Behind the Scenes of Discovering Laura Palmer’s Body in Twin Peaks

The thing I love about writing for Twin Peaks Blog is that I continue to discover things I’ve never noticed before. This time, I’m examining an iconic scene from the Pilot episode thanks to a short behind-the-scenes video I found on YouTube.

BEHIND THE SCENE OF DISCOVERING LAURA PALMER’S BODY

At any given moment, I have a variety of stories in the works. While researching some topic, I stumbled upon this video published on December 22, 2013:

It’s short, only 23-seconds to be exact, yet it contains a fascinating look at how the crew shot part of this scene.

The easiest way to explain what I discovered is to explore this scene in detail.

Laura's body wrapped in plastic
Pilot

“She’s dead, wrapped in plastic.”

Pete Martell’s words to Sheriff Harry Truman still echo on the shores of Blue Pine Lodge more than 26 years later. The discovery of Laura’s body sends Truman, Deputy Andy Brennan and Doc Hayward to the Lodge confirm the identity of this mysterious woman.

Truman, Hayward, Brennan and Martell
Pilot

We’ll pick up the action right as Deputy Brennan takes his first photograph of the wrapped body.

Andy taking photos
Pilot

Deputy Andy takes a photo then moves around the body for a different angle. Notice how he is stepping near the top of the body.

Andy taking photos
Pilot

Suddenly, the scene cuts to Andy near the middle of her body.

Andy crying
Pilot

After taking a few more photos, he begins to cry.  Notice how the giant log isn’t seen in the corner of these images.

Truman and Hayward
Pilot

Truman and Hayward take notice of Andy’s emotional breakdown.

Hayward and Brennan
Pilot

Doc Hayward attempts to comfort Andy by placing his hand on his back. Notice the log still isn’t in the photo.

Shooting on the beach
Behind the Scenes of the Pilot Episode

After watching the behind-the-scenes video, I realized that the crew must have filmed part of the scene further down the beach from the giant log. It would account for why the log isn’t in the shots. Look carefully and you’ll see that Deputy Andy is standing with the crew while Truman and Hayward are in front of the camera.

Google Earth
Google Earth

There is a pier near the Kiana Lodge but it is further down the beach from the giant log. That pier is seen in the background of the behind-the-scenes shot.

The scene continues…

Hayward takes the camera
Pilot
Andy stands up
Pilot

Doc Hayward takes the camera from and upset Andy, and places his hand on Andy’s back as he stands. The camera is in Hayward’s right hand.

Truman, Hayward and Andy
Pilot

The scene cuts to a different angle with Doc Hayward turning away while holding onto the camera with both hands.

Andy and Truman
Pilot

Realizing that Deputy Andy is an emotional wreck, Truman sends him to get a stretcher.

Sheriff Truman
Pilot

The camera then hangs on Truman for a beat as Andy leaves.

Doctor Hayward
Pilot
Doctor Hayward
Pilot

The camera then cuts to Doctor Hayward looking down at the body. I always wondered why this shot was looking slightly upward.

Behind the scenes video from the Pilot Episode
Behind the scenes video from the Pilot Episode

The behind-the-scenes video shows how this could have been achieved. It even looks like Doctor Hayward is getting ready to kneel down.

Sheriff Truman
Pilot

Sheriff Truman watches as Doctor Hayward begins to kneel.

Behind the scenes video from the Pilot Episode
Behind the scenes video from the Pilot Episode

The behind-the-scenes video shows both of them starting to kneel.

Truman and Hayward
Pilot

Magically, we are back by the giant log. It can been barely be seen in the corner.

Truman and Hayward
Pilot

A better look at the log and what could be Andy’s camera strap are seen just before they roll the body over.

Truman and Hayward
Pilot

After rolling the body, Doc Hayward goes to remove the plastic from the girl’s face. Look carefully at his right forearm. Not a lot of hair.

Hayward opening the plastic
Pilot

Hairy arm! Either the camera angle from the previous shot didn’t show exactly how hairy Hayward’s forearm was, or it’s a different person that is opening up the plastic.

Laura Palmer
Pilot

“Good Lord, Laura.”

Truman and Hayward
Pilot

“Laura Palmer” …. and Doc Hayward’s hairless arm.

 

Author

  • Steven Miller at Twede's Cafe enjoying cherry pie and coffee

    A "Twin Peaks" fan since October 1993, Steven Miller launched Twin Peaks Blog in February 2018 to document his decades-long fascination with David Lynch and Mark Frost's wonderful and strange show. With his Canon camera in hand, he's visited numerous film locations, attended Twin Peaks events and conducted extensive historical research about this groundbreaking series. Along with fellow Bookhouse Boys, he dreams of creating a complete Twin Peaks Archive of the series and feature film. Steven currently resides in Central Florida.

    View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Top