Gossip Girl may be the most high profile show shooting in Manhattan, but it's making mistakes. In order to help Josh Schwartz successfully navigate Serena and Blair through the city, Gossip Gaffes will present the each episode's biggest New York no-no and advise how to correct it. You know you love me.
The latest episode sees Blair through the up of being chosen as the model for her mother's clothing line and the down of finding out that her mother (following the advice of everyone) changes her mind and chooses Blair's frenemy Serena. As the line is about to debut at Henri Bendel, Ms. Waldorf places the success of the photo shoot over the fragile heart of her daughter. Ignore the fact that Waldorf's fashion line looks frightfully fragmented (too many looks, colors and cuts for a cohesive in-store boutique at Bendel's for sure). And ignore the fact that hiring an inexperienced model is cost prohibitive as you will end up wasting roll upon roll on poorly executed poses. Mother Waldorf commits the biggest gaffe in her choice of shoot locations.
Silvercup Studios is a gem. A longtime resident of Long Island City, the studio has stuck it out as the neighborhood has been given the blemishes of multiple strip clubs, prostitution and the famous Rikers Island bus. But it is becoming a bit overly recognized as a setting. Tony Soprano sat under the view of the Queensboro Bridge. As did Carrie and her minions. More recently Tina Fey is seen in an office inside the studio in an American Express commercial. That Gossip Girl, which is shooting interiors at Silvercup would use the roof as a shoot location is as unsurprising as it is lazy.
The problem isn't the general overuse of the location with it's clear views of the Midtown skyline. It's the use of this setting for a photo shoot that is supposed to represent a high-fashion campaign. What was once a special view of the city has become generic from too-frequent visits from film and camera crews. The focus on the clothing would be taken away by the "Hey, isn't that ..." effect.
Several other local opportunities would be available for a more ambitious location scout. (I'm looking at you Heather Gauntt!) Just a few blocks away is PS1 or the Graffiti Museum or the the largest fortune cookie factory in the United States. All of which would have provided a more high-fashion setting appropriate to Henri Bendel as opposed to the Macy's One Day Sale catalog scene provided.
It's the little details that count Gossip Girl so keep your eyes out for these fantastic city nuances. Because we're worth it.
