"Shōgun" Production Designer - Helen Jarvis

Apr 24, 2024

Helen Jarvis, a talented production designer known for her work on Hulu's 'Shōgun,' shares her fascinating journey of recreating 17th-century Japan. She emphasizes the extensive research involved, collaborating closely with Japanese consultants to achieve authenticity. The conversation highlights the intricate design of sets like Osaka Castle and the challenges of blending historical accuracy with modern aesthetics. Jarvis also touches on the innovative techniques used in set construction, making this behind-the-scenes look a must-listen for fans of film and television production.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

Behind the Scenes of Emmy Season

02:35 • 5min

Exploring Classic Film Production Design

08:03 • 11min

Crafting the Visual Heart of 'Shogun'

19:03 • 17min

Artistry in Set Design

36:06 • 14min

Navigating Set Design Challenges

50:05 • 17min

Behind the Scenes of FX's Production Design

01:06:45 • 6min

Exploring Kurosawa's Influence on Set Design

01:12:45 • 2min

Creative Reflections and Pro Renovation Tips

01:14:40 • 3min

On this episode I speak with Production Designer Helen Jarvis about the amazing limited series Shögun. The series is a massive undertaking with intense research, diving into historical texts, paintings, and archival material. She discusses that the goal is to not just recreate 17th-century Japan in the “Shoin-Zukuri” style but also make it visually compelling for a modern audience. Filmed on location in Vancouver, Shögun enlisted expert consultants from Japan to work with the Canadian crew in what became a seamless collaboration between Eastern and Western talents in service of telling a truly authentic Japanese story.Committed to being authentic to the era, the sets, locations, décor, props and construction builds for Shögun were designed to make the viewer - and cast - believe they stepped into 1600 feudal Japan.Helen describes how the sets were spread across two expansive exterior backlots, a remote mountainside location and two massive sound stages, which housed all the interiors of Osaka Castle, gardens, a Catholic mission and parts of the imposing ship the Erasmus. This series is a gorgeous design accomplishment and all episodes are now streaming on Hulu.Are you a fan of TV and film production? Do you love learning about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating your favorite shows and movies? Then you need to check out the Decorating Pages podcast!As an Emmy-winning set decorator, host Kim Wannop brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to each episode, featuring interviews with some of the top names in the industry. From production designers to set decorators to prop masters, each guest offers a unique perspective on the art and craft of visual storytelling.Whether you're a film buff, a design enthusiast, or just love hearing fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, the Decorating Pages podcast is a must-listen. So why wait? Subscribe now and get ready to take a deep dive into the world of TV and film production!#DecoratingPagesPodcast #TVProduction #FilmProduction #BehindTheScenes #VisualStorytelling #SetDecorator #ProductionDesigner #PropMaster #DesignEnthusiast #FilmBuff #PodcastLove #SubscribeNowSubscribe to Decorating Pages Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio,iHeartRadioFollow at: @decoratingpages on Twitter decoratingpages on IG Decorating Pages Podcast on YouTube @decoratingpagespodcast on TicTokContact Kim Wannop at kimwannop@decoratingpagespodcast.comwww.decoratingpagespodcast.com