Plenty of Taylor Swift fans agree that the Grammy Award winner’s “Blank Space” music video is one of her best—arguably because it spotlights two historic mansions in Long Island, New York: Oheka Castle and Winfield Hall (AKA Woolworth Mansion).
To find out exactly how these grand homes were transformed for the music video (which has more than 2.8 billion views and counting), House Beautiful spoke to the video’s production designer, Marla Weinhoff.
“With any project, especially a music video, everything needs to be done at lightning speed—and without a great budget,” says Weinhoff. “We try to reflect the spirit and aesthetic of the artist, and interpret and enhance the song in a visual way. We always obsess over every detail and in the end the things the viewer sees are a split second, but setting the scene for the actors to feel they are in a real place is always key to getting a brilliant performance.”
Bringing “Blank Space” to life meant highlighting Swift's signature song persona as a serial dater who “jet sets around the world collecting men.” Naturally, a jet-setter of that caliber would reside in a fabulous mansion of sorts—and both over-the-top properties fit the bill.
YouTube
The video features several interior shots of Winfield Hall, including the opulent dining room (in which one scene features Swift and model Sean O’Pry seated at either end of the table). Realistic portraits of O'Pry and other male models were created by artists Jessie Bearden and David Phendler, Weinhoff reveals.
“We found some great vintage frames [sourced from prop house Eclectic Encore]—and then worked with Taylor to come up with ways to destroy them,” the production designer adds. “My personal favorites were the ones where she stabbed Sean with a knife, and [when] she did a giant scratching claw mark across the face. It looked great and I’m sure it was an incredible release of tension during a long and demanding shoot.”
YouTube
Some of the most production's memorable scenes were filmed at Oheka Castle (which
Succession fans might recognize as the Hungarian castle from the HBO show's second season)—including shots of Swift and O’Pry riding horses amid a gorgeous backdrop (designed by the Olmsted brothers) and having a picnic on the grounds (a scene for which Swift requested that her favorite treats be used, discloses Weinhoff). Another notable scene shot at Oheka? The one in which Swift bashes the hood of a Shelby AC Cobra, which was sourced from the Cooper Classics Collection.
“We also made use of a beautiful staircase and an empty room to make the bedroom scene with [Swift’s] cat, Olivia,” divulges Weinhoff. “The script called for [Swift] to have a heart cake in bed that would bleed as she cut into it. This was custom made as well, and required quite a bit of engineering. We also made custom bed linens and a canopy to make it romantic and dreamy to fit the story line and our star.”
YouTube
Though the Cobra car bashing and other parts of the video were made possible by CGI, the horses and deer seen were very much real. “All animals shot at location, including the deer!” Weinhoff tells House Beautiful. “We worked with the animal trainers as well as a humane association representative and had to prepare the surfaces properly for the safety of the animal, and also location protection.”
YouTube
Given Swift’s track record for filming music videos at sumptuous estates (did we mention her “Love Story” music video was also filmed at a castle?), we’re sure this won’t be the last time we see her award-winning songs come to life in an extravagant abode. In the meantime, take a look at our ranking of the best houses showcased in her music videos here—and watch the “Blank Space” video below.
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
And in case you want to live like the pop star, you're in luck: Winfield Hall, which failed to sell at auction earlier this year, is still up for grabs—so you too can realize your own "Blank Space" fantasy!
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
"blank" - Google News
November 02, 2021 at 04:05AM
https://ift.tt/3BvBNra
How Two Long Island Mansions Were Transformed for Taylor Swift's “Blank Space” Music Video - HouseBeautiful.com
"blank" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3aXU3fw
https://ift.tt/2Wij67R
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "How Two Long Island Mansions Were Transformed for Taylor Swift's “Blank Space” Music Video - HouseBeautiful.com"
Post a Comment