The Jackie O Room...

We all LOVED how Director/Producer Tom Verica and Director of Photography Oliver Bokelberg shot the scene of Mellie eating chocolate under the Jackie O portrait in Episode 301!  Just brilliant. 

Many of you have asked about the space and the picture... so here it is.  In brilliant color:

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis portrait was scripted.   It was specifically asked that Mellie be sitting under Jackie while shoveling that candy into her mouth.  A poignant moment for her.  We found several different shots and submitted them to Verica for approval.  This is the iconic one he chose. 

 When we do art like this that can't be rented, we have to first find the image from a clearable source (meaning we are legally clear to use the image on tv).  Once we have the file, we have to get it printed on a canvas like material to the dimensions needed.  Sometimes we can print art in house on our own fancy oversize printer.  Sometimes the work goes out to vendors.  Once printed, it's then taken to an artist who can add the look of an old painting.  They can add a coating over the top that adds brush strokes so it looks as if it's been painted by hand.  They can brush on a coloring to make it feel darkened with age and can even give it that crackled, flaking look that many of the White House art pieces have.  Once we get them back from the artist we take them to be framed.  It's a process.  But in many cases we only have two days or so to turn these around!  We work with great vendors who understand our Scandal Pace and come through for us!  We had no idea how the scene was going to be shot ultimately but were really excited to see the amazing results.

Follow @tomverica and @bokelberg on twitter for some great insight into how that scene was shot and more!

Are We There Yet?!?!........ YES!

It's All About to Go Down.

The Secret Is Out.

The Storm Is Coming.

Dad?!?!?

Whatever hashtag you're feeling, there's one thing that's true: There is only one more sleep til you're back in Ms. Pope's world. 
It's time for Olivia to get to work...and this is where her magic happens.

You made it Gladiators...the summer hiatus is officially OVER.  Pat yourselves on the back.  And then pull out your wine and church fans.  You are gonna need 'em. 

The Socialites of the Office...

Well...today we're taking a walk over to Abby and Harrison's stomping grounds.  Let's dive right in.

ABBY:  The Girl Has Personality and So Does Her Office

Abby's office is full of Abby spiciness...(is that a word?  hhhmm...today it is.)  A great shade of orange...bright, hot, but comfortable.  She has a large commanding desk area.  The desk, credenza and side chairs have a danish modern flavor.  In fact, her office is the only space in OPA with light wood furniture...everyone else has heavier, darker pieces.  Her walls are textured plaster with a lovely rusty orange patch directly behind her desk for some depth.

The lively patterned rug adds some pale green/blue and continues more shades of orange.   The art adds some small doses of blues, greens and bright yellow to the mix. 

Can we talk about the chairs please?

That's all I needed to say.  A great retro pattern gives these all the character they need to anchor this side of the room.   Some gold accents in the desk and table lamp and a little bronze in the bookshelf keeps the metals warm along with the fabrics.  Her bookshelf is full of secret fun reading material and just a few nic nacs to keep a clean, uncluttered look.  Secret sidenote:  Anyone notice the amazing pattern at the top of all the OPA windows?  That, my friends, is peel and stick magic.  This is special tv magic stuff but you too could have a similiar look just by cruising your large home improvement store and finding the same thing.  I added some of this to my bathroom windows for privacy!  Don't everyone go crazy now...use in moderation.  Ok...that's all for Miss Abby.

Now let's cross the threshold into her neighbor's office...

HARRISON:  In the Big Office

There hasn't been a huge push to make this office completely different from the Stephen days.  Yet, there have been some subtle Harrison nuances added in to convey the changing of the guard.
Why?  Well no one is dissing Stephen's departure.  And really, this space was kind of a perfect move for Harrison.

Harrison sits behind a stately dark wood executive desk with matching chunky credenzas behind.  To break up the wood there's a little bit of shine with the metal and leather guest chairs and a green glass bankers lamp.  Added is a patina metal shelving unit with some great accessories, books and storage containers.  He's not a guy with a lot of papers stacked around him.  He's got it all clean and pulled together - kinda like his wardrobe.  Hello.

Pause.  Let's all have a moment of silence on that.

 Ok.  Carry on.   Carry on.
The other side of this room has the clean lines of the red leather sofa and armchair that he's kept from Stephen's days.  And really, it's hard to think of it as not being Harrison.  It's so much like his slick, pop of color shirts and expensive leather shoes kinda furniture that he needed to keep it.  The black smoked glass coffee and end table are devoid of clutter and sharp against the neutral rug.  All of the associates have those amazing frosted glass pendant lights overhead add to the character of the office.