Welcome to the fascinating world behind ‘The Studio’, where creativity meets challenge in the Thunderdome of production.

Welcome to the ‘Thunderdome’: Behind-the-Scenes of ‘The Studio’

The stars of The Studio faced a significant challenge — learning their lines at breakneck speed and performing them in single takes. However, behind the scenes, the crew encountered their own set of hurdles to realize the vision of co-creators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg for Continental Studios. Their efforts did not go unnoticed, as the series garnered 23 nominations, including 10 for below-the-line crafts.

Costumes and Hairstyling: Distinctive Looks for The Studio’s Characters

Rogen and Goldberg aimed to celebrate the golden era of Hollywood, presenting a unique challenge for the costume and hairstyling team: to blend that classic aesthetic with a modern twist. They collaborated closely to craft the now-iconic looks for the employees of Continental Studios, ensuring that no two appearances were alike. “When you saw a piece of clothing, you knew exactly which character would be wearing it,” explains lead costume designer Kameron Lennox. “It wouldn’t be something that anybody else in the studio could wear. You’d see a seat and know that’s Matt Remick’s suit or tie.”

Then Vanessa Price and her hair team would step in, particularly for Kathryn Hahn’s ultra-stylized head of marketing. “She’d be wearing this wild full suit, boot pant situation,” Price describes. “How do we add to that? That’s how what I call the Thunderdome look kind of happened. It was also about the character’s moment, helping our actors get into their roles.”

Production Design: Building The Studio in Just 7 Weeks

The one-take shooting style posed challenges not only for the actors but also for the crew. Rogen and Goldberg wanted the sets constructed well in advance to allow for rehearsing camera movements and performances. Production designer Julie Berghoff and her team had just seven weeks to build the offices of Continental Studios. “It was balls to the wall,” recalls Berghoff. “Seth and Evan were very open to whatever we presented. They just gave us a little nudge, and we ran with it.”

They drew inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright, stating, “because he was 1920s,” and embraced a Mayan tomb-like vibe to emphasize the focus on feature films and the sense of entrapment felt by Matt Remick’s character.

Given the tight timeline, the pressure was immense to complete construction on schedule. “We had the heaters on full blast to try to get the plaster to dry on set — that’s how down to the wire we were,” recalls set decorator Brian Grego. Yet, the team thrived on the challenge, whether creating zombies or cabins in the woods. “Every day we were like, what can we do next?” says Berghoff. “That is a designer’s dream.”

Sound Editing and Mixing: Capturing the Awards Show Experience

For the Golden Globes episode of The Studio, Rogen and Goldberg aimed to encapsulate every aspect of the Beverly Hilton experience, including the sound of the ballroom. This presented a unique set of challenges for the sound editing and mixing team — including George Haddad, Fred Howard, Lorenza Perez Batista, and Buck Robinson. “It was a monumental task — there were hundreds, if not over a thousand extras to manage with sound, whether we were doing Foley or background voices,” says supervising sound editor Haddad. “It’s perfect for nerds like us. It’s such a gift to get that episode.”

They also had to source the right kind of mic that would have been used at the Globes, ensuring authenticity. Additionally, they aimed to create the ambiance of a live band performing at the right volume.

Somehow, they managed to blend everything while ensuring the dialogue remained clear — after all, it is a comedy with a narrative that needed to shine. “We wanted to sprinkle in the crowds, the laughs, the applause, to a point where it’s supportive but not competing,” Haddad explains. “That was the one note we received due to the story they wanted to tell.”

Looking ahead to season two, the team knows they will face new challenges. “We know the footprint now, but my anxiety moving forward will be that Seth and Evan always want to push the envelope just a little bit farther,” Robinson admits. “So I’m excited and anxious to see what challenges await us.”

The article and videos are presented by Apple TV+.