On Set, Off Set

What was it like on set?  What do the writers do? Well, it is the writer’s job to be on set and be sure that, for every scene, the intention of that scene is captured.  So, considering that 112 is our script, we were on set all day, every day.  We worked with the actors, the director (a terrific and honorable gentleman named Fred E. O. Toye), Margery Kimbrough – our wonderful script supervisor, and the entire crew.  It’s our job to make and/or sign off on changes to assure that everything makes sense and works for everyone involved.   It’s a lot of work bringing an idea for an episode (from conception to pitch to script to rewrites to shooting…) to life.

There were plenty of small changes to be made.  Why?  Well, besides the fact that we’re not very good writers, there are issues of timeline and story logic that need to be addressed due to production time constraints.  (If you didn’t understand any of what was just said… good.  We hoped that would be as confusing as possible, so that we can hide the fact that basically, we were flying by the seat of our pants, and using our guts to guide us.)

During the actual filming, there was plenty of attention to be paid to each line of dialogue (we got some AMAZING performances).  But there’s a great deal of time, between scenes and when we “turn around” (a production term for turning around the camera, and getting a close up of a different actor) where the writer has no responsibility.  Sometimes these set-ups would take over an hour.  So we waited.  And waited.

You might be wondering, how in the world we passed the time…

Well, we got fat.  We ate free craft-service food.  It was delicious.  We drank a lot of coffee.  We played online Boggle (which, at midnight, is a surprising amount of fun), and we did crossword puzzles (I’m very bad at them, but Pete is worse).  We quoted movies, and watched youtube.  We developed crushes on dreamy producer, Michael Morris.  We got in the way of the crew (Pete was accused, by a grip, of backing up into the dolly when he was easily 10 feet away from it).  We discovered an online game called Line Rider.  Our B Camera 1st AC, Chris Taylor, has a gift for Line Rider and created a beauty that lasts for almost 5 minutes.  He also has a knack for designing funny t-shirts.  We spent some time laughing at his catalogue and buying shirts.  His company is called Jetset… check it out.  You will be amused.

Some of us smoked cigarettes, others played with their Blackberries.  We once got in a heated, passionate argument, about which extra was the hottest.  It started with just Pete and me, but soon, everyone from our creator, to Michael White got involved.  We had some attractive extras.

Maybe the best thing about being on set was getting to know all the nice folks here at Brothers & Sisters.  There are too many names to list at this time, but we have the coolest crew in the world.  Seriously, those guys and gals rock.  Everyone is so good at what they do, and they enjoy their jobs.  Being there, in the trenches with them, was inspirational.

Loose Change:
Pete loves comics, and has recently become obsessed with Galactus.  It’s kind of weird… Dave, our PA, has been seen holding his cardboard sign on the Disney lot, lobbying for PCA votes… There’s a cold that has been floating around the office.  We’re pretty sure it’s Dave’s fault… We get to see a cut of our episode in a few hours – both of us are pretty psyched.  That’s right.  I went back to 1992 and used the word “psyched.”  Wanna fight about it?...  While playing online Boggle, we never ranked above 25th, but we didn’t care: all we wanted was to consistently beat another user who went by the handle “shittymuffins”…  Oh yeah, and if you haven’t already today, please VOTE for us… show progress: 113 shooting, 114 is prepping, 115 is being written.

[Later addition: We're idiots.   How could we NOT mention Sally Sue?!  She was our beautiful, fantastic, hard-assed - in a good way! - 1st AD who made the hours between takes pass faster by her entertaining stories of working with artistic (aka crazy) feature directors.  We're lucky.  She'll be working on 116 with us.]

Comments

[sally sue]

HA! It was great having you guys on set... glad y'all enjoyed it. (tell which grip it was and I'll kick his/her ass)

[Kong Chang]

This is too funny. You guys rock! I love how even behind the scenes, you guys have a little fun in between scenes and shots. Little stuff like that is what makes production such an interesting read.

[will]

storyline suggestion: I was thinking about the Kevin and the military-guy-in-the-bar scene and the infered one night stand... I think Kevin SHOULD actually get involved with a just-returned-from-Iraq veteren. NOT the actor we saw in the bar though! I looked again - he's sort of weird, somebody else please. But think of the drama and dynamics that could unfold: 29-year-old Iraq vet could be very supportive still of the Iraqi mission - and republican (think of the family dinners - Norah would be softly sarcastic in her disaproval, at the head of the table, he so doesn't jibe with her politics). For a show so rooted in politics and family, this would open a wide door to possibilities. Kevin would feel conflicted himself about dating this "republican" (let's say he's from Utah - I was going to say Wyoming, but too Brokeback Mountain), drawn to him physically. Kevin, who's uptight a little about his own sexuality could grow from the experience. Make Utah guy a mormon or Scientologist. With a 6-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. And when Kitty does her television talk show, have the topic be global warming - I hear too many republicans saying global warming doesn't exist, or not enough data is in. Boy, do I have WAY too much time on my hands !!...

[ilovemylife]

I was wondering things like . . . . .....

Who reads this blog, besides us, I mean - does JRB read it? Any of the crew? Any of the cast members? Names, please... :>)

If so, what's the inside talk on all our hoopla and the hubbub after the Part 2 of Mistakes Were Made?

Do the actors know how special they are to us ? . . . that this show of fictional characters has succeeded
in making us
feel more alive
in our real lives?

We the passionate viewers of the show
want them to know. At least I do.
They are in our, I mean, my blood.

Who knew TV could be this good.

.... . . . ..... Thanks

[Harriet]

Thanks for the description of what it's like to be on set. However, I still want to know when I can see that missed episode. Seriously, I don't see any point in watching the new episode until I've seen the previous one! I thought you people actually read these posts, but you don't seem to care that your loyal fans missed your show because you changed the title of the episode and didn't tell anyone else! Please stop ignoring us.

[will]

OK, let's see... "Desperate Housewives" is one of the most popular shows in the country (some weeks, THE most popular). B&S timeslot is directly afterword, one of the most coveted timeslots this season (along with the hour following Grey's)> ABC WON the November sweeps - the 18-49 demographic, which is even more important than an "overall" win, because the 18-49 group BUYS more stuff from advertising peddlers. In other words, a perfect setting, perfect SOIL if you will, for a family drama (dramady?) of B&S's caliber. How to capitalize on this?? Word-of-mouth is good, but this strikes me as nickel and diming, too small potatoes compared to innovative (aggressive) advertising. I hope you guys step up to the plate here. Have Greg Berlanti HIMSELF shoot the B&S promos - custom-made! -I trust him unconditionally as a director. I'm harping aren't I? I blogged the inadequate promo stuff before. But be sure to take advantage of the MOMENT...you - we - made be sitting here a year from now in a very different position...

[Michael]

Come on, post the lost episode or re-run it. Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ilovemylife]

Will... . . .I just was reading your posts above and I was laughing so hard, tears were coming out of the corners of my eyes. You were cracking me up.

I like the "let's say he's from Utah - I was going to say Wyoming, but too Brokeback Mountain" - ………………………..you are hilarious.

I love this "place"!

I'm glad you are able to say "Boy, do I have WAY too much time on my hands !!..." because you made my afternoon.

AND I'm so WITH You on the "let's fight for this show NOW, when it can count, so we don't have to be in mourning next year - if you get my drift... . . .

And - just like to say, I turn on the TV AT 10:00 p.m. for BROTHERS AND SISTERS - I make up for anyone who watched DH and then decided they needed to go to sleep to get up early Monday morning after DH is over.

Yeah, and I was gonna make this a short one. . . ...
oops.

Well, while this so long already, I've been wanting to be able to mention a poll I created this morning about bringing Scotty back, but tvguide.com has been throwing a wrench in the way all day long. But after I’ve formed a personal relationship with their site customer service young man, David Flores, I think I’ll throw out to those who - love Scotty and Kevin as a couple - this POLL and hope you join in.

THE POLL Question:

Do You Want Scotty Back on Brothers and Sisters?

Vote for one of the following options that you want to see happen on the show:

1 Scotty returns to Kevin, it goes great, then they break up

2 Scotty approaches KEVIN to rekindle the relationship

3 Kevin approaches SCOTTY to rekindle the relationship

4 Kevin & Scotty accidentally meet & lo-ong MAGIC happens

5 Kevin & Scotty take it slow, explore, help one another grow, and love
more maturely

This is purely for fun – gotta do something while we wait. (Can’t stand these weeks of No New Shows. The only episodes I haven’t seen a multi-number of times are the first two that I don’t have recorded.)

Keep voting for Brothers & Sisters every day!
After all – it IS our People’s Choice,
………………………………………isn’t it?

Cheers.

[Kong Chang]

Wow, choices choices, Ilovemylife...

Hmm, I believe that Kevin & Scotty are fated/destined to be together in some way or form. As I mentioned on another forum, no matter how big L.A. is, it's actually a small world when you are fated to be together (as lovers, as friends or whatever).

So, to have fun with your poll, because I just love taking polls, I will pick number 4, because fate always brings people together accidentally or on purpose...and I love the idea of a long magic happening. But then again, I kinda want to intersperse it with number 5, because I want their relationship to grow and help each other out in the long run of things too. But in the end, I really want them to be meant for each other.

[will]

Harriet: There should be a B&S online viewing option on the ABC website, but...NOT!..& no explanation. There were miles and miles of blog-commentary about PART. 2 - lots of it trumped up by a 3 or 4 consertative activists. Here's what happened: Kitty came out on her talk show AGAINST the Iraq war and the "mistakes that were made". Real-life conservatives do this on a daily basis now, but a handful of multiple-time bloggers - under PSEUDONYMS! - tried to create fake controversy...a Brothers and Sisters SMACKDOWN!...that didn't really pan out..."OUTRAGED", "FORMER VIEWER!", and all that "simply amazed" BS. These folks will come round to reality, hopefully in our lifetime. Kitty may have tried to influence a CA senator, played by Rob Lowe, to pull some strings regarding Justin's redeployment. (Justin was threatening to abscound across the border) There was a "road trip" taken by 3 of the sibs - Sarah, Kevin and Tommy - involving the family's financial woes which was (too) neatly solved at their father's bank security deposit box. I didn't fully comprehend this, but apparently the family's not in debt anymore and won't have to sell off assetts to survive (the father bought some land in the middle of nowhere, see...but never mind!) This was the infamous "road trip" where the sibs stopped off at a local roadside "army bar", and Sarah got a little funky and loose (and buzzed), started dancing, played pool with drooling soldiers. And Kevin was picked up by a rather beefy-looking (and straight-acting gay) soldier. That's why all the blogs like "Never again will I watch this hateful show! My husband's serving in Iraq now, and I was APPALLED by a soldier IN UNIFORM disgracing our country and the flag! I am going to storm out of the room now, I am so fumed!...Liberals keep on spinning!"...and all that..you read them. Anyway, Kevin had a secret, self-satisfied grin on his face the morning after - you KNOW he scored. (the night before, Sarah said something along the lines of - "OK...we come to an ARMY BAR in the middle of nowhere...and HE gets laid...")
Those were the 2 storylines followed. Great fun on the road and QUITE TOUCHING with Kitty's change of heart & sisterly love for Justin. (tugged at your heart without too much schmaltz.) Keep watching, Harriet. Have a feeling these writers have the talent to ASTONISH us.

[Michelle]

Okay this blog ROCKED. I had to laugh about the online game "Line Rider" cause I am a high school english teacher and my kids are obsessed with this game and laugh like you would not believe over these little fellows crashing. Too funny. EXCITING to be on set and I can in my small way attest to the yummy goodness of free craft service food--I was on set teacher for a movie shot in my hometown (Spokane,WA) earlier this year ("Home of the Brave" comes out 11/15) and I LOVED learning more about how films are made,ALL the wait time, how hot this one actor is up close, etc. It was quite an experience for me. Anyway--loved the blog and cannot wait for your epi. :) And "ilovemy life" I agree with all your comments and passionate love/caring of the show. It is the BEST!

[Harriet]

Thanks Will, but I'm not reading a recap (but it was nice of you to take the time to write it). If I'd wanted that, I would have watched the clips video on ABC.com or read it on some other site. I want to see the whole episode. It's not fair that I missed it because the writers didn't update the TiVo information correctly. I can't stay up until 11 just to watch some television show, no matter how good it is. I never missed an episode of Grey's Anatomy when it was in that time slot, because TiVo had correct information.
I want to know when ABC will either re-air the missed episode or make it available in some other way! I'm tired of being nice about it and not getting an answer.

[Carrie]

I'm not sure I understand why so many people missed the episode because TiVo had it as a repeat. I don't know about everyone else, but I usually check my "to do list" on a weekly basis to make sure all of my programs are set to record. When I saw B&S wasn't set to TiVo, I fixed it. I think it's kind of unfair to blame the writers for not giving out information about another way to see the episode. I'm sure if they knew, they would tell us. Chill out.

[Dan]

Congrats Cliff and Peter.
Your episode went on air! My eyes were darting back and forth between the credits and scene with the dicussion about Christmas and Hanukkah, so I can make sure I catch your names. Almost missed it - But didn't. You must be um... "psyched" to see your name flash across the screen on international broadcast. (Canada + USA = international). You've probably mentioned it - but seeing the likes of Sally Field and Ron Rifkin and other great cast members actually saying the words you wrote - probably no words to describe that feeling. It's really a very good episode.

It got me to think though - I wonder how much of the plot is pre-determined when the writing begins and how much creative freedom does writers when writing their episode? There must be a balance between the two - since too much of the latter would become choas in the long run... Just wondering where the line is drawn.

Anyway, inquisitive mind aside, "Light the lights" was a very enjoyable hour of tv. Looking forward to the new episode in the new year. Cheers, Dan