Watch American Horror Story: Asylum: Cast and Creators Live at PALEYFEST

American Horror Story: Asylum, created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, is the second season of the popular horror anthology series. The season is set in the 1960s and takes place in an insane asylum called Briarcliff Manor. The show's cast and creators gathered together for a live panel discussion at PaleyFest to discuss the making of the show and the challenges they faced while filming.

The panel was moderated by Tim Stack, a senior writer for Entertainment Weekly, and included Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and several members of the cast including Jessica Lange, Lily Rabe, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and James Cromwell. The panelists discussed various aspects of the show including the set design, makeup, costumes, and themes.

One of the main themes of American Horror Story: Asylum is madness and sanity. The panelists talked about the research that went into creating the show's realistic portrayal of the treatment of mental illness during the 1960s. They visited abandoned asylums and spoke to former patients to gain a better understanding of what life was like in such institutions.

Jessica Lange, who plays Sister Jude, the head nun at Briarcliff, discussed how her character's arc throughout the season was challenging to portray. She explained that the character goes through many different phases and emotions, from extreme control to complete breakdown. Lange also talked about the difficulties of filming some of the show's more intense scenes, and how she had to take time to decompress after filming.

Lily Rabe, who plays Sister Mary Eunice, talked about the challenges of portraying a character who goes through a dramatic transformation. Her character starts out as innocent and naive, but eventually becomes possessed by a demonic force. Rabe discussed how she had to find the balance between the two different versions of her character and how she had to physically transform her body to portray the possessed version of Sister Mary Eunice.

The panel also discussed the addition of new cast members to the show, including James Cromwell, who plays Dr. Arden, and Chloë Sevigny, who plays Shelley. Cromwell discussed how he worked with the show's writers to create a backstory for his character that would explain his disturbing actions. Sevigny talked about the challenges of filming scenes where her character undergoes a physical transformation, and how she relied on the makeup and special effects teams to bring her character to life.

The set design and costumes of American Horror Story: Asylum also received a lot of attention during the panel discussion. The panelists talked about the incredible attention to detail that went into creating the look and feel of the asylum, from the vintage medical equipment to the authentic uniforms worn by the staff. The makeup and special effects teams also received praise for their work, particularly for creating the look of the possessed Sister Mary Eunice.

Overall, the panel discussion was a fascinating look behind the scenes of one of the most popular horror shows on television. The cast and creators of American Horror Story: Asylum shared their insights and experiences with a captivated audience, and provided a deeper understanding of the show's themes and symbolism.

American Horror Story: Asylum: Cast and Creators Live at PALEYFEST is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour.