Set Diary -- Friday, October 19

Executive Producer Ken Olin likes to sit in the makeup chair for old times sake.

Hey Bloggers & Sisters Fans,

It's Blayne, the new writers intern coming to you from stage 1 on the Disney Lot.  I’ve been interning here for a couple of weeks now, but today is my first time on set.   Before I tell you about it, just a reminder: we've got a new episode Sunday, written by Sherri Cooper and Liz Tigelaar.  It's called "States of the Union."

Back to set.  It's a pretty special day because of our most excellent guest star -- Chevy Chase.

About an hour ago, I looked on the call sheet and saw we were filming scenes with Chevy in the afternoon.  So I quickly took care of the second coffee run for the writers and headed down to the set.

I stepped through the big door of the soundstage and entered a different world, one I can only describe as organized chaos.  Crew members are walking pretty much everywhere, all with a specific purpose.  And yet the set is extremely quiet.

I met up with Michael Morris, a supervising producer on the series and the director of this episode.  He explained how they were “block shooting” the next two scenes.  I found out that means they shoot two consecutive scenes from one side of the set, then move the cameras for the reverse angle and shoot the two scenes again from the other side. 

This saves time from having to go back and forth.  Doing this can be confusing for the actors, but when you're working with two pros like Sally and Chevy, you can be pretty confident they will get it right every time.

After two takes, they moved on to get close-ups.  While they moved the cameras, I was tempted by the fresh baked cookies at the craft services table.  Michael resisted, but I wandered over to inspect…mmmm…

They passed my inspection.

Sparky walked by and mentioned how she shares her nickname “Sparky” with Chevy’s character Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Vacation.  We assured her that the likeness between her and her fictional namesake ended there.

If this guy looks like Sparky, I'm a monkey's uncle!

While they moved in the second camera, Chevy and Michael conversed about the scene and Sally checked messages on her Blackberry.  I wandered back into the unused portions of the stage to see what else was around. 

I saw all the extras from the scene waiting patiently for their call back to set.  I saw a lot of walls and backgrounds I recognized, but couldn’t quite remember where I had seen them in the show.  I think one wall was part of Kevin’s apartment.

It wasn’t long before they were ready to begin shooting again. During the take I hovered over the monitors with Michael, the Director of Photography Cynthia Pusheck, 1st Assistant Director Sally Sue Lander and Script Supervisor Margery Kimbrough.

Michael calls out “ACTION."  The scene starts, a dinner plate falls in the background and makes a loud noise.  Michael yells “CUT."  They reset and do the take again.

Michael and Cynthia like what they see on the monitors after this take so they plan how to move the cameras to the other side of the set. Since that requires moving a wall it looked like it might take a while so I headed back out into the rain and across the lot to my desk.

I really enjoyed my visit to the set and hopefully will be writing again with more interesting tidbits from behind the scenes of the show.

-- Blayne Vixie

Comments

[will]

Hey, my heart is with you guys in the writers' room as this strike impends.

I remember reading an essay Joan Didion wrote about the 1988 Screen Guild writers' strike. She said (when all was said & done), it wasn't about residuals. It was about RESPECT.

We out here in the audience can live with a few reruns come January & February.... Peace & Power to the writers of B&S.

[Suzette (The Netherlands)]

Hi Blayne,

Thanks a lot for the inside bits...I love ready about the show behind the show...lol

Suzette

[will]

In Praise of Decent Writers

Another word about this writers' strike: I truly don't understand why writers aren't more highly esteemed in an industry rooted in TELLING STORIES, of all things. All you have to do is take a look at the BAD scripts floating around - the "Viva Laughlins", the "Dirty Sexy Moneys", the "Cavemens" - to understand the importance of script & story & dialogue to a program's success (or failure). The best producers or directors in the business cannot breathe life into a misconceived script. The best producers & directors in the business cannot make a commercial or critical success out of "Dirty Sexy Money" (not using those cliched, tired, one-size-fits-all scripts; it is an impossibility).

The WRITTEN WORD is the SOIL, Point A, the foundation, building blocks without which, success is impossible, no matter how many Michael Morris' or Ken Olins you have running around the set. Get hacky lousy writers to write an episode of "Brothers & Sisters" & just see how far a good executive producer takes you. (P.S. This is definately NOT a diatribe against Michael or Ken! Nothing against them! They're just a convenient example at hand).

B&S is a show that understands the importance of writers, scripts, dialogue. And Robbie Baitz & Greg Berlanti in particular understand that good scripts don't just "write themselves".

[#1 Brothers and Sisters fan]

Interesting blog Mr. Vixie. I hope to see more from you. Your insights into the first on set experience are visceral and entertaining.

[TBMeow]

You never seem to mention Rob Lowe in your blogs here. Does he not work on this set? He's the reason I started watching this show - and many B&S fans I know started watching because of him too. I would love a comment or two about him. And I'm among those worrying about too many guest stars and characters and as a result I may not get much of my favorites.
I am looking forward to Danny Glover/RL/and SF.
Thanks.

[will]

Wow. Surrreal night in & around L.A.: practically a dozen wildfires burning simultaneously - in Malibu, Canyon Country, Irvine....jumping highways, Santa Ana winds, mandatory evacuations....

"States of the Union"

This "musical cellphones" with Kitty talking to Sarah & Nora calling in....etc...is getting to be a running schtick. But I still smiled.

You know, now that I am REALLY taking a good hard look at Uncle Saul (talking to cater-waiter Scotty) with that scarf wrapped around his neck....? He is going to slip into a gay role seamlessly. Now, IN RETROSPECT, he seems to have been gay ALL ALONG (I no longer believe he coupled with Holly....he was fighting his true nature! Holy is a troubled woman. It's like a sign is flashing above her head: "Warning. Emotional ISSUES! Stay away").

You know, Calista is really not bad in the spa scenes. I think the writers unintentionally do her in sometimes giving her too "snappy" dialogue & all those "steamy" sexy scenes on the campaign trail where she makes out with her fiance like a love-starved schoolgirl - before he gives a stump speech. Your bullsh*t detector goes off (at least mine does). Note to writers: Stop giving Kitty dialogue & action that sets off our bullsh*t detectors. You make her a cartoon character occasionally & she's really not half bad (don't keep throwing her under the bus!)

Kevin's line "Saul are you gay?" seems to not be built on much. Because Scotty said he saw Saul at a gay party? That's enough info? What if Scotty had seen Tommy there? Would Kevin be confronting Tommy? We were given NO CLUE before that single scene last season.... at any rate, NOT ORGANIC! Kevin has good gaydar & Kevin never showed clues before tonight that he "suspected". This is how soap operas work, quite frankly, when a character all of a sudden is given a muliple personality. And nothing has prepared you (unless a character's plotline drying up is ample preparation...hey! let's make the guy gay! That would spice things up!) .

Sarah can't open the hotel door with the room card (she's "lock blocked"). Her "date" leaves...& PRESTO!...the door conveniently opens. And the music "winks" at us that this was a humorous moment. MY FEAR is that "Brothers & Sisters" is lapsing slowly into mediocrity. Nothing much intrigues, no "engine" ssems to drive action forward. Music comments blandly on the action.

The idea of Justin getting highly defensive when Rebecca questions his drug abstinence is plausible. But his defensiveness is written as if it comes out of nowhere. He simply "EXPLODES". Re-watch the scene & see that an OK idea doesn't work. Whatever fears or impulses that are running around in Justin's head are not SHARED with us. We're not given a clue. Is a scene missing? Looks like he's gonna become an addict again to rehabilitate his plotline.

I'm OKAY with Calista tonight! I am digging Calista. Usually she's placed in so many false positions it's hard to get a read on the decent actress underneath. I am enjoying this actress. She has passion, naturalness, she underplays.... next week you'll probably throw her under the bus again with goofy unrealistic "feel your fiance up at the next political rally" stuff....or give her quippy retorts that don't suit her. Oh my God, I WAS WRONG about Calista. She was actually touching (I like small pleasures).

Here is what I'm feeling: these actors are everything you could ask for. They approach their characters from the inside out, ORGANICALLY. But then there's this FRICTION because organic characterizations are sometimes paired with inorganic dialogue or action. The writing simply needs to RISE to the occasion of a brilliant cast. And I don't use the word "brilliant" often or lightly.

[Scott]

Now that "Viva Laughlin" has been officially cancelled, I sincerely hope you make every effort to bring back Jason (Eric Winter) ASAP!

Viewers are really longing for a Jason/Kevin reunion so we can see more of their relationship onscreen.

Solid episode last night. The women at the spa was alternatively amusing and touching, and I found the Kevin/Saul scenes to be really fascinating (and I loved the glimpse into the Kevin/William relationship).

Although Justin's relapse is perhaps realistic, do make sure to differentiate this storyline from his arc last year. Viewers will quickly lose interest in a rehash.

In addition, although I sympathized with Tommy's marital woes, having him (evidently) fool around with Lena so quickly made the storyline feel awfully rushed (not to mention, the 'twist' was easily telegraphed). The writers should really be careful about the pacing of certain storylines, and this is the one most in need of such care.

The acting, per usual, was fantastic.

[CeCe]

Looks like they cancelled Viva Laughlin after two airings. I'm sorry for the folks at that show, but OMGOMGOMGOMG I hope it means Eric can come back from Malaysia now!!! And he can come back juuuuust at the time that Kevin and Scotty decide to try taking their relationship to the next level. OOO, fighting over Kevin! *crosses fingers*

[will]

Yes, CeCe!!

Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God!

Jason needs to come back & resuscitate Kevin's ailing love life. Jason needs to hold Kevin's face in his hands & kiss him & inject a little much-needed passion.... AND since there seems to be consensus - on this board at least - about Jason, since Jason seems to be "THE ONE", please sign Eric up to a long-term contract. Let Kevin discover the joys of commitment. Let us see their progress as a stable couple. We've been watching Kevin doing the 4-to-5 week boyfriend thing for a year now.

We need to see Kevin navigate the good times & hard times with Jason. By "hard times" I mean the not-so-good times. (hahaha) That's the MEANING of this show, right?....family & love & commitment..... So don't short-change Kevin. And I believe Eric is an actor comfortable enough in his own skin to give this relationship real emotional weight & depth & not be afraid to take some chances.

Viva Kevin & Jason!
R.I.P. "Viva Laughlin".

[MARY]

Please bring Eric Winter back.

PLease, please please.

[yvette]

great show Sunday. Although The Tommy Lena affair was a bit to predicable. Usually if I can figure out what is going to happen before it happens that is not a good thing because I start to lose interest in the show. But the Uncle Saul story line and poor Justin as got me hooked. And now that Viva Laughlin is cancelled (personally I wish they had keep it a little bit longer, I like shows that are different than the same old thing I found myself singing along with the songs. Not to mention I will watch anything with Eric Winters in it) Anyway back to the point now that the show is cancelled can you please please bring Eric back? I know I have said it before along with some other faithful bloggers here Eric and Matthew's characters seem to work because Jason is Kevin's equall and he is helping Kevin to grow as a person I do not see that with Scotty at all. The writers could do so much with their relationship not to say that it would be perfect but it would make for better writing in my opinion. So I hope you guys really read these bloggs and listen to the masses and bring Eric back.

[will]

One quick note on Jason:

When Jason left for Malaysia, I felt a little heartsick. This is one of the rare times when the show became alive for me....because the show suggested that they had been living together all summer. That they had been cooking together & showering together &....what we all do...sharing a life together. THAT'S the story I'd been waiting for. I'm not actually looking for hot, sweaty man-on-man sex....that's just a RUSE.... & anyway we all have porn for that.... I wanted to see these 2 interesting actors sharing a life together. The small stuff. Going to the grocery store, going out to the beach, fighting, taking the dog to the vet, working out issues, sharing a life. And seeing how their relationship figures into the larger context of the Walker family.

I feel that Eric & Matthew both - not just as actors, but as PEOPLE - are comfortable enough in their own skin to present a compelling, living portrait of 2 gay men & the way we live now. Take a look around the rest of the american television landscape. NOBODY else is telling that story. And it's a natural for B&S.

[will]

OK, I've just gone back to youtube to review a couple scenes from the last season with Jason & Kevin. I am trying to figure out why (& to maybe justify why) I like these guys better as a couple than Kevin & Scotty.

There is a beautiful TENSION, a sort of underlying electricity & seething sexual - animosity? energy? that ignites the Kevin & Jason scenes. Now, I understand that the tension is written into the scene conceptions. But Jason & Kevin get a lot of mileage out of this "opposites attracting" bit & it's nice to feel an authentic sexual current for a change (especially that pantry scene!) and a subtext that energizes the banter.

Kevin is basically a narcissist. Kevin is the epitome of "ME ME ME!" - Kevin's the sun & everything revolves around him - & I think I've noted elsewhere that it's this narcissistic quality that makes the bitchy catfights between Kevin & Kitty so appealing. They are both prima donnas. Both were foot-stomping spoiled brats as children.... & they still harbor these impulses as adults.

Jason, is the other end of the spectrum. As a man of the cloth, he is more selfless than self-involved. At least he TRIES for selflessness. Leaving Kevin to help the poor in Malaysia as part of the church's calling seems perfectly in his character. And it's that TENSION & attraction between the 2 personalities that could be comic (& dramatic) GOLD in the future, should Jason return. Jason's every bit as hip & cultured as Kevin is.... they just see things from very different perspectives, personality-wise.

I LOVE this silent friction....a subtext beneath the surface.....character personality that animates individual scenes (as opposed to mere PLOT). A whole lot of great exploration can occur between these guys..... & yes, I might as well own up to it - I think Jason & Kevin are a much cuter couple than Scotty & Kevin.... they are just easier on the eyes (my eyes anyway).

So there it is. I am trying to make my case not only to the regulars on these threads (Scott, CeCe, John, JoAnne, Jude, Ilovemylife, etc), but also to the "Brothers & Sisters" writing teams. Kevin & Jason will yield a whole lot of happiness & personal magnetisms & that sense of opposites coming together....they just create a funkier vibe, better nuance, all dialogue aside. They have the capacity to give their scenes a jolt of excitement, to (in effect) create their own oxygen, & they offer the writers a whole lot more raw material to work with, should the writers choose to rise to the challenge.

(Oh God, I have got to come up with something better to do with my time....yeah.... but there's my 2 cents).

[Carrie]

I hope I don't sound mean when I say this, but I'm so happy Viva Laughlin was cancelled. I really hope you guys bring back Eric Winters. And please do not go the affair route with Tommy and Lena. I could see it coming from a mile away and really dread it.

[Jenn]

Thanks for the peek inside of the show. I am a huge Ken Olin fan and knew I was going to love show as soon as I read his name as producer. And have enjoyed each and every episode so far.

A little request from me, bring Eric back and let him and Kevin be happy. It would be nice to see them happy and in a loving honest relationship. Ditch the Scotty story line.

Thanks for such a great show !! I really look forward to it every week.

[Marie]

Please keep Scotty on the show. He's a great character and has a good dynamic with Kevin.

Even if Jason comes back, Kevin still needs a friend.

[Kate]

Ditto for me on the love fest to bring Eric back as Jason!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!

[Lisa]

Please bring Eric Winter back. I hope he wants to come back as well. I am so happy that he might me back. Please Contact Eric Winter and tell him we want him back before it is to late and he goes to another show.

[will]

VIEWER COMPLAINT!!!

WHY is this board updated so infrequently? It is practically dead here. This time last year, threads were regularly updated 3-4 times daily. I hope it is because of the impending writers' strike & because you guys are all busy churning out first-rate scripts before the start of November. However, somebody COULD update comments before going home each night. Seems little enough to ask....

Looking over the posts here, I feel a bit guilty that I am consuming so much space with so many comments.... SO, because of this guilt & in a generous spirit of atonement....

VIEWER MAIL

"Will, take a chill pill, or a labotomy. No one wants to read what you have to say".....Kong Chang, Oct 15, 2007

"Will needs to chill. Not everything has to be 'deep'. Get off your high horse, buddy".....Adam, Aug. 27, 2007

"Response to Will. I can't imagine what you're searching for in these blogs; I agree with Adam's philosophy of lightening up".....Sharon, Aug. 29, 2007

"Wow. Ok. Will, I'm not sure where you work or what you do....This blog was created as a forum for fans to get some behind-the-scenes fun facts....You are ruining all of our fun!".....Arielle, Aug. 30, 2007

"Please, Please! Shut Will up!!!! Block him somehow. I am sick of reading his posts!".....Rose, April 28, 2007

"Will: Please stop momopolizing the board and projecting your personal needs onto the story! It's a fictional story, man. Let it be told in it's own way. Please don't get crabby with the monkey when it doesn't dance exactly the way you want it to....".....Spike, March 30, 2007

"Didn't think Will would be able to just READ comments without putting his know-it-all comments in.....You are a deeply troubled person that really need to get some psychological help. Try some yoga".....Donna, Feb. 23, 2007

"Will, I am not sure if you have ever seen a therapist, but I wish you would.....Please get help, and find out why you have these abnormal feeelings. Good Luck".....corncerned, Jan. 24, 2007

---------------------------

Also: It would be nice of you folks in the writers room to pen a blog letting us in on what is happening at your end.... DAN? Hello? Why are you silent all of a sudden? You love to blog & gossip & wax on & spout about almost ANY OTHER SUBJECT. Share some time with your online family, please! We feel a little neglected here.

[lisa]

why always speaking about jason kevin??

comments are different on others boards,

very restrictive here....

[Quinn]

Usually, I find the writing to be quirky, endearing and fun to watch. Tonight, however, the show seemed to have joined the other boring and unoriginal garbage on network television.

The "adulterors-we're-supposed-to-empathize-with" storyline is stale, overdone, and utterly unwatchable. The Tommy-and-Lena story seems to indicate that the show's writers are incapable of coming up with new material. By methodically destroying the integrity of each of your main characters, you're alienating viewers.

Where I could once find other redeeming qualities to counteract the characters' often-questionable conduct, the motif has become so prevalent that watching it is no longer enjoyable. I can get my fill of moral reprehensibility from Nip/Tuck - at least with that show I expect outrageous self-indulgence.

Conflict makes television interesting, but adultery has become a genetic condition on Brothers & Sisters. Tommy has every reason to be upset - we should be able to sympathize with his grief before a reason to minimize it is shoved down our throats.

[Lee]

A big shout out to Pete and Cliff. "Domestic Issues" was a superb episode.

Great pacing, balance, dialog...the whole package. I laughed, I cried. Excellent work!

[will]

Wow. This episode of "Brothers & Sisters" is preceded by a particularly strong "Desperate Housewives".

"DOMESTIC ISSUES" (10/28/07)

Why can't Senator McCallister just say that there's scientific evidence to support evolution & that "Creationist" theory is bunk? Is that really so outrageous?

Kitty pregnant? If she is, it probably happened out on the campaign trail. With so much FOREPLAY going on between Kitty & Robert as he waits to address labor unions & special interest groups. Look, I KNOW you guys are trying to position him as a "moderate" (pro-life & pro-birth control) candidate....but, I don't know, his presidential campaign doesn't seem to be taking place in 2007, 2008. Is McCallister trying to win the conservative nomination over Giuliani & Romney? Or is that totally off-the-wall for me to think that & place this story in realistic terms?

This girl playing Lena seems a very bland actress. She's even blandly pretty. She doesn't seem to be playing a character exactly. More like a plot device. We fans have every reason to hate her! She's cheating with Tommy AND she can't act (at least so far)! BOOOO! Give her the hook! Scenes with Holly & Lena are particularly mind-numbing....a double-whammy of dull.... OK, Will, look on the positive side! Always so cynical.

LOVE Rachel Griffiths! Such a beautiful emotive face. She's so raring & primed to give a performance here....wish she had a little more nuanced & complex storyarc to share with us. This guy playing McCallister's campaign manager is gay in real life. NOT that it MATTERS!! Some of my best friends are gay! OK, I'm off-topic.

I am digging Calista AGAIN. I'm so glad she doesn't have to portray "cute" & "coy"....so much better when she portrays real emotion. She's not a terrible actress. It just seemed that way, with all the cutesy jokes & cutesy fake neurotic tendencies with Robert (you can choke on the cheesy & saccharine overload) & all that damned FOREPLAY at work.

Republican debate's on the telly....Justin pops pain pills secretively & answers the door.....Tommy comes over, Sarah comes over.... OK, I GET IT now! McCallister isn't emulating a current GOP candidate in the present field.... He's showing us what a decent GOP candidate SHOULD aspire to. Moderation, rationality, compromise, integrity. In other words, he is STICKING IT to the evangelicals & their politics of ME! ME! ME!, I, ME, MINE! (evangelicals basically think only of themselves & THEIR screwy godly agenda). McCallister's not gonna get the evangelical vote talking that way!

F--k. Let me tell everybody that I am just so OKAY with Calista. I guess I'm sort of making amends here...I've called her so many names in the past. She is giving Kitty heart & subtlety. You know, these lulling contemporary ballads (there are 2 so far tonight) in the background are becoming a little suspect. They are feeling - stuck in. You've made us laugh, you've made us cry....& now cue the introspective ballad to finish us off!...it feels a little like over-kill in the manipulation department. Listen, I don't MIND being manipulated. Just be a little more subtle please!

This baby-out-of-wedlock plotline mixed in with McCallister's presidential nomination is kind of cool. Good job! McCallister just said he's gonna go ahead & navigate some uncharted waters. I LIKE this dude. Oh boy, lulling ballad #3 is on...this one a bit more upbeat. Getting to feel a bit like Pavlov's dog here.

Tonight is really about the women of B&S. Kitty, Sarah, Nora. I love being manipulated by these 3 classy ladies. That's manipulation I'm down with.

[mark]

Calista & Rachel were Emmy worthy in the episode "Domestic Issues."

[Carrie]

I read somewhere that Ken Olin is going to be on an episode of Brothers & Sisters, I have to know if this is a rumor or not.