Behind the Scenes of Hollywood Set Decoration: A Photographic Memoir by Lauri Gaffin
The Guardian reviews "Moving Still: A Cinematic Life Frame-by-Frame," a photographic memoir by Lauri Gaffin published by Damiani Books, which highlights her 35-year career as a set decorator. The book combines behind-the-scenes photography with reflections on life on film sets and the collaborative process among directors, actors, production designers, and crew.
Among the projects featured, the Chemosphere House sequence in Charlie’s Angels involved constructing a full stage set and carefully tilting the wraparound windows to avoid camera reflections, with interiors decorated to achieve a mid-century aesthetic. In Land of the Lost, filmed at Trona Pinnacles, California, Will Ferrell appeared alongside reproduction skeletal elements and wolf penis bones sourced from Bone Clones and Valley Anatomical Preparations. Notably, Trona Pinnacles presented on-site challenges due to the absence of bathrooms, trash services, water, and vegetation, requiring extensive logistics and supply transport.
For Captain Marvel, the team sourced a 30-foot cockpit and jet-plane parts from Aviation Warehouse in El Mirage. On-set effects managed debris and explosions while visual effects completed the sequence post-production. The Fargo TV pilot, shot in Edmonton, Alberta, featured Babe’s deserted ice-cream stand topped by a large blue cow, conveying stark, desolate vistas.
In Iron Man 2, furnishings were doubled to endure demolition scenes, and silicone was used to create shattered-glass effects for multiple takes. Thor’s Asgard banquet scenes required an elaborate collection of props, including 94 brass goblets, 200 golden apples of Idunn, oversized loaves, gourds, and meat.
On the set of Zathura, a bathtub was used during filming; Lauri Gaffin later acquired one and gifted it to a cast member. This photographic memoir offers an insightful look at the art and craft of building and wrecking Hollywood sets across decades.
