Ryan Murphy’s new series ‘The Shards’ premiered on FX and Hulu, bringing to life the story of a teenage Bret Easton Ellis in 1981 Los Angeles. The show is based on Ellis’ novel of the same name, which was originally released as a serialized audiobook on his podcast.
Recreating 1981 LA
The series’ production designer, Cat Smith, aimed to recreate the Los Angeles of the early 1980s, drawing from her own memories of growing up in the Valley during that time. Smith reflected on the era’s wealth fetishization, abundant drugs, drive-by shootings, and serial murder, all of which are reflected in ‘The Shards’.
The show’s costume department, led by Lou Eyrich, opted for a ‘late ’70s, transitional, mauve-y, gray-bluish’ color palette, avoiding the typical neon leotards associated with the 1980s. The team drew inspiration from music videos and films like ‘American Gigolo’ and ‘The Breakfast Club’ to create the characters’ looks.
Styling the Era
The show’s attention to detail extends to its locations, with the team using the exterior of the Bruin Theater and the interior of the adjacent Fox Theater to build the movie palace and surrounding neighborhood. The Sherman Oaks Galleria was recreated using the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach, with the team covering it in red carpeting to stay faithful to the original design.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
