As a writer and journalist, I have always been fascinated by the way Haruki Murakami blends reality with surrealism in his writing. His works often feature characters who are dealing with unexpected events that force them to question their perceptions of what is real and what is not. This same sense of disorientation can be found in the world of set-building, where designers must create environments that appear both familiar and otherworldly.
In recent years, there has been a growing demand for sets that can transport audiences into new worlds. From elaborate stage productions to immersive experiences at theme parks, designers are using cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences for audiences around the globe.
One company at the forefront of this trend is 4Wall Entertainment Lighting. With offices in Las Vegas, New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles, 4Wall provides lighting and rigging solutions for concerts, corporate events, TV shows, and more.
According to Jake Tickleman, Director of Creative Services at 4Wall Entertainment Lighting: “Set design has become an integral part of many events today. Whether it’s a concert or a brand activation event or even just filming on location somewhere unique – having an interesting set piece helps bring attention to whatever you’re creating.”
Tickleman describes how his team uses advanced computer-aided drafting (CAD) software to create detailed plans for each project they undertake. These plans include precise measurements of every element within the set design – from lighting fixtures to scenic elements like trees or buildings.
Once these plans have been approved by clients and any necessary revisions have been made, 4Wall’s production team begins building each element individually before assembling them on site.
“The process takes time,” Tickleman says. “But we believe it’s worth it because it allows us to catch any potential issues before they become major problems.”
Of course not all sets require such intense planning; sometimes creative inspiration strikes without warning. For instance, when I first walked into the offices of the creative agency Giant Spoon in Los Angeles, I was immediately struck by the set that had been built for a recent event.
The event, which was hosted by HBO and featured an interactive experience based on the hit show Westworld, required a set that evoked both the dusty Old West and futuristic technology. The team at Giant Spoon came up with a design concept that combined traditional materials like wood and leather with high-tech elements like LED lighting and touchscreens.
“We wanted people to feel like they were walking into another world,” says Mark Silverman, Creative Director at Giant Spoon. “And we knew that building a physical environment was key to achieving that.”
One of the most impressive aspects of the Westworld set was its attention to detail. From vintage-looking saloon doors to custom-made cowboy hats for staff members, every element had been carefully considered.
“We knew we needed to create an immersive experience,” says Silverman. “So we made sure everything felt authentic – down to the smallest details.”
Creating such immersive environments often requires designers to think outside of traditional boundaries. For example, when 4Wall Entertainment Lighting worked on an activation for Nike during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, they used projection mapping technology to transform a basketball court into a vibrant cityscape.
“Projection mapping allows us to take any surface – even something as flat as a basketball court – and turn it into something completely different,” explains Tickleman. “It’s one of our favorite techniques because it really lets us push boundaries creatively.”
Of course not all sets are meant to be surreal or otherworldly; some simply need to look realistic enough for audiences to believe in them. This is especially true in film and television production where sets must appear naturalistic but also allow cameras and lighting rigs access from multiple angles.
One company well-versed in this type of set-building is Scenic Expressions Inc., based in California. Scenic Expressions has been in business for over 30 years and specializes in creating sets that are both functional and visually impressive.
“We’ve built everything from simple living rooms to entire city blocks,” says Joe Connolly, President of Scenic Expressions Inc. “And we always strive to make sure our sets look as real as possible.”
Connolly describes how his team uses a combination of traditional materials like wood and plaster with modern techniques like CNC routing and laser cutting to create intricate details within each set.
“Technology has really changed the way we build sets,” he says. “But at the end of the day it’s still all about craftsmanship.”
One recent project that Connolly is particularly proud of is a set they built for the Netflix series Dead To Me. The show follows two women who become unlikely friends after meeting at a grief support group; much of the action takes place inside Jen’s house, which had to be designed to accommodate multiple camera angles.
“The challenge with this set was making sure it felt like a real home,” explains Connolly. “But also being able to shoot from any angle without revealing too much.”
To achieve this balance, Scenic Expressions built multiple versions of each room within Jen’s house – including one that could be rotated on a turntable.
“It was definitely a complex build,” recalls Connolly. “But watching it all come together on screen made it worth it.”
As audiences continue to demand more immersive experiences from their entertainment, designers will need to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new technologies in order to create unforgettable worlds for them to explore. Whether building elaborate stage productions or realistic film sets, these artists know that every detail counts when it comes to transporting audiences into another realm – just like Haruki Murakami does with his writing.