If you’re a fan of Parks and Recreation, you may have wondered if the characters actually went to London during Season 7. The answer is yes, they did!
But how did the show manage to film in London while still keeping the production based in the United States? Let’s take a closer look.
The Plot of the London Episode
In Season 7, Episode 1 of Parks and Recreation titled “2017,” we see the main characters five years into the future. Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) is now working for the National Parks Service in Chicago, while her husband Ben Wyatt (played by Adam Scott) is working on a congressional campaign in Washington D.C.
At one point in the episode, Leslie travels to London to receive an award for her work with the National Parks Service. She brings along some of her old coworkers from the Parks Department, including Ron Swanson (played by Nick Offerman), Tom Haverford (played by Aziz Ansari), and Andy Dwyer (played by Chris Pratt).
While in London, they visit various tourist attractions such as Buckingham Palace and Stonehenge. They also attend a fancy dinner where Leslie receives her award.
How Did They Film in London?
So how did Parks and Recreation manage to film scenes set in London while still keeping production based in Los Angeles? The answer lies in clever editing and green screens.
According to an interview with executive producer Michael Schur, all of the scenes set in London were actually filmed on a set in Los Angeles. The actors wore costumes that were designed to look like winter clothes, despite filming during a hot California summer.
To create convincing backgrounds for their scenes, green screens were used. This allowed them to later add footage of actual tourist spots like Buckingham Palace and Stonehenge into their shots during post-production.
The Importance of the London Episode
While the London episode may seem like a fun and silly addition to the final season of Parks and Recreation, it actually serves an important purpose. It shows how much the characters have grown and changed over the years.
Leslie’s award in London is a testament to her hard work and dedication to public service. It also shows that she has moved on from her old job in Pawnee, Indiana and is now making a difference on a larger scale.
The episode also gives us a glimpse into the future of some of our favorite characters. We see that Tom has become a successful author and businessman, while Ron has left government work behind to run his own business.
Conclusion
So there you have it – Parks and Recreation did actually film scenes set in London during Season 7. While it may have seemed like an impossible feat, clever editing and green screens made it possible.
The London episode also serves as an important piece of character development for the show’s main cast. It shows how far they’ve come over the years and gives us a glimpse into their future paths.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just someone who loves travel-themed TV episodes, the Parks and Recreation trip to London is definitely worth watching.