The EssentialShowbiz Dictionary™

of Entertainment Industry Terms

Backlot

1 minute read | Last updated: 5 months ago

What does Backlot mean?

Backlot refers to the outdoor area of a film studio where large-scale exterior sets are constructed for movie and television production. These sets can mimic various locations, such as city streets, towns, or natural landscapes, without the need to film on location. Backlots provide filmmakers with a controlled environment, making it easier to manage variables like weather, lighting, and noise during production. Major Hollywood studios have extensive backlots that have been used for countless famous movies and TV shows.

Example:A historical drama is filmed on a backlot designed to look like a 19th-century European village, eliminating the need to travel for on-location shooting.
Example: A popular TV show films its city scenes on a studio backlot, with streets and building facades that can be easily modified to fit different episodes.

Did you know?
Some iconic backlots, like those at Universal Studios, have been used for decades and are continuously revamped to match new productions!

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