Ryan Murphy is one of the most prominent creative figures in Hollywood today. The release of his latest project in September, the series Ratched (in which he serves as executive producer and developer), was an international success, taking the top spot on the “most watched” list. on the Netflix platform in several countries, including Brazil. Murphy - winner of 5 Golden Globes and 7 Emmys - has written productions that are well-known among television binge-watchers, including Nip Tuck, American Horror Story, Glee and The Politician. He also wrote the script for and directed the feature film “Eat, Pray, Love”, starring Julia Roberts and produced by none other than Brad Pitt.
The art direction of Murphy's productions is particularly striking, especially in his last three series, The Politician, Hollywood and Ratched. All of them feature luxurious locations, elaborate sets with rich detail and vibrant color palettes. Like other masters, such as Wes Anderson for example, Ryan Murphy has managed to develop a particular aesthetic that is immediately associated with his name.
The lush visuals are enhanced by the variety of camera angles. Wide, tight, tilted and distorted shots allow the viewer to appreciate every inch of the space. In the series, the buildings, furniture, costumes, colors and decorative objects are so striking that they become transform into characters.
Ratched, an architectural series
Inspired by the villainous nurse character from the book “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” the titular protagonist of the series is a mysterious woman determined to work in a 1940s psychiatric clinic. Mildred Ratched - played brilliantly by Sarah Paulson - creates a web of dark influences, full of drama, perversity and murder.
Because this is a period piece, the costumes are particularly elaborate. Dresses, tailleurs, suits and even hospital uniforms have the beautiful cuts and fits that only tailoring can offer.
In this incarnation, the psychiatric hospital is very different from the 1976 film version starring Jack Nicholson. Rather than being dark and desolate, Santa Lucia Hospital feels more like a luxury hotel, with its colorful walls, velvet armchairs, and voluminous curtains. In fact, production designer Judy Becker drew on chic Californian hotels and the work of the legendary Dorothy Draper to design the sets.
Murphy's goal was for the peaceful, beautiful atmosphere to contrast with the horrors that unfold within. The exterior shots were filmed at the King Gillette Ranch mansion in Malibu Creek, a complex designed by architect Wallace Neff in the late 1920s. . The interiors, such as bedrooms and living rooms, were filmed at FOX studios.
Much of the furniture, including the sofas, lamps and sconces, was made for the series. The latter includes an upward light so that the actors' faces can be illuminated in a more frightening way, depending on the scene.
Another breathtaking location is the home of Sharon Stone's character, the vengeful socialite Lenore Osgood. Covered in detail, the mansion was decorated with oriental and exotic inspirations. The exaggerated style comes from the slightly stereotypical view of Asia, with a good deal of dose of exoticism and
ktsch . In the residence, there are all the clichés like bonsais, silks, prints, sanctuaries and gardens. Lenore almost always appears wearing colorful robes and accompanied by a pet monkey.
