Set Diary -- Friday, August 24

Dear Set Diary

“And...action!” 

Okay, don’t look at the camera… don’t look at the camera.

“Beth, stop looking at the camera,” says Rob Nelson, annoyed.  Normally Rob is our video playback guy, but today he’s behind the camera. 

Crap!

Okay, concentrate… don’t look at the camera and don’t laugh.  I look across the table at the actress at whom I’m supposed to yell.  She seems so nice.  I haven’t the least desire to yell at her.  How do actors do this?  I start to laugh... 

“Cut!”

On a normal day at Brothers & Sisters, I work as the writers’ assistant alongside the wonderful and patient Ben Kruger.  My job consists of living in the room with the writers as they pitch amazing storylines for your favorite characters.  The Writers’ Room is where I feel at home and at ease. 

So, when Sparky, our associate producer, told me she wanted to use me in something for episode 204, you can imagine my shock.  Me?  Could she really want me in the show?  This could be it… my Big Break!  Forget my future as a writer – I’m going to live out my childhood dream and be a TV star like Shannon Doherty!

   

Sparky Hawes, video playback auteur.

Sparky quickly put in that they wouldn’t be shooting audio, so I wouldn’t have to worry about memorizing lines.  It was just a graphic for video playback.  “If the scene makes it to air, you’ll only be onscreen for about a second,” she said, before quickly adding, “In the background.  On a TV.”  Ok, so maybe I jumped the gun a little, but still…

I’m going to be on TV!

The day of shooting arrived quickly, and there was a lot to be done in a short amount of time.  I showed up ready for hair & makeup but was quickly informed that that wouldn’t be necessary.  Then I walked into the wardrobe room, which is filled with endless racks of clothing – a dream come true!  The wardrobe ladies sized me up like pros.  “What you’re wearing looks fine,” they both agreed.   Things weren’t going exactly how I had imagined.

Next I met my co-stars, Tania (Calista Flockhart’s assistant) and Gerrit (our post coordinator).  They, like me, are used to being behind the scenes.  “I was forced to do this by the editors,” Gerrit explained.  I played it cool and nodded my head in agreement.

The "cast": Beth, Gerrit and Tania relax with some delicious North Light Coffee.

And now, here we are:  on location in a park a few blocks away from the Disney studio.  Liz Tigelaar (one of the writers of Episode 204) begins setting up the scene for us, explaining our characters’ motivation, since there was no written dialogue.

Liz Tigelaar enjoying perhaps the greatest creative freedom of her career.

“So you guys were best friends,” Liz says.  Then, to Tania: “But now you hate her and her boyfriend, because they’ve been spreading awful rumors about you to the press.  Okay, now… go!” 

Tania and I look at each other blankly. 

“You guys, we’re rolling – start fighting,” says Sparky.  Tania looks at me.  “Why did you spread rumors about me?”  I thought about it.  I didn’t know why, and the writer in me apparently thought she had the day off.

 

This scene between Gerrit and Beth was cut for obvious reasons.

Seeing me struggle, Liz spouts off dialogue.  “Tell her she’s an awful friend.  She’s so pouty and always jealous…”—

“Beth, don’t look at the camera.”  This is Rob again.  Jeez, this is hard! 

Sparky has had it.  “Come on guys – really start fighting, move your arms around.”  I take a deep breath, and before I knew it I’m yelling at poor Tania.  And then the scene is over.   “Great job you guys!” exclaim Sparky and Liz.

I return to the Writers’ Room wearing a sense of accomplishment I was sure was visible to all.  A writer approaches me, impressed, and opens her mouth to ask how the shoot went.

“Beth?  Can you make sure to order more of those dry-erase markers in black?  And also print me out last week’s notes.  Oh, and could you please grab me a Diet Coke from the kitchen when you get a chance…” 

Okay, well, I guess I’m not going to be starring in my own series just yet…

Faithfully yours,
Beth Schwartz

Comments

[Chelsea]

What a great blog! I can't wait to hear more stories from behind the scenes of my favorite show! And I hope Beth hits it big, soon!

[Sharon]

How interesting to read about a day in the life of a writing assistant/actress and just all around indispensible part of the staff of Brothers and Sisters.

[Bill Schumer]

I am fascinated to see you and your writings on my computer. Bill

[Andrea]

Fun! Even if you're in for only one second! That's FAR more than us other fans get. =) Hey, the blog needs a "Guest Start in a B&S Episode" contest!

[will]

Beth: Didn't enjoy this blog (can't enjoy them all I suppose!). Pure fluff, 100% cotton candy.

I re-read it to (perhaps) obtain a deeper meaning. Which caused only further unease. "I'M GOING TO BE ON TV!" seemed to be the predominant ethic of the first half of the blog (which is unfortunately endemic of our society). Fame, surface, glamour, superficiality....lights, camera. action...."Look at me!"

I know the object here was frivolity & lightness. But you seem to live in a sugar-coated parallel universe where writers routinely pitch "AMAZING" storylines for our "favorite characters" (& while were on the subject, can we PLEASE have a moratorium on such vacuous words as "amazing", "awesome", "fabulous"...?).

Other than that, can't wait for the opening episode. Can anyone offer any info as to whether Robbie Baitz is still involved in the day-to-day production of B&S? Greg Berlanti seems to have moved on to other projects.... they were my favorite writers & offered some of the best, funkiest, irreverent & timely dialogue of season one (in my opinion).

[Talia]

Will: Didn’t enjoy this comment. It’s a blog about the behind-the-scenes excitement of working on a hit show, of which I am assuming you are a fan. As a fellow fan, I find it fun to get a peak into the inner-workings of a show that I enjoy and the opportunity to live vicariously through the people who have the pleasure of working there. Ummm. . . lighten up. Great blog, Beth!

[Adam]

Will needs to chill. Not everything has to be "deep." Get off your high horse, buddy.

[Staci]

Will... go away. We wouldn't come back so often if we didn't love the fun, light and entertaining tidbits we get. Thanks Beth, I loved the blog!

[will]

I'm sorry! Mea culpa! Jeez....suddenly a lynching party? I just wanted to give my unadulterated response to Beth's blog.

But before you all bite my head off, & in my own defense, look at the blog again:
No real information is offered. Not a single cast member is cited. Nothing is learned going in....or out. No plotline is revealed. "Entertaining tidbit" is not what I walked away from after reading this. This blog was a horrible confection.

But at any rate, I truly love the show. Best cast on the tube. I hope you B&S writers are giving Kevin some juicy storylines....The more demanding the storyline with Matthew, the better it all works out (Sally & Rachel, too). Calista deserves the more superficial storylines. They suit her personality better (& this is not necessarily a put-down).

[Scott]

Will, since when does a blog entry require a "plotline reveal"?

Constructive criticism is fine, but I found your tone unduly disrespectful. A true fan would be able to express any disappointment in a much more considerate tone.

Personally, I have enjoyed the variety of blog entries because they demonstrate to me that everyone involved in the production of this show is engaged, intelligent, and, most of all, retains a good sense of humor. (Great job, Beth!)

[will]

Scott: I honestly meant no disrespect. You know I have been here since the beginning of the show, and have praised countless blogs.

This particular blog was just too zany & too empty for my tastes. Sure, we all enjoy meals every now & then that contain zero nutritional value, but zero nutitional value must at least have the saving grace of being fun. I didn't walk away from this blog thinking "FUN"....I DID think it was trying too hard to be "fun" or freewheeling.

An uneasy philosophy runs through Beth's entry: That we (fans) will automatically pucker up for any trite, pointless blog-scenario that purports to take us "behind the scenes". Look, I have nothing against cotton candy. It's just not cool when your teeth ache after eating it.

Hi Beth !

[Sharon]

Response to Will-I can't imagine what you're searching for in these blogs; I agree with Adam's philosophy of lightening up.

[will]

OK.

[will]

Example: I am reading on the "Afterelton" site that Kevin's first boyfriend Scotty (Luke MacFarlane) is coming back for seven episodes.

Beth MIGHT have worked that tidbit of information into her long rambling blog....mightn't she? This is truly bizarre: I stumble across all kinds of info regarding season 2 on OTHER websites, OTHER media, never HERE where it should belong. This blog is a hot lonely desert of B&S information. B&S bloggers will actually blog here that season 2 is still "under wraps" (whatever that means) & that not much can be revealed.....yet other sites manage to scoop all sorts of information that should appear here first.

I can't wait for the next cotton candy puffy blog.... OK I can feel a whole lot of sarcasm building....better stop here....I want my criticisms to be "constructive" as Scott so helpfully points out.

[Arielle]

Wow. Ok. Will, I'm not sure where you work or what you do, but let me give you a little bit of insight. While others might be able to "scoop" lots of information, they are not regulated by the network, who tries to control what information gets out and when. This blog was created as a forum for fans to get some behind-the-scenes fun facts, not to spoil the whole season for those of us who want to enjoy it as it comes.
If you want spoilers, then by all means visit websites that will provide you with them. But please stop misunderstanding what this site is about and criticizing those who contribute to it. You are ruining all of our fun!

[heidi]

I just wanted to compliment the show on how they handled the death of one of the twins. This has been one of my favorite shows since it started airing. Most topics addressed are "real-life" issues. This show that I referenced above hit very close to home for me and my husband. Eight years ago I was pregnant with identical boys. I lost one and delivered my son at 27 weeks. He weighed 2.9 lbs. Anyway, this episode was a very emotional for us. It was scripted and acted out great. I only have one suggestion, if it matters, don't write the death of the baby out of the script. It remains a very big part of your life, especially when your surviving child experiences his firsts. In our case, my son has cerebral palsy so we have other issues to deal with as well. But the death of our son is real. It has impacted our life and we talk about it with our children. An example is: my husband's faith basically diminished, mine became stronger. Or you try to be strong for your partner and you both wind up crying because you are dealing with feelings that need to be dealt with. I guess I don't need to blab on anymore. Again, I want to thank you for a great show!!!!!!!!!!

[will]

Arielle: I am just being a royal freaking pain in the *ss. Obviously too much time on my hands.

Beth: Sorry for razzing you. You seem lovely. Thank you for taking us behind the scenes & guiding us across the "Brothers and Sisters" backlots & writing rooms & scenic hinterlands with your own sweet, magical style.

I will try to "play nice" in the coming future.

[Lauren]

How strange, this Will person. I came on this website to see what's going on with my favorite show and I see this strange little man belittling everyone.

I find it funny that Will criticizes Beth for being excited by, as he puts it, "Lights, camera, action" yet he is on a TV show website clearly obsessed by everything that he scorns.

I agree with Sharon and Adam- lighten up.

[Karla]

I think Tania Adal is very sexy. Please make her a main character on the show ASAP.

[Arielle]

Will: Apology accepted. I could never truly be mad at a such a devoted B&S fan.

[Sully]

Put more pictures of Beth on this blog! She's cute!

[JoAnne]

Will, sorry your comments are taken so seriously I have enjoyed reading your thoughts on this show from the beginning.