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. 🙂
