 The Florida orphanage was filmed at the abandoned Troy House in Monmouthshire . To add the effect that a storm is outside the building , the production crew placed rain machines outdoors and flashing lights to simulate lightning . The Silence were portrayed by Marnix van den Broeke and other performers . The masks caused vision difficulties for the performers , who had to be guided by two people when they had to walk . Van den Broeke did not provide the voices of the Silence , as it was replaced during post @-@ production . The control room set used from " The Lodger " was used again for this episode . Moffat wanted the set to be used again , feeling it would be a suitable Silence base . The set was adapted to give it a darker , evil feel . 
