'The Crown' Sets Explained by the Show's Set Designer | Notes on a Set

TL;DR

"The Crown" production team discusses the challenges and strategies behind creating authentic sets and locations for the series.

Transcript

hi I'm Martin childs this is notes on a set for the crown this is episode 8 of the crown when the Kennedys visit the Queen is getting a tour of the palace and this opens in the throne room which is in Lancaster House and this pretty good illustration of the fact that we used maybe six or seven different locations for the interior of Buckingham Pala... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥳 Multiple locations were used to recreate different parts of Buckingham Palace to accurately represent its vastness.
• 😫 The production team meticulously researched historical details and used authentic props, fabrics, and furniture to enhance the realism of the sets.
• 🏛️ Filming in government buildings presented limitations for certain scenes but offered a grand scale and authentic atmosphere.
• 😫 Set designs and layouts were carefully considered to enhance storytelling and emphasize character dynamics.
• 😫 The team drew inspiration from classic films and other artistic references to create visually stunning and meaningful sets.
• 🤩 Research and adaptation were key in recreating private apartments that were inaccessible to public tours.
• 😒 The use of double doors and framing within frames added depth and perspective to bedroom scenes.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the production team create the throne room in Buckingham Palace?

The team found an empty room in Lancaster House and transformed it into the throne room. While they couldn't remove security nets, they meticulously wove fabrics and used accurate historical details to recreate the space.

Q: Did the production team tour the real Buckingham Palace?

The team did a tour of Buckingham Palace, but the private apartments, which are featured in the show, were adapted based on architectural knowledge rather than intimate knowledge of the Queen's life.

Q: How did the team create depth in the bedroom scenes at Buckingham Palace?

The team utilized double doors and a layout without corridors, known as "Eon for lard," to frame shots within shots. The placement of furniture emphasized the distance between characters and added to the storytelling.

Q: Were all the sets completely accurate to the time period?

While some set details were adjusted for dramatic purposes or due to copyright issues, the production made extensive efforts to ensure everything depicted was authentic to the time period, often using items that predated the depicted era.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The production team used multiple locations, including Lancaster House, to recreate the interior of Buckingham Palace.

• Special attention was given to details such as woven fabrics, historical photographs, and carefully chosen furniture to maintain authenticity.

• Filming in government buildings like Lancaster House presented challenges for dialogue scenes but was selected for its grand scale.