DAISY JONES & THE SIX, a ten-episode limited series on Amazon Prime Video, tells the story of the rise and fall of a fictional band from their humble beginnings to their cataclysmic downfall. Intertwining two central story lines -- that of Billy Dunne and his band The Six from the streets of Pittsburgh and that of Daisy Jones, a wealthy but neglected child from the hills of Los Angeles – we watch as they come together to form a band during the Laurel Canyon music scene.
Inspired by the story of Fleetwood Mac, the series spans the era of 1961 to 1977 and is anchored by flash-forward interviews set circa 1997. The scope and scale of this project was massive...set in locales across the country and the world, with 3 separate production units: Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Greece. As is often the case with streaming productions, this show was shot cross-boarded in blocks of 6 episodes and 3 episodes at once.
The bulk and core of the story, representing the first 6 episodes, was shot in LA where we are introduced to our characters and their worlds.
Helmed by Set Decorator Lisa Clark SDSA, this portion of the series focuses on the rise of the band from its humble beginnings to early stardom under the guidance of record producer Teddy Price. The world of the 1970s music scene in Los Angeles dominated this part of the story and plays out largely in three types of environments – the world of the character’s homes in Laurel Canyon, the world of the record Producers and recording studios, and the world of the clubs and venues along the Sunset strip.
As Lisa says, “Our intent was to create realistic, believable environments. This story does not live in the heightened, kitschy 70s; we all wanted it to feel like a real, lived experience.”
Teddy Price’s office, Ellemar Records. Stage build. Set Decorator Lisa Clark SDSA reveals, ”This world of record producing gave us the opportunity to create a sophisticated, sexy environment as a counterpoint to the grit of the club scene and the electric environment of the artists and musicians of Laurel Canyon. The color palette acts as a throughline between the environments but is presented in a more restrained, elegant way here.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Ellemar Records conference room. “This is the only set where I used black and chrome accents. Notice the ceiling detail and the floating planter mid-century architectural elements from Production Designer Jess Kender.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Ellemar Records Lobby. Stage Build. Click on the video for more details! Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Ellemar Records, reverse of the Lobby looking back and the Secretary’s desk and into Teddy’s office. “I was determined to find a curved front for this space and my Buyer Robyn Holmes tracked this down at Faux Library. Note the screen accent behind designed and built by the Art Department.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Teddy Price’s house, Living Room. “This was a full dress on location. Quincy Jones was the inspiration for the character Teddy Price, so we began with research on Quincy Jones’s life and homes. The Percival Lafer sofa was the anchor for this set – I was determined to find it in this color and after much searching, we located one in good condition. Much of the items from this set were either purchased or sourced from Modernica, Faux Library, and Omega.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Reverse of the Living Room. “The palette was controlled for this set but also fit within the world of the show. I wanted Teddy’s world to be one of relaxed sophistication, with hits of African art and sculpture which had gained respect by the 70s and informed so much of the mid-century art movement. Hints of brutalist accents can also be seen throughout.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Looking into the rest of the main space of Teddy’s home. Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Reverse of Teddy’s home office (see photo top of page), peppered with accolades and vintage Jazz posters (others out of frame). Note the reel-to-reel cabinet in the corner. Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
AND there's more!
Click on SHOW MORE PHOTOS below for more of Teddy's + the band's house, and other distinctive sets...
Also...
Lisa led a large department of two Assistant Set Decorators Rae Deslich SDSA and Andi Brittan SDSA, 2-3 Buyers with the core Buyers Robyn Holmes, SDSA Associate and Yumi Arai, Leadman Nelson Bush, multiple gang bosses, and upwards of 25 set dressers. On this location heavy show, we were often dressing multiple locations at once in far flung places, and the contributions of the Asst. Set Decorators were invaluable. Andi Brittan joined the team when the concert set Diamond Head that was supposed to shoot at the end of the first block was pulled up to week 2 of shooting due to location changes.
Lisa points out, “It was as if this event was a premonition because, as the Band leaves for its first tour, so did Andi who left for New Orleans to helm that portion of the show as we continued to shoot here in LA. Andi led a similar-sized department of Additional Set Decorator Georgia Schwab, Assistant Set Decorator Kat Sotelo, Buyers Christine Staggs, Madilyn Turin, and Mara Certic, as well as Lead and crew. She created and executed the Set Decoration of the bulk of the last three episodes, which were dominated by the world of hotels, green rooms, and a massive concert tour.
It is in these sets we see the reality of life on the road, the toll it takes, and the stark visual contrast between the veneer of opulence in the places they stay and the daily grind of life on the road."
SHOW MORE PHOTOS
Small study in Teddy’s House, a proper wall for gold records! Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
“We thought a lot about the woman who once lived here. Most people purchase the bulk of their furniture when they are in their middle age, which meant the house was peppered with elements from the ‘30s and ‘40s. This was a full dress of a location.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Reverse of the living room. Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Band house: “As the Band grows comfortable in their home, notice some elements were changed, like the heavier curtains were removed to expose the lace and lighten the look; others were added, like throws, crochet, and the peacock and papasan chairs. As young people always do, they take hand-me-downs and re-interpret them, adding their own flare.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Band House kitchen. “Notice the space reflects elements from different eras as the former owner layered in some newer, less expensive items throughout her life. Evidence of the mess and layer of life added by the Band members is in evidence.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
“The Back house in Laurel Canyon, which was on the property at the Band house and is where Billy and Camilla live. We wanted this to feel like a nest, and the first place that Billy really starts to feel at home in his new life. Built Stage Set.” Watch the video above where Lisa and Jess reveal so much back story to these sets! Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Longer shot of the Back House. Photo courtesy Amazon Studios
Boston hotel:“Set Decorator Andi Brittan created the world on the road. Here we see one of the many hotel rooms from tour, this one was set in Boston. Full dress of a location by Assistant Set Decorator Kat Soteloh. Set Decorator Andi Brittan.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Miami hotel: “The Miami Hotel was a pivotal moment in the story, where Daisy almost dies from an overdose. The blocking of the action dictated a lot of the layout, as we need to feel the urgency and the tension as Billy rushes to the bathroom to save her. Full dress of a built set by Set Decorator Andi Brittan.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Miami Hotel, bedroom. “As with all of Daisy’s hotel rooms, there is a feeling of disarray in the space. Note the bathroom through the double doors. The hanging fixture was a particularly challenging find as the set called for a pair and was used as a key element when the scene was shot. Full dress of a built set by Set Decorator Andi Brittan.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
“Chicago Hotel suites, one for each main character. This is Billy’s suite. Elements included a living room and bedroom with custom drapery and upholstery, and a coffee table that required durability for a practical stunt. Design and Decoration was based on research of the +100-year-old “Grande Dame” William Penn Hotel in Pennsylvania, with Rococco Revival and Victorian influences over the years, interior design styles still popular at the hotel at the time. Full dress of a built set by Set Decorator Andi Brittan.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Daisy’s Suite, the Royal Orleans Hotel. “The curved sofa was a rare find and in mint condition with its original fabric. Much of the work done in NOLA required purchasing and shipping as the rental options were limited. Full dress of a built set by Additional Set Decorator Georgia Schwab.”
One of the promotional moments occurs on the set of SNL, which included a full re-build of the period SNL set as well as backstage areas dressed with leftover sketch elements and equipment, per period research. Full dress of a location by Set Decorator Andi Brittan.
“Andi’s role on the show began with the Diamond Head Concert when she was brought in to spearhead this set which was pulled up in the schedule at the last minute. Tents backstage, Tipis sourced and purchased, interior dress of the “flower power” bus, and many layered details throughout. Full dress of a built set on location by Set Decorator Andi Brittan.”
"One of the many touring venues featured in the last three episodes. The equipment had to grow in size and scope as the band played in bigger and bigger venues. Full dress of a location by Set Decorator Andi Brittan." Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
Daisy Jones & The Six Arena stadium stage. Full dress of a built set by Set Decorator Andi Brittan. Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
“The final stage and the story climax at Soldier Field. Andi sourced countless numbers of speakers and other sound equipment as well as built dummy speaker cabinets to stack on the scaffolding rigs. She and her team also created dummy connectors and cabling as there were many shots showing the back of the equipment. Full dress of a built set by Set Decorator Andi Brittan.” Photo courtesy Amazon Studios.
