Sunday, November 12, 2017
BEHIND THE SCENES ON A SOUNDSTAGE
BEHIND THE SCENES ON A SOUNDSTAGE
When you watch a movie or a TV show, you rarely think about the set design, unless it’s something fabulous like Something’s Gotta Give – the movie that influenced interiors for years. Most sets aren’t that noteworthy.
But…but…
Now that my new favorite show Outlander is in Season II – in Paris, 18th century Paris, no less, the sets are fabulous and drool worthy. But, although the setting is Paris, most scenes are filmed at castles and gardens in Scotland and England – locations that are substitutes for Paris, such as Wilton House was. The exterior scenes were filmed in Prague, not Paris. Not one scene was filmed in Paris – at all.
The majority of the scenes take place on the soundstage that is located in Cumbernauld, Scotland. Certainly not Paris. It’s hard to imagine how a soundstage in Scotland can become 18th Century Paris, but it does.
Recently Starz published pictures of the soundstage showing how the different sets were created. Since one of the most exquisites sets is Claire & Jamie Fraser’s Paris Mansion – I thought I would show you how the soundstage set goes from this:
The empty soundstage in Cumbernauld, Scotland – this soundstage then becomes Jamie & Claire’s Parisian house:
Yes. That huge, empty soundstage becomes this set – which is so beautiful that when Caitriona Balfe who plays Claire first saw the set, said she wanted to move in here, for good.
Besides Starz releasing behind-the-scenes photos of the sets, they also showed the working models – something I wish they had done on Season One!
The Production Designer is Jon Gary Steele, who is incredibly talented and the Set Decorator is Gina Cromwell. What’s the difference between the two? Steele designs the sets themselves – he’s the “architect” – while the Set Decorator actually does the interior design. She shops for the furniture and accessories, just like any decorator would do. I’ve never really understood the difference before between those two, until I saw the working models and drawings – and realized that the Production Designer is probably an architect, or at least has drafting experience.
This is the to-scale model of Jamie & Claire’s apartment in Paris. Jon Gary Steele drew the plans by hand and then had the model made, which is, in turn, used by many of the other departments. In this plan, there is the 1) Exterior Courtyard 2) Winding Staircase and 3) Two Rooms: Living Room & Bedroom/Dining Rooms. The Exterior Courtyard is between the two rooms. Surrounding it all is a large hall that is completely wallpapered in a tapestry!
This view of the model shows the Exterior Courtyard – in the middle. The room on the left is the living room. At the right is the bedroom/dining room. You can see that the hall behind the rooms has its own tapestry wallpaper – laid out TO SCALE!
A model of the winding staircase with a to-scale actress to be sure it all is correctly proportioned. Behind the stairs is a large oval oeil de boeuf window, which is typically 18th century.
The set is starting to be built. The rooms are all upstairs so that their French Doors will overlook the courtyard, as they would in real life.
This is the FOURTH soundstage that Starz/Outlander has built in Cumbernauld, Scotland for this series. Just imagine for a minute the amount of business this one show has brought to this quiet region.
Cumbernauld, a new Scotland town of 50,000 – was just recently developed in the 1950s as an offshoot of Glasgow. Once Outlander is canceled (NO!!!) then other movie productions can rent out the soundstage. Cumbernauld is hoping to become a destination for film, just as Hollywood is, and then Vancouver became, and on and on.
The building of the apartment continues. In the center – is the Exterior Courtyard which is located on the ground floor. The apartment is on the second floor, which allows the French Doors to look down onto the courtyard.
Realize, also, that the apartment is just one of four main sets built on these soundstages: The Apothecary, The Brothel, and Louise’s Apartment are also built from scratch.
And the scaffolding goes up to build the winding staircase with the oval window.
A peek at the staircase. This will be where many important scenes will take place.
The two rooms of the apartment – with the exterior courtyard below. Those are the windows where the French doors will be.
Inside looking out the French doors with their Juliet balconies, overlooking the courtyard. The walls are painted a French blue/green with gilt moldings.
The crown moldings are gilded, along with pilasters.
Real wood flooring – in a Chevron Pattern. (Notice, this is not Herringbone. In Chevron the points meet flush. In herringbone, the points are staggered:)
Personally, I wish they had chosen to use the Versailles Pattern. After all, this is 18th century France – and they are hanging out with the King of France at Versailles! But maybe Versailles Parquet was just TOO expensive to replicate.
The Set Decorator has shown up with fabric to test against the wall color. How many times have we all done this!!?!
The Hallway: the tapestry was painted on canvas. Amazing! Since it was on canvas, it will be able to be used again on another set.
The arch in the Exterior Courtyard is built – the arch is where the carriages drive through. Above is the apartment, overlooking the courtyard.
And, here we go! Claire is in her carriage in the streets of Paris! Just don’t tell her she is actually in Prague. Caitriona said when she heard Season 2 was in 18th Century Paris – she was so excited, until she found out they weren’t going to Paris but were going to be filming in Prague and Cumbernauld. Major disappointment – although everyone ended up loving Prague.
The Courtyard:
Now, this is Hollywood magic. Claire’s carriage is seen in Prague – going through the arches to her apartment. And then…..
Viola! Her carriages goes through the arch in Prague, and ends up at the Courtyard on Cumbernauld, Scotland’s soundstage.
The soundstage Courtyard. Not quite 18th century cobblestones, but they are a good substitute.
The courtyard. That’s the front door to the apartment. I just wish the stone was a bit more cream than beige. That’s more in keeping with 18th century Paris.
Claire, in her apartment, looking at the courtyard from her Juliet balcony. I love this “Dior” dress.
Every detail is thought of: park benches, fountains, lanterns.
The front door with brass hardware and antique French lanterns.
The Entry Hall:
The entry hall – with its stone floor. The door opens to a niche with a beautiful vase. At the left is a sconce and a bust.
And here – Claire returns home; her butler lets her in. She’s not accustomed to such luxury! Just a month ago she was struggling in the freezing Scotland, and now she is a Lady Of Leisure in Paris, which makes for much conflict.
The Stairs:
<Available link for download
