Severance Filming Locations Revealed: Where Was the Show Filmed?

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Summary

  • Filming locations for Severance were carefully chosen to enhance the show’s eerie and unsettling tone.
  • Real-world settings, like the Lumon Industries building in New Jersey, contributed to the show’s chilling aesthetic.
  • Locations like Pip’s restaurant in Phoenicia Diner and birthing retreat in Mohonk Preserve are actual places, not sets.

The psychological thriller series “Severance” on Apple TV+ has mesmerized viewers with its eerie, sterile office settings and hauntingly beautiful exterior landscapes. The show’s unsettling ambiance is intricately linked to its visual style, where Lumon Industries’ headquarters appear both technologically advanced yet oppressively monotonous. Fans of “Severance” have pondered about the real-life locations of these striking sets, especially the corporate maze that forms the background for the series’ mind-bending plot. From sleek office designs to expansive snowy vistas, every filming location was carefully selected to heighten the show’s eerie tone and dreamlike narrative. However, one may wonder where exactly “Severance” was filmed, and how did these actual locations contribute to its chilling atmosphere?

As a movie enthusiast, I appreciate the unique approach taken by Severance when it comes to setting design. Unlike numerous contemporary productions that lean heavily on green screens and studios, this series brings Lumon Industries and its surroundings to vivid life using authentic locations. The exterior of the Lumon Industries building is so intricately woven into the narrative, it feels like a character in its own right. Moreover, the outdoor shots of the town where the characters reside offer an arresting contrast, subtly reflecting the mundane reality that underpins the show’s core themes. The blend of genuine locations and meticulously crafted sets in Severance significantly enhances the viewing experience by drawing us deeper into its eerie atmosphere.

Lumon Industries Exterior

It’s interesting to note that the initial establishment of the Lumon Industries building was essentially a fortunate mishap during the search process by those managing Severance, when they entered a query on the Google search engine. Later, Ben Stiller discussed how he and his team discovered the actual building that now serves as Lumon.

The massive exterior, which surprisingly takes on a life of its own in the Apple TV+ series, isn’t as frightening as it may appear. According to Stiller, during the first episode of the official Severance Podcast, the show’s cinematographer Jessica Lee Gangne discovered the building just by searching for office buildings online.

In the inaugural episode of the Severance Podcast, Stiller shared that the show’s cinematographer, Jessica Lee Gangne, discovered the building by just searching for office structures online.

Upon catching sight of the Bell Labs structure in Holmdel, New Jersey, she and her fellow production crew members instantly felt it was ideal for their project. Stiller further noted that the peculiar layout of the parking lot and the building’s colossal dimensions were just what they needed. Moreover, when the Severance team discovered that the outside of the building had never been utilized for filming purposes before, they realized they had uncovered their Lumon location.

Other Severance Season 1 Scenes

Similar to how the Lumon building has its unique character due to Mark Scout’s frequent visits, Pip’s restaurant has developed its own distinct persona. It appears that it’s the only bar and grill in the small town of Kier, giving it a charm all its own. Unlike the Bell Labs building from the show Severance, Pip’s is not a constructed set but rather a real location adapted for the series. Interestingly enough, the Phoenicia Diner located in the Catskills of New York serves as the backdrop for this fictional eatery.

Another intriguing sequence in Severance is the birthing sanctuary, where Devon and Ricken welcome their newborn child. This setting, with its unexpected twists and vivid visuals, is no less captivating than the grand lodges themselves. It might surprise you to know that these lodges are real structures, not film set creations. Remarkably, they are part of the Mohonk Preserve Testimonial Gateway, located in New Paltz, New York.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say, a significant chunk of this captivating series is shot in various parts of upstate New York. The homes of Mark and Mrs. Colvig are actual townhouses in Nyack, while Irving’s apartment is a genuine residence in Kingston. It seems the creators, including Stiller, found it more practical and authentic to incorporate real-world settings into Severance rather than constructing sets or relying on green screen. These smart choices have undeniably added an extra layer of authenticity to every location featured in the show.

Woe’s Hollow Is A Real State Park

In Episode 4 of the second season of Severance, one of the largest scenes unfolds. This is the first time the Innies have ever ventured outside Lumon without the Overtime Contingency. The setting is called “Woe’s Hollow,” where the MDR team braves the cold on a snowy Outdoor Retreat Team Building Occurrence (ORTBO). Filmed at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County, New York, Awosting Falls serves as the waterfall of Woe’s Hollow. This is the same waterfall Mr. Milchick boasted was the “tallest waterfall in the world.

The dream sequence for Irving’s scenes was captured at a location known as Sam’s Point, and they also shot portions in a snow-covered blueberry field within the state park. Given that this region is naturally rocky and it was filmed during winter, the area provided a desolate and barren appearance which perfectly suited the requirements of Severance.

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2025-02-11 17:25