Dilapidation

Sarah Croft, who's a location manager for the photo shoots, says that Crewdson is drawn to places whose beauty is their age, their scars and dilapidation (ruin), places that imply their past but don't exclaim the history.

Her work starts 4-6 weeks before the actual photo-shoot. She does initial scouting with Gregory Crewdson and then compiles a list of requests to be discussed with local authorities, such as mayor's office, police and fire department, electric company and department of public work. Then with two assistants she talks to literally everybody at the location, discussing issues like where to place lifts, put lights in peoples houses and businesses, as well as relocating cars for the photo shoot.

As it involves cooperation with various different people, it can get intense sometimes, she says. She is the connection between the art world and the reality, explaining to the local residents why Crewdson wants to photograph a neighbour driven by or why he wouldn't shoot his photos in a more pretty part of town. Tracking down and working with residents, property and business owners brings her close to their lives. Like a detective you find out things, some good, some bad, some incriminating. It seems like reliving the photos from Gregory Crewdson's imagination to some extent.

If you want to read more about producing Crewdson's photo shoot, have a look at Aperture website dedicated to him.