I recently discussed how the Twin Peaks crew used Eat at Rudy’s which was Eat at Judy’s in Part 18 to capture scenes used in Part 2 at the cheap Buckhorn Motel. This wasn’t the first time where one location doubled as two different sets. In episode 2.013, there is a brief scene with Major Briggs (Don Davis) sitting on a stone throne in the woods. Long-time fan Josh Eisenstadt once told me Davis said this scene was shot at Evelyn Marsh’s mansion in Encino, California. Today, I’m happy to confirm that location thanks to some important production paperwork I found in late 2020.
WHERE IS THE LOCATION OF MAJOR BRIGGS SITTING IN THE WOODS?
The exterior scenes of Marsh Mansion from Twin Peaks episodes 2.011 to 2.015 were filmed at a private residence located at 4825 Louise Avenue in Encino, California. This home has been used in other productions such as Beverly Hills, 90210.
While researching details about Dr. Hayward’s Polaroid Impulse camera, I came across a folder on my storage drive labeled “Shooting Schedule.” Inside were three images of the Oneline Schedule from episode 2.013 which I saved 0n December 21, 2020. The images were originally created on March 11, 2015. Sadly, I didn’t save details about where I found them but I assume it was during one my my many deep excursions into the internet. Thank you to whomever shared the document as it confirmed a key part of this article.
The Oneline schedule was published on Friday, Nov. 9, 1990 and details the various scenes that would be shot during production. The entire cast and crew were idle from Thursday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 25 due to Thanksgiving. “Shoot Day #8” was held on Monday, Nov. 26 and included four scenes.
The first was an establishing shot of the Dorritt Home For Boys sign. The second and third were scenes with James Hurley and Evelyn Marsh inside her garage. The last scene – Scs. 1A – was listed as “EXT WOODS | MAJOR BRIGGS SITTING IN THE WOODS”
Let’s examine the scene to see where Briggs’ stone throne could have been placed.
MAJOR BRIGGS SITTING IN THE WOODS
Episode 2.013 was written by Harley Peyton on October 18, 1990 with a second draft distributed to department heads on October 31. The rest of the crew and cast received the script on blue pages on November 7.
Following the opening credits, a starfield slowly crosses the screen from left to right before a three triangle image flies toward camera from the center of the screen. None of this action appears in the script.
This yellow symbol is reminiscent of the Fallout Shelter logo created by Robert Blakeley during President Kennedy’s administration.
Yet the symbol appears in a different configuration on Major Briggs’ neck. It reminds me of a stylized owl, where the bottom triangle is the body and the top two triangles on the wings. This notion is reinforced by a negative image of an owl that Briggs’ recalls during this dream recollection.
After the three triangle symbol fills the screen, the action cuts to flames from an intense fire. This action is also not in Peyton’s script which only lists “ACT ONE. FADE IN”
Through the fire, an image of Major Briggs sitting on a stone throne surrounded by foliage appears. The script mentions he is sitting in an armchair.
1A. EXT. WOODS – DAY
MAJOR BRIGGS sits in an armchair in the middle of a fog forest clearing. It’s an odd image. As if it occurred inside his mind. Briggs’ moods shifts with great alacrity, alternating between inchoate rambling and coherence, as if someone had popped his mental cork.
The camera slowly moves toward Briggs as he recalls his experience to Dale Cooper, Dr. Hayward and Sheriff Truman.
BRIGGS
I … I remember stepping from the flames, a vague shape in the dark … then nothing. Until I found myself standing
by the cold remains of our campfire. Two days later.
VOICES enter the Major’s dreamscape. Dr. Hayward and Agent Cooper.
HAYWARD’S VOICE
Major, there are some new therapeutic techniques that might help us to break through your amnesia.
BRIGGS
My memories are immune to regression. I can feel them, they are palpable. The smell and sensations… everything is known to me. Yet somehow beyond my reach.
COOPER’S VOICE
Do you remember anything else?
BRIGGS
Very little. Save for one disturbing image. A giant owl. Pervasive.
COOPER’S VOICE
A giant owl. How big?
So where was the stone throne placed at the Marsh mansion?
Unfortunately, I haven’t found any behind-the-scenes production images from this scene. While watching this episode the other day, I spotted this point-of-view shot from James Hurley watching Evelyn and Jeffrey Marsh from the Jaguar parked in the garage. The trees above Jeffrey could be similar to the trees seen above Briggs’ stone throne.
The crew could have set up the throne before the small brick wall and surrounded it with foliage. This spot would have offered enough room the set up a dolly track that allowed for the slow movement toward Briggs. Additionally, there is a red key light to the right side of Briggs which could have been added behind the wall and below the trees.
The trees to the right as seen when Mr. Marsh drives away in his Jaguar don’t appear to match as well.
The trees near the garage also don’t seem to match either.
Finally, the trees near the home are probably also not a match. Perhaps one day I will find a production image to confirm my suspicions.
A GIANT OWL
When Cooper mentions the giant, a negative image of one fills the screen. Peyton’s script describes the action.
SUDDENLY: a flash of blinding LIGHT, the image of a screeching OWL flying fast and low, and a second FLASH leading us to…
I reversed the shot to reveal this full color image of the owl.
The same owl footage will reappear in episode 2.019. The owl was provided by Steve Martin’s Working Wildlife (not the comedian) for this episode. On October 26, 1990, director Todd Holland with a camera operator named “Sparks” filmed several takes of the owl flying and sitting in front of a blue screen.
Another bright flash and we see Major Briggs’ neck tattoo and the scene cuts to the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department’s conference room on the set constructed at City Studios (now Occidental Studios) in Van Nuys, California.
