Murphy's Vision: Artistry Behind 'All's Fair'

Ryan Murphy's signature attention to detail was paramount on his new Hulu series, "All's Fair," as revealed by the show's creative team. Production designer Cat Smith described Murphy as an artist, knowing precisely what he wanted visually. Inspiration for the show's aesthetic, including its architecturally interesting spaces, came from Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt, a minimalist whose work also influenced properties for Murphy and Kim Kardashian.

The collaboration between Smith and director of photography Blake McClure was crucial, with both drawing from Vervoordt and other references provided by Murphy. They incorporated lighting adjustments and structural changes to optimize shooting. Costume designer Paula Bradley received specific color palette directives from Murphy for each character, aiming to avoid black in early episodes and managing a high volume of costume changes, sometimes up to fifteen per episode.

Music supervisor Amanda Krieg Thomas observed Murphy's overarching theme of "iconic women" guiding the soundtrack. Unlike some of Murphy's period pieces, "All's Fair" is set in the present day, allowing for a dynamic music selection. A notable example is a sequence that transitions from Dionne Warwick's "Walk on By" to Doja Cat's "Paint the Town Red," showcasing Murphy's vision for connecting new and old music.