Apple TV+’s ‘In The Studio’ provides a rich, stylish revamp of Hollywood’s notable architectures, brought to life by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. It spotlights the fictional headquarters of Continental Studios, an elaborate citadel of cinema, inspired by the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural style of the late 1920s. The architecture, characterized by towering cement blocks and elements of Mayan Revival, is virtually a work of art. The stunning display, however, is a fabrication devised entirely on the Warner Bros. Studio lot, offering affectionate tribute to Wright’s Ennis House.
While the masterful illusion of the Continental Studios office is admired, the series also features factual homes of astounding design by renowned architect, John Lautner. These homes are far from ordinary, with Lautner’s signature blend of innovation, iconicity, and extraordinary beauty manifesting in every structure. Among them are the spaceship-like Silvertop (also known as the Reiner-Burchill Residence), the sleek-lined Harvey House, and the marvelously modular Foster Carling House.
‘In The Studio’ acknowledges and appreciates architectural designs that have braved time and conferred a status of legends on certain LA structures. Beyond mocking Hollywood’s obsession with legacy, the series silently glorifies these legendary buildings. Indeed, the featured domiciles yearn for recognition, much like the series’ characters themselves.
Who wouldn’t dream of witnessing Catherine O’Hara, embodying her character to the fullest in a Lautner creation? One such remarkable locale is the Harvey House, a charming gem nestled in the Hollywood Hills. This is the venue where Patty Keigh, the acerbic producer played by O’Hara, greets soon-to-be studio head, Matt Remnick (Seth Rogen) in the first episode entitled ‘The Promotion’.
Built in 1950 for businessman Leo Harvey, the Harvey House is a quintessential manifestation of Lautner’s early prowess. It boasts a wooden circular courtyard, vast stone-laden floors, and towering transparent glass divisions that blur the boundary between the interior and the exterior. Leo’s adornment of the mid-century received a second chance in 1998 when famed actress Kelly Lynch and husband Mitch Glazer successfully outbid Leonardo DiCaprio, purchasing the masterpiece for themselves.
The Harvey House underwent an overhaul guided by Helena Arahuete of Lautner Associates, courtesy of Lynch and Glazer. The renovation, which matched the acquisition price, breathed new life into the relic. The couple continues to dwell in the Harvey House, now accented by an additional charm through its role in ‘In The Studio’.
Another notable inclusion in the series is the famous Reiner-Burchill Residence, more popularly known as Silvertop. The domicile, an exemplar of Lautner’s architectural genius, peaks the hills of Silver Lake. Episode two of the series, ‘The Oner’, sets the stage here, as Matt Remnick navigates through a bustling sunset film production chaotically.
To cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra, Silvertop was but a paradox—an architectural dream and practical dilemma. The domicile’s entire expanse of glass walls environ, implying no space for equipment, light staging and personnel. Despite the hindrances, the tough conditions inspired creative problem-solving, affirming that circumstances shaped Silvertop into being an ideal setting for the series.
Seth Rogen wears multiple hats for the show—as co-creator, director, and actor. He gave voice to these sentiments as he acknowledged the challenges they faced while shooting at Silvertop particularly due to the glass house. Despite the struggles in shooting, the house’s beauty captivated them and encapsulates the beauty of Los Angeles, making it an important part of the storytelling.
The most striking features of Silvertop are its enormous hovering arched concrete roof and glass wall. The house incorporates a drivable spiraling path around the structure. House original Kenneth Reiner’s bankruptcy left the house unfinished until the Burchills came to its rescue in the 1970s, involving Lautner himself in its completion.
Beats President, Luke Wood, and his wife Sophia Nardin became the proud owners of Silvertop in 2014. They undertook its careful restoration, employing architect Barbara Bestor. Over the period of two and a half years, they successfully revived the original glory of the house, right from recreating terrazzo recipes to restoring Lautner’s open-plan kitchen. Notably, Barbara Bestor praises Silvertop as ‘the Fallingwater of the West Coast’.
Within this myriad of architectural wonders is the Foster Carling House, built in 1949. The house posesses futuristic contours, resembling a hybrid of a luxury yacht and a spaceship. It’s located in the Hollywood Hills, showcasing panoramic views of LA. It originally served as a residence for film composer Foster Carling, who desired an open setup to make adequate room for his grand piano and social events.
Foster Carling House emerged as a product of Lautner’s first collaboration with boat builder John de la Vaux, marking the beginning of an association that led to audacious creations like the Harpel Residence II in Alaska and the aforementioned Harvey House. It’s void of interior columns and instead uses cantilevered steel beams to support the rising living space.
This imaginative dwelling’s highlights include a glass-walled indoor-outdoor pool and a movable living room wall that unfolds onto a terrace thereby extending the sofa into open air. Within this distinct setting, the characters Matt Remick and Sal Saperstein (Ike Barinholtz) enjoy a viewing of Goodfellas in episode one having earlier unknowingly derided Martin Scorsese himself.
The recurring character of Remick’s girlfriend, a pediatric oncologist played by Rebecca Hall, also enjoys some of her screen time at the Foster Carling House in episode six titled ‘The Pediatric Oncologist’. Last acquired by fashion designer Jeremy Scott in 2014, the house contributes to the illustrious lineup of Lautner’s works, displaying timeless midcentury panache.
Thus, ‘In The Studio’ transcends the conventional portrayal of Hollywood by merging satirical and sincere appreciation of the city’s architecture. Ironically, the fictional Continental Studios, inspired by real legends, enthuses real charm, whereas actual houses by Lautner infuse veracity into the TV series. These structures bring an enduring taste of architectural grandeur to the plot, each building reiterating its unique story, much like the characters that dwell within them.
The post Apple TV+’s ‘In The Studio’ Immerses in Hollywood’s Architectural Grandeur appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
