Ghost Light - Feature Film
The location for this feature was a literal blank slate, which presented some interesting challenges; there would be a lot of dialog filmed on this set, and the hard surfaces posed some issues for sound. I also had to plan for a 360º stedicam shot that would expose the entire room in a oner, so I needed to provide as many practicals as possible. We covered the walls with plush fabric to dampen the sound and give the appearance of embossed wallpaper, adding tall velvet curtains on each window and ornate Persian rugs on the floor.
In the script, this set is the studio apartment of an elderly couple who lived for 40 years above the theater they founded until the husband’s death brought the lease into question. I wanted the space to reflect the history of their relationship as well as feel eclectic and thrifted—leaning into the idea that many of the pieces in the apartment were at some point used on stage. Since we never physically see the husband in this room, I wanted to be sure to include items that refer to him inhabiting the space—his cologne, valet, and knickknacks remain there even after he died. I created a gallery wall of photographs, newspaper articles, and reviews of past “performances” from the couple’s long history interspersed with artwork and mementos of their travels together.
