“Archive 81” stars Mamoudou Athie as contemporary archivist Dan Turner, who’s been hired to restore videotapes recovered from a 1994 fire apartment fire. As he becomes fascinated with the videographer who shot them, Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi), their discoveries about the mysterious Visser Apartments unfold in tandem while he plays back her tapes.
To create the Visser, the art department, led by production designer Toni Barton, transformed a building in Pittsburgh into a 1930s New York edifice with occult symbols and a dark history.
The crew also crafted the statue of Kaelego – the fictitious demon god from another world that the Visser cult worships – and had fun posing with the statue and FX mockups of Kaelego as he attempts to enter our world.
“Archive 81” has not yet been renewed for a second season by Netflix (although the showrunner has high hopes), but enjoy these behind-the-scenes photos in the meantime.
Kaelego cabinet, drafting by assistant art director Hugh Landwehr
The crew poses with the VFX department’s Kaelego mock-up: From left to right: Brandon Plonka, hardware coordinator; Antonio Ferron, art department assistant; Marc Wheeler, assistant art director; Toni Barton, production designer; Corey Sweazen and CJ Simpson, art directors; and Martin Lasowitz, property master.
Director Becca Thomas, DP Bobby Bukowski and Toni Barton, production designer, in the “Otherworld,” where Dan tries to find Melody.
Exterior Visser Apartment building sigil stone design by graphic designer Brad Towell
Art director Gary Kosko determining the height of the sigil during the Visser Apartments installation
Screenshot of Visser location before build
Episode 101 production still of Melody approaching the Visser Apartment building
Welcome to the Visser apartments. Enter at your own peril.
