't pay zillions, but please. Try harder.
One of my favorite sets in New York is "White Collar." Truly beautiful design!
Nice photography, but not a whole lot of thought was put into the article. I'm okay with not naming the shows - that happens. Might be a studio thing.
But if you're going to say "accessories are key," maybe single out the kitchy valence in that yellow kitchen or the green-glass lamps in the... police station?
Thank you for this great post! I'm a production designer in Los Angeles and have worked on these stages several times. People often overlook the job of the production designer and forget that everything you SEE in a film or tv show was put designed specifically for your viewing pleasure. One more thing- Many shows and scenes from shows are shot at DC Stages but it's not solely dedicated to any one film or show, so it wouldn't be an easy task to name every show/film ever shot there.
i love looking at tv and movie sets !