Set for Success: Best Movie Sets In History
A set can be make or break for any movie. The characters and dialogue carry the film’s story, of course, and the costumes add to that, but if the backdrop to all the action doesn’t quite fit, the movie won’t tell the tale it’s meant to. This article checks out three of the best sets in movie history and shares why people love them so much.
Atlantic City
New Jersey is famous for many of its casinos, particularly in Atlantic City. Those who feel lucky come to take a stroll down the boardwalk and try their hands at card tables- just like Lou in the 1980 movie named after the city itself.
In the 80s, nothing compared to the glitz and glam of AC, and that’s captured so perfectly in the sets of this film. The grit of the scenes and the casinos on set are highlighted against the backdrop of the glimmering lights and slot machines. Much of the film was made on location in the real Atlantic City, so authenticity rings through the production. Only two casino hotels were open in AC at the time, so the film brought a lot of attention to the area and helped build it up as a gambling mecca.
Today, this scene looks different to what it did in the 80s and 90s. While, the area still thrives, like most industries today, many of the casinos have gone digital. The online casinos NJ hosts provide similar entertainment options but are also able to offer a larger selection of games without having to worry about running out of space.
Source: Pexels
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Wes Anderson’s movies are famous for the connection between the perfectly art-directed and costumed characters and the immaculately designed and thought-out sets. Blocking, color coordination, and exaggerated emphasis on well-known and often slightly kitschy locations all come together to create films that are almost dream-like in their artistic qualities.
The Grand Budapest Hotel stands out in particular amongst Anderson’s works thanks to the easily recognizable pink walls and golden era styling employed throughout the hotel’s areas. Anderson’s affinity for all things analog stands out a mile in the building of miniature sets that make up all the outdoor shots of the hotel. The intimacy created by using devices like this comes through in spades and can be seen in the train scenes as well- which were not actual trains at all.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino is well known as a man who does everything over the top, which is why mostly toned-down sets, costumes, and character interactions of Once Upon a Time In Hollywood were such an interesting and pleasant surprise. Mostly toned down because there’s a scene with a flamethrower that has to be seen to be believed!
Production designers say that the sets were a love letter to the town that Tarantino grew up in, classic Hollywood in the 1960s and 70s. The vivid colors of LA during those periods, as well as the cultural influences that the film focuses on, like Westerns, Margaritaville moments in every day, and pop art heavily inspire the sets. More than 150 sets made up the infamous Tate home, the fictional Dalton home, movie sets, restaurants, the Spahn Movie Ranch, and mobile homes, and each was meticulously crafted.
Source: Pexels
These movie sets have stood the test of time as some of the best and will continue to do so for many years to come.
