Claire Dawson
Hospital-based movies and TV series are often filmed in real hospitals to add a degree of authenticity. For example, Scrubs was filmed in the North Hollywood Medical Centre, a fully operational hospital in Los Angeles, California. Grey's Anatomy uses Fisher Plaza in Seattle for scene-setting shots, while interior scenes are filmed at the VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Centre, North Hills, California. In some cases, hospitals have started their own film studios, such as Northwell Health, which has produced Netflix's Lenox Hill and The First Wave, and has five new productions underway. However, filming in hospitals raises ethical concerns, as in the case of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, which paid a $2.2 million penalty to federal regulators after filming patients without their consent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hospital series can be comedic and dramatic | Scrubs, Grey's Anatomy, ER, House |
| They may be based on real hospitals | Princeton's First Campus Centre, Seattle Grace Hospital, North Hollywood Medical Centre |
| They may be based on real events | The First Wave |
| They may be fictional | Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, St. Eligius |
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What You'll Learn
- Location scouting: Real hospitals are used for authentic exterior shots, with interiors built in studios
- Permission and privacy: Hospitals must give permission, and patient privacy must be protected
- Sets and replicas: Studios build detailed hospital sets, sometimes replicating real locations
- Authenticity: Some shows film in real hospitals for authenticity, but this is rare and often in unused areas
- Benefits for hospitals: Hospitals can benefit from advertising, improved staff morale, and educational opportunities
Location scouting: Real hospitals are used for authentic exterior shots, with interiors built in studios
When it comes to creating a movie series set in a hospital, location scouting is a crucial aspect of achieving authenticity. While it may seem ideal to use a real hospital for all filming, a combination of exterior shots at genuine hospitals and interiors built in studios is often the preferred approach. This blend of locations helps to capture the essence of a hospital while also providing the necessary space and control for filming.
For exterior shots, production teams often scout and select real hospitals that can serve as visually appealing and authentic backdrops. These exterior locations add a layer of realism to the series, as they are actual medical facilities with the architectural features and ambiance of a functioning hospital. However, using a working hospital for all filming can present challenges, including space constraints, privacy concerns, and disruptions to the hospital's regular operations.
As such, interiors are often recreated in studios. Building sets allows for greater control over lighting, sound, and space, which are essential considerations for filming. By constructing custom interiors, production designers can create spaces that are tailored to the specific needs of the series, ensuring that scenes can be filmed efficiently and effectively. This approach also helps to maintain the privacy and security of patients and staff in real hospitals.
For example, the popular series "Grey's Anatomy" utilizes a combination of real and studio locations. While the show is set in the fictional "Seattle Grace Hospital," exterior shots are captured at Fisher Plaza in Seattle, providing a sense of place and authenticity. Meanwhile, the interior scenes are filmed at the VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Centre in North Hills, California, where sets have been carefully crafted to resemble a functioning hospital.
Another example is the series "Scrubs," which was filmed in the North Hollywood Medical Centre, a fully operational hospital in Los Angeles, California. By filming in a real hospital, the production team was able to capture the authentic exterior environment, while also constructing interior sets that suited the specific requirements of the show. This blend of locations helped to create a believable and immersive experience for viewers.
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Permission and privacy: Hospitals must give permission, and patient privacy must be protected
Filming in a hospital requires careful consideration of permission and privacy protocols. While it may add a degree of authenticity to a movie series, filmmakers must navigate a complex web of approvals and ethical guidelines.
Firstly, permission from the hospital itself is essential. Most hospitals have their own rules and regulations regarding informed consent, and filmmakers must adhere to these policies. Typically, filmmakers should contact the hospital's Public Relations (PR) department to initiate discussions. The hospital may grant access to specific areas, such as empty rooms or unused wings, ensuring that filming does not disrupt hospital operations. In some cases, filmmakers might opt for alternative locations, such as university training facilities for medical students, which offer realistic hospital settings with fewer restrictions.
The consent of patients and hospital staff is of utmost importance. Under the standards set by The Joint Commission, an agency that regulates hospitals and patient care, informed consent is required for any filming or images captured of patients beyond what is necessary for identification, diagnosis, or treatment. Filmmakers must ensure they obtain explicit consent from patients and staff before including them in any footage. Verbal consent may be sufficient for filming, but written and provable consent is often necessary for broadcasting the material. In cases where patients are unconscious or medically incapacitated, filmmakers should seek permission from their next of kin and ensure medical staff approve of the filming.
To protect patient privacy, filmmakers should avoid capturing patient faces or personal details in the final edit unless explicit consent has been granted. This extends to waiting rooms, where individuals must be made aware of the filming and provide consent to be included in any shots. Filmmakers should also respect the boundaries of patients and hospital staff, refraining from interrupting their activities or compromising patient confidentiality.
Additionally, it is crucial to maintain open communication with the hospital and medical personnel throughout the filming process. This includes consulting with key medical staff before making decisions about filming patients and seeking their input on the editorial purpose and nature of the film. Filmmakers should also be transparent about the intended use of the footage and respect any requests from patients or staff who do not wish to be filmed.
In summary, creating a movie series in a hospital requires careful navigation of permission and privacy protocols. Filmmakers must obtain consent from the hospital, patients, and staff, ensuring that the filming does not disrupt operations or compromise patient confidentiality. By adhering to these guidelines, filmmakers can respectfully capture the authenticity of a hospital setting while upholding the rights and privacy of those involved.
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Sets and replicas: Studios build detailed hospital sets, sometimes replicating real locations
Creating a realistic hospital setting is crucial for the success of medical TV shows and films. While some productions opt to film in real hospitals, there are also studios that build detailed hospital sets, sometimes replicating real locations. This approach offers several advantages in terms of production value, creative control, and flexibility.
Building a hospital set from scratch allows for a high level of detail and customization. Production designers can create specific ward layouts, emergency rooms, operating theatres, and patient rooms, ensuring that the setting perfectly fits the narrative requirements of the story. This level of control is advantageous for filming as sets can be designed to accommodate camera movements, lighting setups, and other technical considerations.
One notable example of a replicated hospital set is the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital from the popular TV series "House". While exterior shots featured the real Princeton's First Campus Center in New Jersey, the intricate hospital interiors seen throughout the show were constructed on a soundstage at 20th Century Fox studios in Los Angeles. This blend of real and replicated locations is a common approach, enhancing the sense of authenticity while providing the necessary flexibility for filming.
Another well-known example is the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital from "Grey's Anatomy". The show utilizes Fisher Plaza in Seattle for exterior shots, while interior scenes are filmed at the VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Centre in North Hills, California, which is transformed into a detailed hospital set. This blend of locations adds to the authenticity of the show's medical setting.
In addition to fictional hospitals, some productions choose to replicate famous real-life medical facilities. This approach allows for a recognizable setting while providing the controlled environment that filming in a working hospital cannot offer. By building detailed replicas, productions can capture the essence of a specific hospital while tailoring the set to their specific needs and avoiding disruptions to the day-to-day operations of a real medical facility.
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Authenticity: Some shows film in real hospitals for authenticity, but this is rare and often in unused areas
To add a layer of authenticity to a movie series, production teams may opt to film in real hospitals, although this is quite rare. Typically, they will film in areas that are easy to control, such as parking lots, exteriors, or unused wings of the hospital. For example, Scrubs was filmed in the North Hollywood Medical Centre, a fully operational hospital in Los Angeles, California. Similarly, Grey's Anatomy used Fisher Plaza in Seattle for scene-setting shots, while interior scenes were filmed at the VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Centre in North Hills, California.
In some cases, production companies may collaborate with hospitals to gain access to their facilities. For instance, Northwell Health, a hospital system with 21 hospitals, has been featured in Netflix's "Lenox Hill" and "The First Wave". Following these successes, Northwell Studios was established to create more TV shows and films, with five new productions already in the works.
Filming in real hospitals can provide a unique perspective and add a degree of realism to a production. However, it is important to consider the potential disruption to the hospital's operations and the need to obtain proper consent from patients and staff. In 2016, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center faced a $2.2 million penalty for filming two patients without their consent for the documentary series "NY Med".
While filming in real hospitals can enhance authenticity, it is often more practical to build sets or use sound studios, as seen with productions like "House" and "Prison Break". These sets can be designed to match the specific needs of the production, allowing for greater control over the filming environment.
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Benefits for hospitals: Hospitals can benefit from advertising, improved staff morale, and educational opportunities
Hospitals can gain numerous advantages by allowing film and television productions to be made on their premises. One of the primary benefits is the advertising and publicity that comes from having a film or TV show set in a hospital. Northwell Health, for example, has seen success in this regard, with internal polling indicating that viewers who watched shows like "Lenox Hill" and "Emergency NYC" were more likely to recommend Northwell Health to others. This positive word-of-mouth can lead to increased brand awareness and a better reputation for the hospital.
Additionally, allowing film and TV productions can boost staff morale. Employees may feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in seeing their hospital featured on screen, and it can foster a sense of community within the organisation. Furthermore, it can provide an opportunity for staff to showcase their skills and expertise, as noted by Mr. Dowling, the CEO of Northwell Health, who mentioned that their shows advertised the skills of Northwell surgeons.
Another advantage is the educational aspect. Hospitals can provide a unique and insightful perspective into the day-to-day workings of healthcare facilities, which can be informative for viewers. Michael J. Dowling expressed this sentiment, stating that he felt "a real responsibility to provide educational material to the public about what goes on inside a health care facility." By showcasing the complexities and challenges faced by medical professionals, hospitals can contribute to a more informed public and potentially inspire future generations of healthcare workers.
Lastly, hospitals can benefit from the economic impact of film and TV productions. While Northwell Health stated that they had not received payments for the documentaries and shows aired, the productions can still bring economic activity to the area. Productions often require catering, accommodation, and other services, which can boost the local economy and positively impact the hospital's financial standing.
In conclusion, hospitals can gain significant advantages by allowing film and TV series to be made on their premises. These advantages include advertising and publicity, improved staff morale, educational opportunities, and potential economic benefits. By embracing the entertainment industry, hospitals can enhance their reputation, engage and motivate their staff, and provide valuable insights to the public.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospital series are typically filmed in abandoned hospitals, unused wings of hospitals, or in purpose-built sets. Some series may also be filmed in operational hospitals with permission from the hospital's administration.
Yes, the series "Green Wing" was filmed in an operational hospital. The series "Lenox Hill" was also filmed in a functioning hospital, with the hospital starting its own film studio following the show's success.
One challenge of filming in hospitals is ensuring patient privacy. In 2016, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital paid a $2.2 million penalty to federal regulators after television crews filmed two patients without their consent.
Some popular hospital series include "Grey's Anatomy", "Scrubs", "House", and "The Good Doctor".
Yes, hospitals can benefit from increased publicity and positive brand association. In the case of Northwell Health, internal polling indicated that viewers who had seen shows filmed in their hospitals were more likely to recommend Northwell Health to others.
