"Production Designer Takes on Multiple Houses in Netflix's 'The Fall of the House of Usher'"

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ICARO Media Group
News
22/10/2023 21h32

In a recent report from The Hollywood Reporter, it was revealed that production designer Laurin Kelsey faced the daunting task of creating multiple houses for the Netflix horror series, "The Fall of the House of Usher." Inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, the show delves deep into the dark world of the Usher family, featuring a stellar cast including Bruce Greenwood, Mary McDonnell, Henry Thomas, and more.

Kelsey, who had previously collaborated with director Mike Flanagan on projects like "The Midnight Club" and "Midnight Mass," shared insights into the intricate process of building the eerie homes. Each member of the Usher family was assigned a designated house, with distinctive colors associated with their characters.

The main house, belonging to the series' patriarch portrayed by Bruce Greenwood, was a reinterpretation of the house featured in Poe's original short story. Set in the 1950s and designed as a suburban home, it reflected the financial limitations of the Usher family's backstory. Kelsey incorporated Gothic architecture and Victorian elements into the old 1890s building, creating a subdued version of its opulent literary counterpart.

The production team took great care in designing the individual houses for the Usher siblings, further emphasizing their unique personalities. Perry's house was adorned with red, while Vic's had orange tones. Camille's space featured silver accents, Tamerlane's had a green color scheme, and Leo's was characterized by yellow. Madeline's house was drenched in purple hues, and Roderick's boasted a gold palette. The colors extended beyond the houses and permeated the characters' clothing and office spaces.

During the production process, unexpected challenges arose, including the need to reshoot certain scenes after actor Frank Langella's departure from the project. Kelsey and her team rebuilt massive sets, making sure to maintain visual continuity with existing footage by utilizing the opposite side or changing the framing.

Kelsey attributed her background in theater as invaluable in managing the moving parts of the production design. By finding innovative ways to modify existing set elements, such as changing walls and window shapes, she maximized efficiency within the budget constraints.

In terms of creating cohesive spaces for Flanagan's twists and turns, Kelsey worked closely with the director's detailed script and floor plans. Each movement and line of sight was meticulously planned out, allowing the production designer to bring the script to life while still retaining creative freedom.

Aside from the homes, attention was also given to the professional spaces where the Usher family carried out their work. Roderick and Madeline had offices at Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, with Roderick's office embodying a golden color scheme and Madeline's showcasing purple accents. The design choices reflected their distinct personalities and interests.

"The Fall of the House of Usher" seamlessly weaves together multiple time periods, posing additional challenges for Kelsey. Balancing historical accuracy with the story's modern setting required careful attention to detail. Kelsey aimed to create realistic environments, infusing them with gothic touches or elements that honored Poe's stories throughout different time periods.

Fans of Mike Flanagan's work can expect to find easter eggs scattered throughout the series. One notable example is a section of "The Masque of the Red Death" scrawled across a wall in one episode. The production team meticulously crafted a warehouse for water effects, paying homage to the original story's famed rooms and stained glass windows.

"The Fall of the House of Usher" is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a chilling journey into the macabre world inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's haunting tales.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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