Brad Turner discusses how, after the decision was made to set the eighth season in New York City, it was deemed too difficult to extensively film on location, mainly for budgetary reasons but also because, unlike Los Angeles, the seasonal changes in New York would make it impossible to keep a consistent appearance throughout filming. The solution arose when the producers found Stargate Studios, a visual effects company specializing in the "Virtual Backlot" tool that allows scenes to be superimposed upon realistic backdrops via green screens and set extensions. Howard Gordon says that, despite wanting to shoot in New York, the financial realities at the time ruled out that option; nonetheless, the final product truly impressed him.