The chilling fifth season of American Horror Story, aptly named “Hotel,” captivated audiences with its dark themes and opulent setting. While the fictional Hotel Cortez was a terrifying amalgamation of nightmares, the show’s creators drew inspiration from a real-life landmark, and filming took place in a painstakingly crafted set on a soundstage, as well as at various Los Angeles locations to complete the vision. The fictional Hotel Cortez owes its existence to the Cecil Hotel‘s disturbing history.
The Cecil Hotel: A Real-Life Horror Story
The primary inspiration for the Hotel Cortez was undeniably the notorious Cecil Hotel, located in downtown Los Angeles. Its dark past, rife with suicides, murders, and unexplained events, provided a chilling backdrop for Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s vision. The Cecil Hotel, now rebranded as Stay on Main, has been the site of countless tragedies, cementing its reputation as one of the most haunted and unsettling locations in the city.
The Cecil Hotel’s allure lies not just in its haunted reputation, but also in its striking Art Deco architecture, which heavily influenced the visual design of the Hotel Cortez. The real hotel’s history, combined with Murphy and Falchuk’s creative license, resulted in a truly terrifying fictional space. While the exterior shots sometimes included the Cecil Hotel and other similar structures, the vast majority of the show’s interior scenes were meticulously built on a soundstage.
Architectural Influences Beyond the Cecil Hotel
While the Cecil Hotel provided the most significant inspiration, the visual design of the Hotel Cortez drew from various sources. Art Deco architecture, prevalent in many historical Los Angeles buildings, played a crucial role in defining the hotel’s aesthetic. The show’s production team meticulously researched and incorporated elements from other iconic buildings to create a unique and unsettling atmosphere. This included researching architectural styles from different decades, reflecting the hotel’s supposed long and tragic history.
The Soundstage: Creating the Hotel Cortez
The vast majority of the Hotel Cortez’s interior was not filmed in an existing building. Instead, the show’s production designers built an elaborate set on a soundstage. This allowed them complete control over the environment, enabling them to create the intricate and often disturbing spaces seen throughout the season.
Set Design and Detail
The set design for “Hotel” was incredibly detailed, reflecting the show’s opulent yet sinister aesthetic. Every room, corridor, and elevator was carefully crafted to create a sense of unease and dread. The production team paid meticulous attention to detail, from the ornate Art Deco fixtures to the blood-stained mattresses, ensuring that every element contributed to the overall atmosphere of the Hotel Cortez.
Challenges of Set Construction
Building such a complex and detailed set presented numerous challenges. The production team had to ensure that the set was both visually impressive and functional, allowing the actors and crew to move freely and effectively. They also had to create a set that could withstand the rigors of filming, including special effects and stunts.
Filming Locations in Los Angeles
While the soundstage housed the majority of the filming, several real-life locations in Los Angeles were also used to capture specific scenes and establish the show’s setting. These locations added a layer of authenticity to the series and further grounded the fictional Hotel Cortez in reality.
Exterior Shots and Establishing Scenes
Exterior shots of the Cecil Hotel and other similar Art Deco buildings were used to establish the location of the Hotel Cortez and provide a visual representation of its imposing presence. These shots helped to create a sense of place and further immerse viewers in the show’s dark and unsettling world.
Specific Location Examples
Although the primary filming was on a soundstage, some external scenes were shot in Downtown Los Angeles. The specific locations used remain somewhat shrouded in secrecy to preserve the mystique of the show, but the production team confirmed utilizing locations with similar architectural styles to the Cecil Hotel to maintain visual consistency.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Hotel Cortez
Here are some frequently asked questions about the filming locations and inspirations behind American Horror Story: Hotel:
FAQ 1: Was the Cecil Hotel actually used for interior filming?
While the Cecil Hotel served as a major source of inspiration and likely provided some exterior shots, the vast majority of interior scenes were filmed on a purpose-built soundstage. This allowed the production team to create the specific look and feel they desired for the Hotel Cortez.
FAQ 2: What inspired the Countess’s Penthouse Suite?
The Countess’s opulent penthouse suite was inspired by a combination of Art Deco design, classic Hollywood glamour, and the personal tastes of the character. The production designers drew inspiration from various sources, including vintage magazines, historical photographs, and the work of renowned interior designers.
FAQ 3: How much did it cost to build the Hotel Cortez set?
While the exact figure remains undisclosed, it is widely believed that the construction of the Hotel Cortez set was one of the most expensive aspects of the entire season. The sheer scale and level of detail involved in creating the set undoubtedly required a significant investment.
FAQ 4: What other horror films influenced the show’s aesthetic?
Besides the Cecil Hotel’s real-life horrors, classic horror films such as “The Shining,” “Psycho,” and various vampire movies influenced the show’s tone, style, and visual language. The production team drew inspiration from these films to create a truly terrifying and unforgettable viewing experience.
FAQ 5: Did any real-life crimes inspire specific scenes in the show?
Yes, the show’s writers drew inspiration from several real-life crimes that occurred at the Cecil Hotel, including the Elisa Lam case and the murders committed by Richard Ramirez, also known as the “Night Stalker.”
FAQ 6: Why did they choose to film on a soundstage instead of a real hotel?
Filming on a soundstage provided the production team with greater control over the environment, allowing them to create the specific look and feel they desired for the Hotel Cortez. It also allowed them to incorporate special effects and stunts more easily and safely.
FAQ 7: What happened to the Hotel Cortez set after filming wrapped?
The fate of the Hotel Cortez set after filming wrapped remains somewhat mysterious. It’s likely that parts of the set were dismantled and repurposed for other projects, while other elements may have been preserved for archival purposes.
FAQ 8: Is the Cecil Hotel as dangerous as the Hotel Cortez?
While the Cecil Hotel has a dark and troubled history, it is important to remember that the Hotel Cortez is a fictional creation. While the Cecil Hotel has been associated with numerous tragic events, it is not as overtly dangerous or supernatural as its fictional counterpart.
FAQ 9: How did the actors feel about filming in such a disturbing setting?
Many of the actors involved in “Hotel” have spoken about the unsettling atmosphere on set. The combination of the dark themes, disturbing imagery, and the knowledge of the Cecil Hotel’s history created a palpable sense of unease.
FAQ 10: Was Lady Gaga involved in the set design?
While Lady Gaga did not directly design the set, her character, The Countess, heavily influenced the show’s overall aesthetic, including the design of her penthouse suite and the hotel’s overall visual style. She worked closely with the costume and set designers to bring her character’s vision to life.
FAQ 11: Are there any tours of the Cecil Hotel that focus on its “American Horror Story” connection?
Following its rebranding, tours have resumed at the Cecil Hotel, now the Stay on Main. While they don’t heavily advertise the AHS connection, guides are often willing to discuss the hotel’s influence on the series. Always check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
FAQ 12: What is the future of the Stay on Main/Cecil Hotel?
The Stay on Main, formerly the Cecil Hotel, has undergone renovations and reopened its doors. While its dark history remains a part of its legacy, the owners hope to create a safer and more welcoming environment for guests, while acknowledging its past.
By blending real-world inspiration with fictional horror, American Horror Story: Hotel created a truly terrifying and unforgettable television experience. The combination of the Cecil Hotel’s unsettling history, the meticulous set design, and the talented cast resulted in a season that continues to captivate and disturb audiences.