Ghost Whisperer is based on the work of "Spirit Communicator"
James Van Praagh, who is co-
executive producer and regularly updates a
blog about the show through LivingTV. The stories are also said to be based in part on the work of "Spirit Communicator"
Mary Ann Winkowski. Development of the show dates back to at least two years before its premiere. The show was produced by Sander/Moses Productions in association with
CBS Television Studios (originally
Paramount Network Television in season one and
ABC Studios (originally Touchstone Television in the first two seasons) and
CBS Paramount Network Television in seasons two and three). The show was filmed on the
Universal Studios back lot in Los Angeles. One area on the lot is
Courthouse Square from the
Back to the Future trilogy, though it has been drastically modified to depict Grandview. For example, the
clock tower in
Back to the Future has been completely covered up. Cast and crew members believe that the set gets visits from real spirits. Sound effects were completed at Smart Post Sound. Visual effects for the pilot and some season one episodes were completed at Flash Film Works. Visual effects for nearly the entire series were created at Eden FX. Creator
John Gray grew up in
Brooklyn, New York, which is not far from Grandview-On-Hudson, west of the
Hudson River. Piermont is often referenced in episodes as the neighboring town, which is accurate to real life as Grandview-On-Hudson is actually located just north of Piermont. Professor Rick Payne worked in the fictional "Rockland University," and perhaps not coincidentally, the actual
Grandview, New York is a village located in
Rockland County, New York. == Cast ==