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Summary
- Severance’s filming locales were strategically selected to amplify the show’s uniquely eerie tone.
- The actual Lumon Industries building in New Jersey plays a vital role in establishing the series’ chilling ambience.
- Real locations like Pip’s restaurant and the birthing retreat at Mohonk Preserve lend authenticity to the narrative.
Apple TV+’s Severance has captured the imagination of viewers with its strikingly sterile office environments and hauntingly beautiful outdoor scenes. The show’s unsettling mood is intricately linked to its visual presentation, particularly the portrayal of Lumon Industries, which feels simultaneously advanced and oppressively ordinary. Fans of the series often express interest in the real-life locations that contribute to the show’s surreal storyline. From austere office settings to expansive snowy landscapes, each filming site plays a critical role in enhancing the disquieting tone and intricate narrative of Severance. But what are these real-world locations, and how do they augment the show’s chilling vibe?
Unlike many contemporary productions that lean heavily on digital effects and sound stages, Severance opts for actual locations to vividly depict Lumon Industries and its surroundings. Notably, the exterior of the Lumon building has evolved into a character in itself. The exterior shots of the fictional town also create a striking counterpoint to the show’s deeper themes, encapsulating the mundane realities of the characters’ lives. By combining authentic locations with thoughtfully designed sets, the filmmaking choices in Severance significantly immerse viewers in its unsettling universe.
Lumon Industries Exterior
The selection of the Lumon Industries building was somewhat serendipitous for the production team. Director Ben Stiller shared that they stumbled upon this actual structure during a routine online search. The show’s cinematographer, Jessica Lee Gange, discovered the iconic building while exploring office architecture on Google.
Upon seeing the Bell Labs facility in Holmdel, New Jersey, the team immediately recognized its potential for the series. Stiller noted that the unusual layout of the parking area and the sheer size of the building were ideal for their vision. Remarkably, it turned out that this location had never been featured in a film before, making it the perfect candidate to embody Lumon.
Other Severance Season 1 Scenes
Similar to the Lumon building, Pip’s restaurant plays a pivotal role in the series, particularly as a recurring spot for the character Mark Scout. Its significance is enhanced by the notion that it may be the only eatery in the fictional town of Kier, which appears to be relatively small and unassuming. Pip’s is not a fictional creation; it is based on the real Phoenicia Diner located in New York’s Catskill region.
Another noteworthy location is the birthing retreat where characters Devon and Ricken welcome their child. Much like the previous settings, this retreat is an authentic site, specifically the lodges at Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, New York. The producers opted to film in upstate New York, with several key visual elements drawing from real-life locations. Mark’s residence and Mrs. Colvig’s townhouse are actually in Nyack, while Irving’s apartment is set in Kingston.
Woe’s Hollow Is A Real State Park
One of the most expansive settings appears in Episode 4 of the second season, where the “Innies”venture outside Lumon for the first time without being attached to the Overtime Contingency. The location known as “Woe’s Hollow”features the MDR team as they embark on a snowy retreat, with the scenes filmed at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County, New York, using Awosting Falls to represent the fictional waterfall claimed to be the “tallest waterfall in the world.”
Irving’s dream sequences were taped at Sam’s Point, further enriching the show’s dreamy and bleak aesthetic. Elements like a snowy blueberry field in the state park were utilized, creating a stunning yet emotionally haunting backdrop that adhered to the overarching themes of Severance.
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