Hollywood Backlot - ‘The Strain’

Eph Corey Stoll) explains to his son Zach (Ben Hyland) that his mother is missing, in a scene from “The Strain.”   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

On the set of “The Strain.”   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Camera operator J.P. Locherer, center, does an equipment check before taping.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Dutch (Ruta Gedmintas) and Fet (Kevin Durand) are held by gun point during filming of a scene.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

During a break, camera assistant John Hickey measures the distance from the camera to actor Roger Cross, who plays Mr. Fitzwilliams.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Roger Cross is seen through the maze of equipment and people during taping.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Actors Roger Cross, Ruta Gedmintas and Kevin Durand during a break.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Establishing shot for the pawnshop in “The Strain.”   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Producer J. Miles Dale and second unit first assistant director Joanna Moore on the set.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Miguel Gomez arrives on the set.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Allison Mandesir checks Jeffrey R. Smith’s face makeup while Lantha Goldberg, right, applies blood his hand makeup.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Jeffrey R. Smith plays Dr. Bennett, who has turned into a vampire.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Miguel Gomez, left, and Jeffrey R. Smith check with producer J. Miles Dale, right, about an upcoming fight scene.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Jeffrey R. Smith plays vampire Dr. Bennett.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Flex (Pedro Miguel Arce), left, and Augustine (Miguel Gomez) enter an alleyway during filming.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Vampire Dr. Bennett (Jeffrey R. Smith) creeps up on two unsuspecting actresses while waiting for filming to begin.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Pedro Miguel Arce, left, and Miguel Gomez are attacked by Jeffrey R. Smith’s vampire Dr. Bennett.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Miguel Gomez, left, and Jeffrey R. Smith rehearse an attack scene as producer J. Miles Dale watches.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Miguel Gomez has been tossed to the ground by Jeffrey R. Smith’s vampire Dr. Bennett.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Jeffrey R. Smith and producer J. Miles Dale.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Pedro Miguel Arce, left, and Jeffrey R. Smith. Miguel Gomez lies in the background.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

The crew prepares a dummy version of vampire Dr. Bennett, as actor Jeffrey R. Smith stands near it.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Vampire Dr. Bennett (Jeffrey R. Smith) gives his fake doppelganger a lick of approval.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Jeffrey R. Smith, left, and Miguel Gomez rehearse a scene.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Miguel Gomez rehearses a scene.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Miguel Gomez practices an attack.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Miguel Gomez and Jeffrey R. Smith.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Miguel Gomez, left, checks on Pedro Miguel Arce, who has been bitten by vampire Dr. Bennett.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Doppelganger vampire Dr. Bennett rests in pieces after filming.   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Corey Stoll stars in “The Strain.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Miguel Gomez stars in “The Strain.”   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Ben Hyland stars in “The Strain.”   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Kevin Durand stars in “The Strain.”   (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)