Vegas Casino
Set Designer, Concept Designer & Assistant Art Director
The Stand plays with the ideas of good and evil throughout the entire series, and within its created world Vegas is portrayed as the epitome of evil. We designed a Vegas casino to show the debauchery in which some people found themselves apart of after a widespread disease wiped out most of the human population. For this set, I was given the opportunity to create the concept illustrations of the interior of the casino and the set design of Flagg’s penthouse suite. In addition, I created the initial exterior casino concept designs which were then passed onto our visual effects team to elaborate on and integrate into the post production world. All of theses designs were led by production designer Aaron Haye and we worked closely together to try and achieve his vision for post apocalyptic Vegas.
Exterior View of the Vegas Casino created by the visual effects team, based off of our initial concept design and the Planet Hollywood building in Vegas
Exterior View of the Vegas Casino created by the visual effects team, based off of our initial concept design and the Planet Hollywood building in Vegas
Reference image - We based our design off of the Planet Hollywood building in Las Vegas. Then we expanded upon it, by adding gold glass segments, a new addition to the top and some parasitic architectural elements.
Above is my preliminary concept model of the Vegas casino exterior which was then passed onto or visual effects team to enhance. The exterior is based on the Planet Hollywood building in Vegas. We took a parasitic approach to the design by adding in gold glass sections and slashing the building into sharp domineering shapes, as well as adding a multi-story angleed top section. All of this amplifies the sense of power Flagg had on the city and how he was slowly transforming the population within his grasp.
A main element of the design revolved around Flagg’s penthouse suite, which would be located on the top section of the building. We added a slanted roof with angled metal columns crossing across the glass façade to create dynamic shapes for the interior set as well as adding a sense of constriction and force to the building. This was the starting point for the interior penthouse set design. Above is an image of my preliminary concept model the the penthouse location.
A main element of the design revolved around Flagg’s penthouse suite, which would be located on the top section of the building. We added a slanted roof with angled metal columns crossing across the glass façade to create dynamic shapes for the interior set as well as adding a sense of constriction and force to the building. This was the starting point for the interior penthouse set design. Above is an image of my preliminary concept model the the penthouse location.
Interior Vegas Casino
Set Designer (Concept Design) / Assistant Art Director
We took over an abandoned hotel just outside of Vancouver and transformed it into the Vegas casino. It was my role as Assistant Art Director, to help model up the space with the help of some set designers, and create all of the concept renderings to present to our show runners, directors, and to get our vision across to all departments aiding in this massive renovation. One of the biggest factors the model helped with was deciding on finishes for the remodel and to decide which elements would be practical and which would be added in later by our visual effects team. One of the biggest elements of our design was a ceiling oculus and massive hanging light fixture. The light fixture was based on Dante’s Inferno and was to be composed of 20’ - 30’ diameter rings that were suspended above the pool, for a scene where a woman falls from the penthouse, through the rings and into the pool. After much discussion these rings became part of the visual effects world, and because of this I was able to share my model with them so they could then incorporate it into their post production modelling.
This set was a collaboration with hundreds of people, many set designers, graphic artists, wonderful paint, construction and set decorating teams, and many electricians. This is truly the set where you learn the power of a team working together towards a common goal.
Concept Rendering
Location Photo - Before
Location Photo - After
Concept Rendering
Concept Rendering
Set Photo
Concept Rendering
Concept Rendering
Concept Rendering - We designed the set to have a multisotry set extension. This extension included a light fixture created by multiple suspended rings in which one of the character falls though it from the ceiling oculus above. The rings were then added into the set in by visual effects team
Visual Effects Rings - Final Product
Visual Effects Rings - Final Product
Interior Vegas Casino - Penthouse
Set Designer / Assistant Art Director
The penthouse set is where Flagg was ruling from in Vegas, located on top of the casino. We wanted to keep it dark and angular while adding in glints of gold and sheen to elude to the Vegas aesthetic. The overall shape of the space was derived from the exterior model we designed prior, and the front glass facades would connect to the the exterior in the scene where one of characters shatters the glass and plummets to their death below. This set was where Flagg seduces his queen, therefore the bed was to be featured. On the bed, we wanted to continue the sharp lines and allow for extra light to flood down the angular headboard. The entire set displays the flashiness of Vegas while keeping a dark side.
