Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1529668
1 0 0 P E R S P E C T I V E | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 to fixtures was frozen in time. Only after Oz moved his drug operation did modern appliances invade the space and transform it into a contemporary mushroom-growing and drug-making lab. A big part of the series' story centers on the wealthy class, as personified by Carmine Falcone, his daughter Sofia and his extended crime family. This allowed the series to take the audience outside of Gotham to the pristine and manicured Bristol Township. I wanted the area to be reminiscent of The Great Gatsby, so we found a turn-of-the-century Italian villa near Oyster Bay on Long Island for all our exterior shots. We added an Italian-style fountain in the front, and more greens to accentuate Carmine Falcone's desire to impress his visitors. We built the mansion's interiors as a stage set, which allowed me to develop a precise color palette. My artistic goal was to create an impressive home, a design showcase meant to intimidate with its Italian 14th century frescoes, Carrara marble, Venetian plaster, gold trim and oversized fireplace. For the frescoes, I chose the paintings of Simone Martini (1284-1344) for their pre-Renaissance style and lack of perspective. The two-dimensionality of the figures mirrored Carmine's empty soul. At the same time, the knight fresco at the head of the dining table telegraphed to all "the Falcones are powerful, and ready for war." For Carmine's home office, I chose Pompeii-style wall coverings, and a domed ceiling reminiscent of classical Italian architecture, while the kitchen had murals duplicating Leonardo da Vinci landscapes. All those choices had a specific story point: I wanted Carmine's daughter Sofia Falcone (played by actor Cristin Milioti) to grow up in a privileged home full of beautiful Italian history, which was then cruelly taken away. As Sofia emerged from ten years of wrongful confinement in the Arkham A. TROLLEY DEPOT. BUILT AT KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY, BRONX. SET PHOTO. B. TROLLEY DEPOT, OZ'S TICKET BOOTH OFFICE. SET PHOTO. C. FALCONE MANSION. DIRECTOR'S PLAN BUILT AT SILVERCUP NORTH STUDIOS STAGE 1. D. FALCONE MANSION. EXTERIOR LOCATION SHOT AT LA SALVA MANSION, LONG ISLAND. SET PHOTO. E. FALCONE MANSION. GREAT ROOM. SET PHOTO. F. FALCONE MANSION. GREAT ROOM. BUILT AT SILVERCUP NORTH STUDIOS STAGE 1. SET PHOTO. G. FALCONE MANSION. MASTER BEDROOM. SET PHOTO. H. FALCONE MANSION. MASTER BEDROOM. PRODUCTION STILL. A B C D