Behind the Scenes of the Entertainment 720 Party Episode – How It Came to Life

In the world of television, there are few shows that have captured the imagination and attention of viewers quite like Parks and Recreation. The comedy series followed the exploits of the Parks and Recreation department of the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, and its eccentric employees. One of the most memorable episodes from the show was the Entertainment 720 Party, which was a satirical take on the excesses of the entertainment industry. In this article, we’ll take a peek behind the scenes of the entertainment 720 party episode and explore how it came to life.

The genesis of the Entertainment 720 party episode can be traced back to the minds of the show’s creators and writers: Greg Daniels and Michael Schur. Inspired by real-life Hollywood parties that were known for their flamboyance and excess, the duo wanted to lampoon the idea of throwing a ‘blowout’ party. The episode, which aired in season 4, was centered around the failed events company, Entertainment 720, which was run by Tom Haverford (played by Aziz Ansari) and his friend Jean-Ralphio Saperstein (played by Ben Schwartz).

One of the most challenging aspects of the episode was creating a set that could emulate the lavish and opulent theme of the party. The set designers and art directors were tasked with creating a space that could accommodate the extravagant decorations, lighting, and props. They opted for a warehouse space that was transformed into a disco-themed playground. The crew and cast spent several days preparing the set, which included a dance floor, a water fountain, a champagne fountain, and a DJ booth.

The next challenge was casting actors as party guests. The casting directors had to find performers who resembled the typical Hollywood party-goers: glamorous, ostentatious, and sometimes absurd. The casting team opted for non-speaking extras for most of the guests to keep the focus on the main characters and the party’s energy. Despite having only a few actors with lines, the casting team still managed to find some noteworthy actors to fill the party scene, including comedian Amy Poehler’s mother Eileen, with cameos from notable personalities such as DJ Pauly D, and Dan Castellaneta of The Simpsons.

When it came to filming the scene, the director, Dean Holland, and his team had to find ways to capture the grandeur of the party while keeping the audience engaged. They accomplished this by using different camera angles, wide shots, and close-ups to create a sense of depth and drama. Holland also encouraged the cast to improvise their lines and their interactions with the party guests.

The result was a well-choreographed masterpiece that captured the absurdity of throwing a lavish party, which many entertainment companies often do. The episode went on to become a fan favorite and has been described as one of the best episodes in the show’s history.

In conclusion, the Entertainment 720 Party episode of Parks and Recreation was a testament to the creativity and skill of the show’s creators, writers, producers, cast and crew. The episode was a perfect satire of the entertainment industry’s excesses while still being entertaining and hilarious to viewers. The set designers, casting directors, and production team rose to the challenge and created a one-of-a-kind party scene that transported viewers into the world of Entertainment 720. The episode will remain a classic reminder of the brilliance of the show and its creators for years to come.