How did True Blood create its look for the Vampire Authority?
In a sneak peek at a season five DVD extra focusing on the ornate set design of the HBO drama, which The Hollywood Reporter exclusively debuts, creator Alan Ball recalled conversations he had with "genius" production designer Suzuki Ingerslev.
His criteria for the council was: "It should look ancient and contemporary."
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Ingerslev spoke of a visit to Istanbul, where she went to a place called the Sunken Palace (or the Basilica Cistern), which served as the inspiration for the Vampire Authority's lair.
"When I went to that space a long time ago, I said, 'Oh my god, this is the most amazing space I've ever seen. It'd be so great to film something in here,' " she said.
In turn, she "incorporated some of the design elements from that place and put them on to stage, and created this kind of vast space for the vampires that shows power and scale and dynamics."
True Blood premieres season six June 16 on HBO. The fifth-season DVD set hits stores Tuesday.
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