#MovieMonday: Spectre Production Design

11/23/2015

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#MovieMonday
By Anton Adianto

For the 24th edition of the James Bond series, Spectre was recorded as the second highest opening weekend for a 007 title, second only to Skyfall. This film shows more romantic interlude and mind blowing action as well. One of the significant assets of Spectre is its breathtaking visuals. The various locations in some countries like Rome, Mexico, London and Austria have been showcased in this 148-minute film. Like in every Bond film, Spectre has extensive car chases, high octaneaction sequences and stylish production values.

Oscar-winning production designer Dennis Gassner comes again for his third Bond film, and his fourth collaboration with director Sam Mendes. Gassner’s taste in colour and light, architecture and style are impeccable. Bond shifts through contrasting environments – from hot to cold – from the film opening in Mexico at the sizzling and exotic Day of the Dead celebration to the freezing snow at the Alps.

The parade includes 10 decorative skeleton maquettes and floats. The carnival focal point is ‘La Calavera Catrina’ skeleton, inspired by an inscription from Mexican illustrator and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada. It wears a hat measuring 10 metres wide. To bring the contrasting theme for the snow scene, Gassner and Mendes settle on the Alps which features some key sequences, including the Bond’s adventure to the Hoffler Klinik.“We went to the Alps in Switzerland, Austria and Italy. Luckily, I found Sölden in Austria, and a restaurant, the ICE-Q, at the top of this ski lift which became the foundation for what we needed. The Klinik is a little bit of an ice jewel in the middle of the movie!”Gassner explains.

Gassner tells that the ICE-Q architecture had the perfect decent and clinical as Alpine aesthetic for the Hoffler Klinik. Its location up on the 3,000-metre Gaislachkogl Mountain makes it extra enthralling. With key sequence set inside the Klinik, the production designer built the interior at Pinewood Studios in England, the place that remains as the traditional home of the James Bond films.

Photo by Sony Pictures &MGM

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Anton Adianto
Author
Anton Adianto graduated from Parahyangan Catholic University majoring in architecture. His passion for writing, watching movies, listening to music, uncovering design, exploring the culinary world, traveling, delving into the philosophy of life, meeting people and disclosing all matters related to technology feeds his curiosity. Currently he resides in both Jakarta and Bandung.