The Last Of Us Episode 7 - Director Liza Johnson on Crafting the Perfect Post-Apocalyptic Teen Mall

Image Source: Instagram Creating A Post-Apocalyptic Paradise: The Epic Mall Build Of The Last Of Us Episode 7

[{"selector":"#anim-5d68ec67-c07d-4703-be53-24903e5f3022 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-292c673a-6ab0-42cd-b9aa-de9cc4fa55b4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a0182bf5-c3ca-4a82-8fec-cc0da58f6624","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 188.21549%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram In episode seven of "The Last of Us" Ellie and her friend Riley explore an abandoned mall for the first time.

[{"selector":"#anim-67ebf516-42c2-4562-999f-258fa1a598cf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-120e4332-fd1a-4332-a6bb-b7de121d78d4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c0e464b8-a4c0-4fc3-af7d-c6e7a030cb8b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The mall was accidentally connected to the Boston power grid, creating a technological wonderland that blows Ellie's mind.

[{"selector":"#anim-3897b185-cdf2-4e57-8be1-a41cdda4cefb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2bf09ff-569c-4820-9f11-5fc67ccd82ae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3b533a5e-0d8b-4b84-a466-a690df8e1c01","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Production designer John Paino reveals how the crew created a full slate of stores, ranging from Foot Locker to Victoria's Secret.

[{"selector":"#anim-3157ae46-5931-4a64-9736-391b14f1760f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-26fca5ad-2733-4d47-a6da-b1523623ae08","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-79cbd86f-4e5b-4bb4-a2bd-07b6d5e404b4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 186.70036%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Most of the stores exist in a state of destruction or decay, while others remain intact with less-necessary items.

[{"selector":"#anim-5b11565f-f5c3-4236-83ce-e9a9e8f656c0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d86073fd-0c8a-4881-8be1-8ae5b01a6edb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7c882c5f-be19-47dd-b43c-323097b9e2ec","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 183.91382%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The crew built approximately 40 stores from scratch, dressing them in 20 years of desiccation and rot.

[{"selector":"#anim-f11f3d1a-2801-4239-9926-ccfb917bcc87 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a81e89ee-db1e-4573-8fed-35c136f1d45b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f0522267-70ad-4bb4-9603-8e29379575b8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Paino reveals how they added a floor with VFX to make the mall seem larger than it actually was.

[{"selector":"#anim-149fa101-5c8d-418b-9a54-d9ecf1d219c0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a6f55cc-d611-4af6-b014-33d5dac69caa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a12756e5-f92b-442b-b5fd-c52cdba2abc0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The mall's arcade is a neon paradise filled with classic arcade cabinets, pinball machines, and star-patterned carpets.

[{"selector":"#anim-aa1d5a96-6d04-4ea9-b791-7c1f539385c9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2b87447-3343-4065-8892-ecad967263a1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-75ddb890-2859-460d-8bf0-754df8df9468","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Recreating the arcade presented specific and thrilling challenges for the production team.

[{"selector":"#anim-f308330c-70d6-41d3-9699-d019e56d7053 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2824060d-2ae9-4c89-8e97-7ed6d313a25a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-baffc17c-4b99-4e7f-9bc1-b41ba08a2c46","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The carousel, which was originally sold when the mall went out of business, was located and restored for the show.

[{"selector":"#anim-a96fe3f8-1282-4b27-a42e-3130463cb3de [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-351c4fe4-5d00-4ed5-86d1-670711e19bbc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e50d676a-e425-42c3-9a32-3f3808d77695","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Paino describes how the crew made the carousel look like crap again for the post-apocalyptic aesthetic.

[{"selector":"#anim-43af6cca-afac-45e3-9251-ae5f33ee8f5b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-64a26c89-9180-4b1d-bdab-d96dc1af53fa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cd4487ae-1ebb-4699-8dce-c338507688d1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Ellie and Riley's trip to the mall serves as a prequel to the main events of the show, offering insight into Ellie's character and motivations.

[{"selector":"#anim-24c3b876-2a19-4688-9263-a020a0b86af1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-05ffada4-fbf8-420f-9880-bf38920ffc77","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-35b7477c-47a7-4f14-8a72-e8b3b0a6ab1f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The episode is a beautifully faithful adaptation of the Left Behind chapter of Ellie's story.

[{"selector":"#anim-46d5f62a-6904-4353-9961-cef0b23b9a64 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8c3b541c-f4d1-49c0-abf4-37598be11a65","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1e6ef783-194a-45fd-87ea-3e9fd7dc5731","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram It is a necessary tale to be told, giving viewers a deeper understanding of the person Ellie is today.

[{"selector":"#anim-2a291b3f-4271-4735-b739-47c3aeb41609 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-442f547d-4bf9-412a-96e0-03f88b0ec771","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bff93dbb-2ebe-42d8-95c4-197befb4a2dd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The episode showcases Bella Ramsey's ability as a performer, delivering a story of young love that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

[{"selector":"#anim-f2729997-1dbd-43b6-b6cf-2a5ff4d88b79 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ebf2ec22-31f0-4868-bd6c-9b8c80d62188","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-482c6695-9302-4e70-8cdb-1dc63b723292","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The comparison between the show and the game highlights how close the adaptation is to the original material.

[{"selector":"#anim-0e16ccb6-19ac-4985-942c-97530ab714b2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b0eee761-4d1d-445a-90c3-12648b8c7c47","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-976f740e-0369-435b-90a2-3d53c43735e2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 186.70036%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The mall serves as a commentary on mass consumerism, with stores like lingerie, Starbucks, CVS, and Target not surviving the pandemic.

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