LMGI COMPASS
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Summer 2021
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27
It was obvious that the locations for the series weren't just
locations. Berlin is one of the stars of the show. And it was clear if
we didn't get this sold properly so that the audience was visually
captivated by what they see, it would be difficult to succeed. The
locations had to personify the rush we feel when we enter Berlin's
nightlife and to amplify the disgust and horror when the light hits its
dark corners.
Was the play/movie Cabaret an influence?
Every Thursday in the weeks prior to shooting, the directors
presented several movies, fictional and documentary, in a screening
to the crew, sometimes with guest speakers. The directors and the
production designer have a very profound knowledge of the history
of film. While it is very probable that Cabaret had an influence, it was
not part of the location brief we were given. There was not "the one"
movie they wanted us to take as the best example. The intention was
to let us learn more about the times our story takes place in—not
only the mood they wanted to show on the screen, but also the mood
of daily life back then.
It was really a nice ritual and brought the whole team together and
even further into the era of the 1920s and '30s.
Have you worked in this period of German history before? If yes, what?
If no, why not?
As a location assistant, I had the privilege of working on Quentin
Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and Bryan Singer's Valkyrie. Mario
was a location set PA on both projects back then. Both are set a little
bit later in history, but you are looking for similar architecture for
