The White House has always been a fascinating setting for TV shows and movies to explore the inner workings of the highest office in America. This season, series like “The Residence,” “Zero Day,” and “Paradise” are delving into the halls and bedrooms of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Due to restrictions on filming at the real location, production designers have had to get creative in replicating the historic residence through their work. For Netflix’s political thriller “Zero Day,” production designer Anastasia White had the task of creating a fictional Oval Office for the show. She rented an existing set and modified it to fit the vision of the series, adding more color and modern touches while still keeping a traditional feel.
In “Zero Day,” Angela Bassett plays the current president, and White made sure to maintain a consistent visual language in the set design to reflect the tone of the previous administration. Meanwhile, on Dan Fogelman’s political thriller “Paradise,” production designer Kevin Bird embraced a youthful aesthetic for James Marsden’s president, creating a space that was both modern and fitting for the character.
“Paradise” has a dystopian twist and is set in an underground world in Colorado after a global catastrophe. Bird and his team worked to recreate the Oval Office and the Rose Garden at a 95% scale, using white walls to make the suits of the characters pop on screen. The warm lighting in the underground city provided a stark contrast to the white tones of the White House set.
In “The Residence,” production designer François Audouy wanted to show audiences a White House they had never seen before. The show, a whodunnit with Uzo Aduba as detective Cordelia Cupp, was shot at Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles, where Audouy built sets inspired by the multi-level house in Jerry Lewis’ film “The Ladies Man.” Seven stages were used to build different floors, which were then digitally composited together for the final look.
Overall, these series are giving viewers a new perspective on the White House, showcasing creative and unique interpretations of the iconic location. Production designers have put their skills to the test in creating sets that capture the essence of the presidency while adding their own imaginative touches. When the camera moves through the spaces and they’re glued together digitally, it gives the effect that it’s all a contiguous space, even though it’s not. This seamless blending of different spaces digitally creates a cohesive and immersive experience for viewers, especially in a setting as grand as the White House.
Production designer Audouy had the opportunity to elevate the aesthetics of the fictional presidency portrayed in the show by enhancing colors and stylizing the spaces to create a visually captivating environment. The largest set on the show was the State Floor, spanning an impressive 21,000 square feet and requiring two conjoining soundstages. Audouy described it as a “showstopper” that set the stage for the grandeur of the White House.
The White House State Floor is known for its rooms designated by color, such as the Green, Blue, and Red Rooms, as well as state dining rooms and various offices. Audouy paid attention to detail by including fireplaces in every room, custom drapery, and imported wallpaper from Italy. While drawing inspiration from the real White House State Floor, Audouy took creative liberties to stylize the spaces and push the boundaries of traditional design.
For each room, Audouy selected specific shades and designs to reflect the vision of the show. The Red Room was adorned in Cardinal Red, while the Blue Room drew inspiration from past photographs and the Kennedy administration’s design. By refining the audience’s perception of the State Floor and adding a stylized touch, Audouy created a unique and captivating visual experience.
In addition to the State Floor, Audouy also envisioned other areas of the executive mansion, including the Treaty Room, central hallway, and bedrooms like the Lincoln and Queen’s rooms. Each space was meticulously designed to have its own character and contribute to the overall narrative of the show.
One of the more challenging areas to design was the basement, as there are limited references available. Audouy took creative freedom in imagining a labyrinthine space with low ceilings and rusty pipes, creating a contrast to the luxurious upper floors. This interpretation added depth and complexity to the setting, evoking an “upstairs-downstairs” atmosphere.
Overall, Audouy’s attention to detail and creative vision brought the White House to life on screen, blending reality with fiction to create a visually stunning and immersive environment for viewers to explore. The seamless integration of different spaces digitally and the stylized design elements contributed to the overall allure of the show’s presidential setting.
