Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Ice Hotel Set in Pluribus
In a flashback scene in episode three of the show Pluribus, Carol and Helen find themselves in a Norwegian igloo hotel seven years before the Joining event. The icy room, created on a soundstage in the Canary Islands, was meticulously designed by production designer Denise Pizzini using translucent panels and Styrofoam blocks. The challenge was to make the set look real and properly lit without any reflections from the lights or cameras in the ice.
Working with cinematographer Paul Donachie, they experimented with different materials to achieve the desired effect. The walls and sculptures in the room were carved out of Styrofoam and coated in plaster to resemble real ice. Special effects were used to add texture with fake snow, and lighting techniques were employed to create a cold atmosphere on camera.
To enhance the scene, Donachie decided to film it in a 360-degree, one-take shot, showcasing every detail of the room. This decision influenced Pizzini's design, ensuring that every part of the space was dressed for the camera. Despite the challenges, the team successfully executed the sequence, capturing the intricate details of the ice hotel room.
The hallway leading to the ice hotel room posed a greater challenge for Pizzini and Donachie due to budget constraints. They had to scale down the set design while maintaining the magical feel of the scene. Despite the limitations, they used creative camera angles to create the illusion of a longer corridor in the final shot.
After filming the segment, the elaborate set was likely discarded, with some props possibly kept as mementos by the crew. The Styrofoam used for the ice hotel set was repurposed for the body parts seen in later episodes, showcasing the practical approach favored by show creator Vince Gilligan. The body parts were meticulously crafted by hand, adding a realistic touch to the warehouse scenes in the show.
Overall, the intricate set design and practical effects used in Pluribus added depth and authenticity to the storytelling, creating a visually captivating experience for viewers. The attention to detail and creative solutions employed by the production team contributed to the success of the flashback sequence and subsequent episodes of the show.