Ryan Murphy discussed his approach to adapting Bret Easton Ellis’s thriller novel “The Shards” for FX during the show’s New York premiere. The series was filmed entirely in Los Angeles despite the filmmaker acknowledging he could have reduced production costs by filming in Canada instead. Murphy stated that keeping production in the city was non-negotiable and that his production partners supported the decision to make the economics work locally.
Regarding the show’s content, Murphy addressed his approach to depicting sexual material. He explained that he was intentional about how intimacy was portrayed, focusing on romantic relationships and triangles rather than graphic depictions. He noted that “The Shards” centers on high school characters experiencing first relationships, first kisses, and first breakups, which he believes will resonate with younger viewers. Murphy drew comparisons to other successful projects, stating that audience investment in characters matters more than explicit content.
Murphy expressed concerns about the decline of film and television production in Los Angeles, describing the situation as a “travesty.” He indicated that Los Angeles production volume dropped 3.1% in the second quarter of 2026. The filmmaker suggested that local officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, could do more to support the industry. He emphasized that improved tax incentives from the state and city government are necessary to make filming in Los Angeles economically competitive with other locations.
Murphy stated he has spoken with Governor Gavin Newsom about enhancing California’s tax credit structure but has not yet engaged with Mayor Bass on the matter. He noted that the responsibility for bringing productions back to Los Angeles rests with both government officials and individual filmmakers willing to commit to the city. Murphy confirmed his next two projects will be filmed in Los Angeles, having made this a requirement regardless of financial implications.
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