Category: Hollywood Land

Sonny with a Chance Episode Filming! 😀

For those of you unfamiliar with how an episode filming works, I recommend you stop and read about my first filming for Good Luck charlie before you continue.

For whatever reason, SWAC starts filming later in the day than the other DC shows. The scheduled time is 5:30, but it was more like 6 before we where seated inside. Our “warm up guy” was Ezra Weisz, who has to be the best in the business. I saw him before at my Wizards filming. Ezra’s job is basically to keep us entertained between takes, and one of the first games he did was he asked people what they wrote on their facebook status before they came to the show. I saw this as a great opportunity to get to talk to him, and the group as a whole – so I raised my hand – “I’ve got a good one!” He seemed skeptical of that, but let me continue to say that I was going to write that I was excited to see him again. He commented and let me continue to say that everyone should check out the behind the scenes videos on his youtube. At which point he knew that I really was a fan of him and not just trying to butter him up. And then I mentioned the fansite: “That’s sonny with a chance dot com, with dashes between the words” before sitting back down.

This was episode 222 “Sonny with a Choice” directed by Eric Dean Seaton. Eric has worked on many SWAC and GLC episodes, and I was excited to finally get to see him in action! It’s also worth noting that this episode is not listed on Eric’s website. I don’t know if this was a last minute substitution for him, or if they just haven’t updated the site yet, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Also, since this was episode #22, and two weeks ago Tiffany Thornton told me there where four left to film this season, that would bring the total number of episodes this season to 25, not 30 as some believed.

Now, I don’t want to give away much on the plot. This is a major episode for the overall season two storyline and it wouldn’t be fair to you all to spoil how it ends. In this episode, So Random and MacKenzie Falls are both nominated for the Tween Choice award for best Tween show, which causes some (additional) friction between the two casts. Frequent readers already know that Chad & Sonny start dating in “Falling for the Falls.” The episode stills and Disney commercials already give that much away. But surprisingly, when the subject of Sonny and chad dating was first mentioned, there was a collective gasp from the audience. I guess they aren’t as well informed as we are. Anyway, there was some serious Channy in this episode.

“Chad is a totally changed person since we started dating” – Sonny.

There was hand holding, Chad had his arm around her a couple times, both their casts knew, they walked the red carpet at an event together, and there was even a quick kiss. Definitely a Channy episode. There where a few “Awww” moments (one of which was cut, unfortunately) and there was one very powerful scene that I really must not discuss further. Let me just say this, I know I’ve been somewhat critical of Demi’s acting skills in the past, but she blew me away last night. To film those intense relationship scenes right after her breakup with Joe? Amazing doesn’t even come close.

At the end of our episode, they filmed a pick up scene for the Christmas special. That episode is a sort of behind the scenes of So Random, with Chad guest hosting SNL style.

Following the last scene, the cast did the curtain call and signed autographs. By this point, it was almost 11PM and the crew was eager to put everything away and clear us all out of there. Sterling had to leave early to catch a flight so I didn’t get a chance to speak with him again. I got Brandon’s autograph but didn’t get a word in as he was talking to the person next to me as he signed my picture. I got maybe five seconds with Demi as she commented on “how white” she was in the picture and I laughed and thanked her. I wanted to get a picture with her, but couldn’t from where I was. Tiff was next, she saw me as was like “Hey, Greg! :D” And I was like “Yeah, I made it! :D” She signed my picture quickly and then had to move on to the next person. Finally, I managed to get over to where Allisyn was to get her autograph. She signed it quickly and I thanked her as they they where pushing us out. I snapped a few pictures of the set, but just like at wizards most of them came out blurry.

And I did win a trivia prize as well. The question was to name a member of MacKenzie falls, other than MacKenzie. A couple people guessed random names, so I stuck my hand up: “Portlyn! Season one, replaced by Chloe in season two.” Needless to say, people where impressed. Ezra took a moment then to mention that I had a fansite to one of the showrunners. I think it was creator Steve Marmel, but I’m not sure.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I’m very glad that I was able to go before the end of the season.

If you have questions about the filming, please visit this thread on the SWAC forum to ask, and read what others have asked. Thanks!

June 5, 2010
Tiffany Thornton, Sterling Knight, and All Star Weekend Benefit Show

Today Tiffany & All Star weekend did a benefit show for Falling Whistles, a campaign for peace in the Congo.

Tiffany preformed two original songs that she’s never sung for an audience before!

“Sure Feels Like Love”

“Texas Girl”

She did an amazing job. <3

I was the only guy there, not counting the dads or crew! But the event wasn’t very well publiced, so there where only about a hundred people total.

I met Tiffany before at the D23 Expo, but this time I was actually able to get a posed photo! 🙂

And amazingly, not only did she remember me, she remembered both my name and my websites! Among other things, I asked her how many SWAC episodes are left to film (four) and congratulated her on her engagement.

Her SWAC co-star Sterling Knight was there too! I got a pic with him and asked him a question on behalf of the girls of the SWAC forum.

Maybe I have a future as a talk show host. LOL

Finally, All Star Weekend preformed – minus lead singer Zach (Or is it Zac? Zack? I dunno)

(More All Star Weekend vids on my YouTube)

All in all, not a bad day!

I’ll be posting a few more pics of Tiff in a couple days. I still gotta sort out all my stuff from the show! 🙂

May 22, 2010
My Suite Life on Deck Filming!

Last week I was fortunate enough to snag stand by tickets for last Friday’s live studio filming for The Suite Life on Deck. I had heard that On Deck was the hardest DC show to get into (not counting Hannah, ’cause that one’s impossible) so I was ecstatic just to have the opportunity!

At the Wizards filming I learned the importance of getting there early. And for On Deck I was determined to get there as early as possible. Me and my Mom got there at one, and we where the first ones there! I was shocked. As it turned out, only five stand by people showed up, and they actually had room for about 15 at last weeks show.

The episode I saw filmed was called “The Ghost and Mr. Martin” and it is part of season three. In this episode, the ship is docked in New Orleans and the cast is dressed in 1800s period costumes for a ball on the deck. London and Bailey are attempting to help Mr. Moseby overcome his fear of preforming in public. Meanwhile, Zach, Cody, and Woody are attempting to find and communicate with the ghost Captain that’s haunting Zach.

The SLOD set is unlike any other I’ve seen. The ship’s sky-deck set filled the entire stage in front of our audience area. All other scenes on other sets where pre-filmed and shown to us on the monitors. Combined with the other supplemental sets, On Deck probably has the largest set of any DC Show.

As a result, we only had two scenes to film, but they where nine and ten page scenes! So there where many takes and resets back to back. There where a variety of other supplemental shots for special effects (as I mentioned before, there is a ghost), and some other special effects involving Woody. From start to finish, it took four and a half hours! By the end it was starting to get a little crazy on set!

“Wow, this is a great take. I don’t even remember the beginning! … We’re all delirious and we want to go home” – Dylan Sprouse

“You’re Not Helping!” – Phill Lewis
“But Cosby impression did?” – Assistant Producer

At 9:25, they wrapped the last supplemental shots and practically threw us all out! Apparently union rules required them to have the audience physically outside the building by 9:30. I tell ya, SAG has a lot weird rules! LOL. Obviously, we didn’t have time for an autograph session, which was a disappointment. I have met Debby before, but I really did want to meet Phill and Brenda, plus ask the cast and crew if they want to do another season or if they’re happy if season three is the end (which it probably will be). Because we wouldn’t have time to get autographs, they gave us these presigned script covers:

I would have loved to meet everyone, but I’m not complaining. I feel very blessed to have been able to go and see the show filmed. I mean, I got to see Debby dance around and lip-sync to Justin Beiber in a period dress! I watched as Brenda and Debby where literally eating the set between takes! And I learned why the director doesn’t take Matthew Timmons (Woody) seriously – “Because you’re covered in gelatin!” 🙂

I learned a couple spoilers as well (highlight to read) => Doc Shaw’s character Marcus Little was written off the show. Also, Cody and Bailey break up. <= Unfortunately, both hose things happened in episodes prior to the one I saw, so they’re only refrenced and that’s all I know about them. Oh, and Debby’s favorite costume was her Naomi Wyoming pop-star outfit, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. 🙂

April 30, 2010
My third Good Luck Charlie filming!

Yes, you heard me right, I went to another Good Luck Charlie filming!

Yesterday (04/09/10) was the filming for episode #124 “Pushing Buttons.”

This show is amazingly well written, and the cast is amazing. In this newest episode, Teddy writes and produces a video about an important day in her life using kids in her drama class – and her mom. Meanwhile, PJ and his Best friend Emmett have girl problems and Gabe wants a new bike.

I almost didn’t get in. The main audience area filled up sooner than expected (eight people came out of literally nowhere ahead of me) but they had some room for a few people in what looked like an overflow area, but was really more of the “lounge” for the family of the cast! Jason Dolley, Micah Williams, and Bradley Perry where hanging out between takes like four feet from where I was sitting. Carmen, the actress who played the Emmit’s girlfriend and her mom where sitting right behind me. I even saw Eric Kramer talking with his wife in the back. It wasn’t an ordinary filming, that’s for sure!

Of course, I made sure to ask the cast members if they had a chance to check out my fansite Good-Luck-Charlie.com and they all said that they had. Even Jason Dolley! 🙂

Simply put, this is an amazing show. I hope you’ve all checked it out. The pilot got an astounding 5.7 million viewers last Sunday, so I’m sure many of you did! And be sure to tune in this Sunday for another new episode! 🙂

April 10, 2010
Pair of Kings Filming

I went to the filming for Disney XD’s new show “Pair of Kings” at the Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood today. As you might remember, I tried to get into the first episode two weeks ago, but didn’t. I had the opportunity to try again today, and I’m very glad I did!

Mitchel Musso and Doc Shaw make a very good team. Mitchel is clearly the “star” and the “lead twin” but that’s to be expected. Although I have to say, Mitchel flubbed a lot of lines. Like, maybe a dozen over the course of the episode. No one else had more than one. LOL

Doc Shaw seemed lake a pretty cool guy. I should have asked him what was happening with “On Deck” but I didn’t. Oops.

His “On Deck” cast mates Cole and Dyan Sprouse showed up to support him, but they stayed off to the side and I didn’t get to talk to them.

I don’t know where Disney finds all these cute new actresses. Eighteen year old Kelsey Chow is absolutely adorable. And judging by her reaction to the photo I asked her to sign, she hasn’t signed too many before. But trust me when I say she’s gonna be a big star in a year or two.

And I just have to say that for a show that’s supposed to be aimed at boys, there sure where a lot of girls there to see Mitchel (and Doc). LOL

I don’t want to give away too much about the plot, but the episode I saw filmed today had to do with surfing, and beach bully. Despite being kings, Brady and Boomer sure seem to have to deal with a lot of commoner issues.

It’s an interesting premise overall, the writing is fresh, and the actors execute it well. I don’t see this show becoming a breakaway hit, but it’s a very solid effort and well worth a watch.

March 25, 2010
Pair of Kings first episode filming

“Pair of Kings” is a new Disney XD original series staring Mitchel Musso and Doc Shaw.

The live audience taping for the first episode was yesterday, March 11th 2010, at the Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood and I was there, well, outside the studio at least.

Normally, they let the ticketed public in according to how soon they get there which is why I made sure to get there three hours early. But this time, there where Disney Execs there who wanted to see how the show played with their “target demographic.” So they cherry picked people from the line that had young boys with them. And of course, they keep the rest of us waiting and don’t tell us what they’re doing until thy’re ready to send us all home.

Dang it.

But you know what? It’s okay. I wanted to tell the cast and crew about Pair-of-Kings.com and I’ll get another chance.

Plus I still had fun in Hollywood.

I poked around a little while at Hollywood & Highland and went back to the Disney Soda Fountain & Studio Store

And I must say, there where a lot of posters for Miley’s “The Last Song”! Here’s another one, I must have seen at least a dozen.

March 12, 2010
Good Luck Charlie Filming

Frequent readers will remember that I went to my first GLC filming last December. At that filming, I got to see the first episode and the one they shot that day, #111 “Kit and Kaboodle.” I decided that wanted to go again towards the end of the season, and I was able to this past Friday (02/12/10)!

Before I went to the filming, I checked my usual sources and I found a high Quality promotional picture of the whole Duncan family!

Friday’s episode was #118, “Butt-Dialing Duncans.” I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that Teddy and PJ get new phones and they get themselves in a little bit of trouble. I learned that Teddy does have a best friend in the series named Ivy. And the mom in this series is hilarious. You’ll see what I mean, eventually. 🙂

Our audience warm up guy, Roger, was a lot of fun. He didn’t do raffle tickets, and instead just handed out candy, signed script covers, and valentines bears. I got a box of candy. 🙂 My mom said afterward that I should have gotten Bridgit to autograph it. I replied that I should have just given it to her. 😉 I met some really awesome people in the audience too. I told them about the site, and if you’re reading this now, well you know who you are. 😉

This episode took a little longer to film than the first one I went to. Leigh Allyn Baker and Eric Allan Kramer (Amy and Bob Duncan) had this one very serious scene, and they just couldn’t stop laughing! One would be okay and the other would laugh, or someone in the audience would, and it was just contagious! We must have wasted 10 minutes – and it’s all on tape. I hope it makes the blooper reel on the eventual DVD. 🙂 There where some other flubs as well, most of them Bridgit’s. But she’s the star, so she can get away with it. 😉

After the episode wrapped, we got to meet the cast and get our autographs. From Eric’s reaction to my cast photo, I think it’s safe to say that I was the first person to ever bring in that particular cast photo. Cool. 🙂 I got the whole family too, well, except the baby. LOL

I also brought two copies of the photo of Bridgit and myself from the wizards taping two weeks ago. I asked her to sign one of them for me, and I gave the other one to her. Seems fair to me. 🙂 Unfortunately, I forgot to ask her if she had a chance to check out the website. But I did write it on the photo, just in case she forgot. 😉 But I did tell all the other cast members about the GLC fansite, so maybe someone will check it out.

And for the record, Bridgit and Jason did till remember me. Although Jason didn’t remember to check out the site. This time I wrote it down for him.

It’ll be a couple more months before the show premiers, and I’m already a big fan! I said before that “my rule is always to see three episodes before I judge a new series” and now, I have. The thing I love most about this series is that it’s a normal family with normal issues that is explored in a very well written way. I hope the naysayers actually watch a few episodes, ’cause I’d like to see this show stick around for a good four or more seasons. 🙂

February 13, 2010
Webmaster Greg on the Wizards Set!

It’s not everyday you achieve a lifelong goal. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an overstatement, but I did fulfill a huge dream of mine when I attended the Wizards of Waverly Place filming on Tuesday (02/02/10) in Hollywood.

Now, if you follow Todd Greenwald on twitter, you would know that tuesday’s episode was huge: “Shooting another episode of Wizard’s today that I know many of you will be happy to see. That’s all I can say about it… Hehe.”

Now, I’m not gonna say anything about what happened in the episode except to say that it involves Wizards vs. Werewolves and that I took a picture with a certain blond that I’m sure you’ll recognize.

The coolest thing was that Bridgit Mendler actually remembered me from the Good Luck Charlie filming! Her GLC co-star Jason Dolley remembered me too. 🙂

Sorry, this was supposed to be about Wizards. I got to meet Selena, Jake, and David. No not David Henrie, David DeLuise.

He’s a really cool guy. Jake was fun to talk with as well. But of course, I was there to see Selena. And not only did I speak with her without making a fool of myself, I got a picture with her…

..and an awesome autograph to frame and hang on the wall. 🙂

(Click here for the photoshoot that picture is from.)

I’m still shocked that they actually let us all play on the sets. The GLC filming kept us all up in the audience area.

But I actually got to walk around the Waverly sub station!

This was by far the coolest thing I’ve ever done. Trumping both my last meeting with Selena and my Ashley Tisdale concert.

But before I wrap up this post, I wanted to make sure you all know about the Save Wizards of Waverly Place movement hosted by Save Disney Shows.

Disney hasn’t yet renewed the series for season four. They’d be crazy not to, but this is the same company that canceled Phil of the Future after only two seasons. We need as many fans as possible to write to Disney and let them know that they need to order a fourth season. Hopefully we can nudge Disney into making the obvious decision before they do something really stupid…

February 4, 2010
More From the set of Good Luck Charlie

As I’m sure you all remember, I was lucky enough to attend a taping of Disney’s new series Good Luck Charlie.

They searched us pretty well to keep cameras out, but that doesn’t stop the cast and crew from taking photos. And now I’m pleased to share several photos from the set that I’ve found online!

This first photo shows the living room of the Holliday residence. The door in the background leads to the “outside” set. And a second door to the right and rear of the photographer leads to the kitchen set.

The toy duck in the next photo comes up a lot. It actually sent the dad (bob) to the hospital in the pilot!

Bridgit has the cutest autograph. 🙂

And she certainly has fun on set.

But when it’s her birthday, I guess it’s warranted. (thank you Twitter!)

And speaking of twitter, here’s one more pic of Bridgit from her twitter.

I don’t think I want to know what was going on there. LOL

December 23, 2009
Greg sees Good Luck Charlie

I know everyone’s talking about those new Miley Cyrus bikini pics, but for me today was all about Bridgit Mendler and Jason Dolley’s new show about Good Luck Charlie. I went to the filming of episode #111 “Kit and Kaboodle” today at the Sunset Bronson Studios in Hollywood California.

I’ve never been to a live filming before, and I have to say it was a lot of fun! The audience was some 140 people (five rows of 38 chairs) with 22 ticketed guests, roughly 70 kids from school groups, and the other 50 where reserved for special guests. Besude me sat two guests of Ryan Newman!

Speaking of Ryan Newman (you might remember her as Young Miley on HM or as Ginger on Zeke and Luther) she has a guest spot in this episode as the love interest of the youngest brother (played by Bradley Perry)

But I’m getting ahead of myself. We where seated in the audience area at about 4:20 pm. Once we where settled in, they started by showing us the first episode of the series, to introduce us to the characters. We learn that the mom is a nurse, and it’s her first day going back to work. Her husband Bob runs an exterminator business (Bob’s Bugs be Gone) and assures her that baby Charlie will be fine. Meanwhile, Teddy is trying to kiss “the hottest guy in school” and keeps getting interrupted.

I was honestly quite impressed. It’s the first show since Lizzie that actually features a normal family (no pop stars or wizards) with normal problems. It’s a refreshing change, with good characters and great pacing.

Next, they brought out the crew and began filming the first of four scenes with the live audience. The rest of the episode (which required sets in other places) had been prerecorded earlier this week – including the scenes with Ryan Newman. We the audience, watched the tape of the previous sections to provide the laughs and then paused to watch each live scene as it was filmed. So despite the fact that it was filmed out of order, we still saw the entire episode in order.

In “Kit and Kaboodle”, the eldest brother (Jason Dolley) takes Charlie to work with him in order to get bigger tips. Teddy (Bridgit Mendler) babysits the neighbor’s cat Kaboodle. And Gabe (Bradley Perry) falls for Ryan Newman’s character but his lies get him in trouble.

Burring the breaks in the filming, our “audience warn up guy” did trivia from the first episode, a name the song type of competition (the first song was the KP Theme song! :)), a spelling competition, and a comedy open mic. Everyone got a raffle ticket for showing up, and everyone that “won” got a bonus raffle ticket. He raffled off five autographed photos, two autographed GLC script covers, and three DVDs.

I won the second item! A signed Sonny with a Chance photo! 😀

Needless to say, I was excited to actually win! I never seem to win anything, so I was shocked when my number was called. They also gave us candy (as if the kids weren’t hyper enough already) and pizza.

After the filming was finished, we where able to get autographs from the cast. 🙂 And I was able to tell Jason Dolley and Bridgit Mendler about my Good Luck Charlie Fansite: Good-Luck-Charlie.com. And I tweeted them too, just in case. 🙂

The mom, played by Leigh Allyn Baker signed on the back of my card. She reminds me a lot of Nicole Sullivan!

Now, my rule is always to see three episodes before I judge a new series, but I can’t wait until April to make up my mind. So I’m gonna go out on a limb and predict that this show is gonna be a hit. I was a little skeptical going in, but after seeing it played out I’m convinced that it will work. And I eagerly await the premiere of the show so I can see more! 🙂

December 4, 2009