Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1535796
The biggest hurdle of the production proved to be finding a location that would not only work for a newly built Mission Hills subdivision, but that location's proximity to Muriel's eventual love interest, neighbor Sandra (Sasha Calle), who was trying to save her cherished family home and farm of generations from being demolished for a new interstate. We scouted endlessly, but the trifecta needed of a period-accurate int./ext. for Lee and Muriel's new house, continued subdivision construction around it and a visual connection to Sandra's storied family home was truly only possible in one location we found in Santa Clarita. Sandra's family home was an existing empty 1920s bungalow and with scenic work, greens and dressing we leaned more into her family's long ties to California, Hispanic heritage, as well as Sandra's more liberal views of the world. It existed closer to a main road which we needed and a clear view down the way to what would be our developing subdivision, Arroyo Glen. The only way to sell Muriel and Lee's new home purchase within our means was to lean into the idea of the "model" home at the time, while the remainder of the subdivision was being constructed. To mask what we did not want to see around the house location, we built new fencing and a carport, which also helped us sell a more period-accurate home of that era. I also felt strongly a new coat of paint and the additions of A. CONSTRUCTION DRAWING FOR MISSION VALLEY SUBDIVISION. MURIEL AND LEE'S MODEL HOUSE. DRAWN BY BRENDAN O'CONNOR AND KATE WEDDLE. SKETCHUP. BUILT/SHOT ON LOCATION IN SANTA CLARITA. B. MISSION VALLEY SUBDIVISION EXTERIOR. BUILT ON LOCATION IN SANTA CLARITA. SET PHOTO. C. & D. MISSION VALLEY MODEL HOME INTERIOR. SHOT ON LOCATION IN SANTA CLARITA. SET PHOTO. E. & F. SANDRA'S MISSION VALLEY FARMHOUSE SHOT ON LOCATION IN SANTA CLARITA. SET PHOTOS. B C F D E A