Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1521244
to go was with a small brownstone building in Brooklyn. The existing staircase on location had to be amended considerably. New Anaglypta wallpaper was installed and painted. Faux mosaic tile stairs were printed on linoleum. This staircase played a crucial role in the story's narrative fabric. It acted as a pathway for the little girl's character, leading from her grandmother's apartment to the imaginary apartment directly above. The ascent past the skylight and into the apartment marked the little girl's transition into her imagination. These scenes were captured on location and re- created on stage, thanks to exceptional Set Design work of Benjamin Cox. The grandmother's apartment set spanned approximately twenty-five hundred square feet, a considerable size for a New York apartment. Elevated on a deck standing eight feet high, I opted for a stock backing to enhance the setting, comprised of both day and night versions of a sweeping view of the Manhattan skyline downtown featuring the Brooklyn Bridge. This choice almost mirrored the vista visible from the existing brownstone's Brooklyn Heights location, positioned along the East River. While utilizing a photo backing may seem old-fashioned in an era dominated by green screen technology and CGI, it proved to be an effective and charming approach. The production's cinematographer Janusz Kaminski skillfully illuminated the backing, infusing it with a sense of life and authenticity. To further enhance the scene's ambiance, tiny twinkle lights were strategically placed to simulate car headlights and other sources of light, adding a touch of nostalgia to the overall aesthetic. The design for the grandmother's apartment set was largely orchestrated by Adam Mull, an exceptional Set Designer with whom I've had the pleasure of collaborating numerous times. Together, we drafted several preliminary floor plans for presentation. After careful consideration for all the scene blocking, we settled on an option for the grandmother's apartment which had a sense of tradition; a cozy two-bedroom one-bathroom layout. Despite its conventional structure, it was definitely larger than average, which was a deliberate choice. Discussions with E. GRANDMOTHER'S APARTMENT LIVING ROOM. PHOTOSHOP ILLUSTRATION BY GREG HILL. F. BEA'S BEDROOM. PHOTOSHOP ILLUSTRATION BY GREG HILL. G. GRANDMOTHER'S APARTMENT. HAND-DRAWN PLAN BY ADAM MULL. F E G