“Better Call Saul,” the critically acclaimed prequel to “Breaking Bad,” has always been known for its meticulous attention to detail. Every shot, every prop, often feels ripped straight from the fabric of reality. But when it came time to film the Season 6 department store heist involving Kim Wexler and Jimmy McGill’s burgeoning criminal enterprise, the show took a detour from real-world locations.
The Scene: A Daring Heist
The sequence is both tense and hilarious. Kim uses her chameleon-like legal skills to pose as a representative for a bogus foundation. Meanwhile, Jimmy distracts management with a fake inspection. All this while Lalo Salamanca’s henchmen quietly ransack the store’s backroom safe. The scene’s authenticity stems from its carefully crafted set dressing. Every rack of clothes, every display aisle feels like an actual bustling department store.
Behind the Illusion: Sound Stages and Production Design
So where did they film this elaborate operation? Not in your typical department store, as many viewers might assume. “Better Call Saul” employed a combination of sound stage construction and meticulous prop work to create the illusion of a real-world retailer. The production design team recreated an entire department store interior on their soundstage, paying intense attention to detail – from meticulously placed mannequins to realistic merchandise displays.
The Pros and Cons: Why Choose a Sound Stage?
Using a controlled environment like a sound stage offers several advantages for filmmakers.
- Complete Control: They can manipulate lighting, set dressing, and sound to create the precise atmosphere they need without worrying about foot traffic or store operating hours.
- Flexibility: A dedicated set allows for multiple takes, camera angles, and even last-minute changes in the scene’s design.
However, it also comes with challenges:
- Authenticity Considerations: While production designers strive for realism, there can sometimes be subtle differences between a constructed set and a genuine store environment.
- Cost Factor: Building and dressing an elaborate set can be expensive, although ultimately this might be balanced by avoiding the logistical headaches of filming in a real location.
The “Better Call Saul” team’s success in pulling off this cinematic illusion highlights their dedication to crafting believable worlds within their narratives, even when it means going beyond the confines of reality. This begs the question: how do they maintain such high standards across the entirety of both “Breaking Bad” and its prequel? What are some other famous movie heists that used elaborate set construction? And what does this choice say about the artistic vision behind television productions today?
