13 Iconic Fictional Offices On Screen
The office. It is where Jim and Pam fell in love, where Mulder dug for the truth and where Dumbledore taught Harry to defeat Voldemort. As an essential part of our daily lives, the workplace has been at the center of some of our favorite television series and films.
30 Rock
"30 Rock" is an office building and an award-winning TV show. The comedy shows what it is like to work behind the scenes at an American cable network, based on Tina Fey's time as the head writer of "Saturday Night Live." The show is anchored by what happens at the writer's table, Kenneth's page desk, and most of all, Jack Donaghy's meticulous office.
"30 Rock" was not the original title of the show. It was initially called "Rock Centre." Tina Fey wanted the show to be called "The Peacock," but NBC did not want the show to mock the network’s logo, though it did end up mocking just about everything else.
Mulder's Office - The X-Files
Tucked away in a basement in the FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover building, Fox Mulder busily sorts through the X-Files beneath a poster of a UFO that reads “I Want To Believe.” The show, along with the poster, have become legend. The truth is out there.
Dunder Mifflin - The Office
"The Office" may be the most famous office in television history, from Pam’s reception desk to Michael’s office or the annex. Serious fans of the show could draw the floor plan from memory. No other show has captured the idiosyncrasies and ironies of the modern workplace like "The Office."
The Firehouse - Ghostbusters
Since its release, the Ghostbusters headquarters has become a film icon, even being turned into a best-selling Lego set. Since response time is key, a firehouse is the perfect place to operate a paranormal removal business. The actual firehouse is FDNY’s Firehouse, Hook & Ladder Company 8 at 14 North Moore St. in Tribeca. Chevy Chase, Eddie Murphy, John Candy and Michael Keaton all turned down roles in the film.
Sterling Cooper - Mad Men
At times the offices of Sterling Cooper in AMC’s "Mad Men" blur the line between bar and workplace. Through the style, cigarette smoke and shocking social norms of a bygone era emerges a truly fascinating office that was nominated for 64 Primetime Emmys.
The Headmaster's Office - Harry Potter
In the headmaster's office at Hogwarts hangs a magical talking portrait of every previous headmaster. Working under the watchful eye of everyone who has previously held the position sounds like a recipe for madness. Make sure to stop by when you visit Hogwarts (if you do not get your letter).
The Batcave
When The Dark Knight is not fighting crime, he is the figurehead of the multibillion-dollar corporate conglomerate Wayne Enterprises. Hidden away below the sprawling estate of Wayne Manor, the Batcave is the ultimate home office. Originally just an office where Batman could work in secret, the writers have since expanded it to epic proportions as storage for Batman’s equipment. Its key feature is the security system, which includes a stockpile of kryptonite in case the Man of Steel shows up to teach Batman a lesson again.
The Hacker Hostel - Silicon Valley
Erlich Bachman’s living room-turned-tech incubator is a wellspring of innovative tech ideas. If only they could get one of the ideas off the ground, they might be able to move into a real office like Hooli’s. What is rent like in the Bay Area like these days? Ten percent of your startup.
Stratton Oakmont - The Wolf Of Wall Street
Who can forget the office full of amped-up young financiers ready to pump and dump scam stocks on unsuspecting victims in Martin Scorsese’s "The Wolf Of Wall Street"? As Leonardo DiCaprio throws his Rolex to a hoard of hungry brokers occupying rows of trading desks below a stream of financial numbers, the true nature of a high-velocity trading floor sets in. The F-word is said 569 times in the film's 179 minutes, a record.
Pawnee Parks Department - Parks And Recreation
Ron Swanson’s hands-off approach to government work makes him the perfect boss. Of course, having someone on your team with Leslie Knope’s binder-making ability helps. Wood accents and 19th-century American art drive home the show's civic virtues. The City Hall shown on camera that houses the Parks Department is actually in Pasadena, California.
The West Wing
"The West Wing," "VEEP," "House Of Cards" — countless shows and movies have each had their own take on the most powerful office in the land. Each iteration shows how demanding the office is, leaving us wondering how many deals are really being done while walking down a corridor.
Initech - Office Space
Though it was not an initial success, "Office Space" has developed into a cult classic. Anyone who has been shelved away in a cubicle will feel the soul-crushing monotony of working at Initech. During the 2016 presidential election, Ted Cruz spoofed a scene from the film in a political advertisement to mock Hillary Clinton over her wiped personal email server. The ad mimics the scene where the office workers destroy their malfunctioning printer.
The Apartment
This Oscar-winning film explores what one man will do to climb the corporate ladder as he allows senior management at his company to use his apartment for extramarital affairs. Art director Alexandre Trauner used forced perspective to create the set of a large insurance company office. The set appeared to be a very long room full of desks and workers; however, successively smaller people and desks were placed to the back of the room, ending up with children. The result is an office that looks like it goes on forever. The film is funny, melancholy and sentimental as Jack Lemmon finds his way to the top floor, only to realize he was better off downstairs.
