Volume 3 Number 03
Copyright 2007 Phillip Moon
Show: In Case of Emergency
Date: December 8, 2006
Episode: The Picture
Location: Sony Studios
Here is an episode where life is imitating art, which is imitating life. Today, on Sony's lot, an entire T.V. crew is filming a make believe Hollywood film set, on a real film set. Holding is in Stage 7, which is, for some reason, across from Stage 18, and Stage 18, which is where “In Case of Emergency” is really filmed is opened up, and all kinds of “Hollywood” props are scattered about.
Even better, there are a collection of characters about, including astronauts, alien girls, cowboys, prairie girls, saloon girls, Japanese tourists, non-Japanese tourists (I'm in this group), and non-Japanese walking tourists. Now other than on an active set, I haven't seen this many different characters walking about any of the studio lots I've been on. Still, this is the image of Hollywood most people have, and it was funny to watch.
First of all, we had to distinguish between the non-Japanese tourists (NJT) and the non-Japanese walking tourists (NJWT). The NJT's were the tram riding tourists. Best as I can figure out, the production team must have had to go to another studio to get the tram, because Sony has no tram tour, only a walking tour. The NJT's sat on the tram and on background, we drove in a long circle in order to get back to our start point. Cut had been called and folks were lounging waiting for our returns.
The NJWT's were on their feet and walking, thus the “walking” part of their title. There were two scenes we were involved in, and in the second one, most of the NJT's became NJWT's and the Japanese tourists took over the tram and became the focus of the rest of the shots.
All in all, it was a fun day, with only a modicum of danger. Yes there was real danger on the set in the being of an AD who was given a background actor and a personal cart (the main form of transportation on studio lots, outside of feet and bicycles). Her job was to go racing through the set like a bat out of hell, and weave in and out of traffic. Alas, traffic consisted of us lowly NJT/NJWT's. Truth be told, on action, we were more concerned for our lives than for the take, but were are professionals, and did our jobs, each of us sure of the instant rewards to be showered on us in the event that the wild driving AD plowed into one or more of us, and we survived. However, the AD did manage, though I will never quite know how, to avoid sending any of us to the hospital or the great beyond.
Show: What About Brian
Date: December 11, 2006
Episode: What about the Lake House
Location: Disney Studios, Burbank
Another first, as I have never worked the Burbank Disney Studios. This the home of the Micky Mouse Club, and movies like Babes in Toyland. “Brian” shoots on this lot, and today we are shooting in the commissary, which is were the folks who work the lot eat on a daily basis. We were fed there before we had even begun to work, and before we went there to shoot. On the way to the commissary, I passed the Disney store, and went in for a quick look see. Just like all the other Disney store, except this one is on the Disney lot.
The scene we were going to shoot in the commissary is a hospital cafeteria scene, and so there were supposed to be many doctors there. They had many of us in lab coats, but that didn't please the wardrobe lady on set. She noticed that way too many of us were in lab coats, and there were not enough suits, so having brought my wardrobe with me, I ran back to the holding area on the other side of the commissary, and got out of the lab coat and into my suit jacket.
Now I could become part of the background that would be in the turn-around. That means, a discerning viewer could conceivably spot me eating my sandwich (in lab coat) behind one of the principals, while simultaneously buying my lunch (in suit jacket) behind the other principal. Both in deep background.
Over all, it was not basically different working on this lot than any other, but there was one difference. None of the other studios have pictures of Micky Mouse hanging in the bathrooms, and the halls just outside of them. Now that is atmosphere.
Show: CSI: New York
Date: December 12, 2006
Episode: The Lying Game
Location: Paramount Studios
I think I have now seen as much snow in L.A., as I have in a typical Washington winter. We are shooting scenes that take place in New York on a cold snowy day. There are pallets of large, snow filled bags (only in Hollywood will you find someone selling bagged snow) all over the street, and over where we will be filming is a snow maker (owner and operator of which will make more in one day than many of us will in a year).
We are shooting on New York street, which has several older brownstones, some worn warehouses, and even a Steel and Glass building that is ultra modern. All within rock throwing distance of each other.
So here are some of the secrets to making lots of snow on a Hollywood set.
First, arrange for a cold morning so the snow will last longer. We had a nice cool morning, and of course, were wearing winter gear per the wardrobe dept.
Second, blow snow liberally, nae, Ultra liberally, about the set. Don't be conservative. Hit the windows, stairs, awnings, and if they don't move, the background. (Note: no background were injured in the making of this show).
Third, make sure the snow, as it melts, has some where to run off, like the “subway” entrance that the AD has put me into for one of the takes. Cold, dank and water everywhere including over my head raining down.
Fourth, shovel the snow to mix it with the dirt on the street to give it that real world look of dirty New York snow. Then toss it on top of cars with background actors in them.
And lastly, Don't Hit The Street Lights with the snow blower and shatter the large glob covers.
Awe, well. Four out of five ain't bad.
(The globe on the lamp in the center of the picture did not survive the snow blizzard. A blast of icy snow blew it off of the lamp and shattered it into little white snowy pieces.)
Show: "24"
Date: December 14 and 18, 2006
Episode: Hours 13 and 14
Location: 20th Century Fox Chatsworth Studios
These were normal type days on “24”. There are two main Directors on this show, and the one today is the “one or two shot” specialist. He gets the shot set up and when it's done, there is a possibility that one take is it. Most often, he shoots two, and sometimes even three, but he doesn't go in for 9 and 10 takes that you often get. Makes for fast days.
This is the first time I was working a show as a regular during the holiday season, and “24”'s background handler Jason invited us out for a little holiday gathering. Just the background. It's kind of funny, because there were background there from the two sides of the show. The Presidential location, and the CTU location. Most of us haven't met because we work mostly alternate days. On days where we both work, we come in as they go home, or vice versa. It was a nice little event.
One of the background actors is Stacy. Stacy is the cheer leader for the group, and has put up pictures and bios for the background on the Presidential side of things. For the holiday, she put together little gift bags with M&M's and each one with a lotto scratch ticket. That's thirty background and a few for some of the crew. I won another scratch ticket.
“24” has had very successful seasons, and I have got to tell you that if you watch this show, be prepared for a heck of a season. This one has all of the action the show is noted for and goes well beyond that. And this season, it also has me, so I am sure they are going to pull an Emmy.