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It's time to bring some McCheerfulness to the board!
Anyone want to hear about my day yesterday on the Grey's Anatomy set?
I'll do it in chunks as I want to make sure I tell you all the information that I'm allowed to share 
So last weekend my brother and I went shopping for new outfits to wear to the show. We wanted to look great, but not too dressy (you know, like we weren't trying too hard even though DUH! of course we were)! I picked a cute top from English Laundry, new jeans, and some sparkly silver flats from Nordstrom Rack. My brother picked up a button down from Nordstrom Rack and a great pair of burgundy shoes from Nordstrom (more on those shoes later).
I emailed my student's mother the names on our driver's licenses so we could get through the security gate.
Yesterday morning I was so nervous. I have no idea why. I just wanted to act like myself, but not knowing exactly what the morning would be like made me a little on edge.
We were supposed to get there a little bit before 10 as that was when they were filming a neat scene. We left at 8 because Los Angeles traffic can be horrid and we didn't want to miss our big chance. The mom said that if we got there and the red light was flashing outside that we couldn't go in, and we didn't want to miss our chance!
Luckily traffic was fabulous because of all the kiddies out on winter break, so we got there in less than an hour. We didn't want to walk in over an hour early, so we sat in the car until about 9:30, then checked in to security.
They took our licenses to make copies, printed our entry passes, and showed us where to park.
More to come a little later....
Re: It's time to bring some McCheerfulness to the board!
Sounds like you had fun! I'm glad you got there on time with out any problems!
You are a tease though... cut it off just as you are ready to go in lol
#1-BFP 08-22-09 ~ M/C 08-31-09 at 5 weeks 6 days
#2-BFP 08-6-11 ~ Due 04/18 ~ born via c-section April 22, 2012
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Haha, it's like reading a book and not wanting to put it down because you want to know whats next! Can't wait to hear the rest.
William born 7/12/2000
Andrew born 10/30/2011 (9lb 4oz at 37 weeks)
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You are a big 'ole tease!
Sounds liek you had a cute outfit though... can't wait to hear the rest!
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I was instructed to call my contact as soon as we parked. It rang a couple of times but then I thought we were disconnected. Upon listening more closely, it was him stating that they were rolling film, but he was sending someone in a golf cart to pick us up.
We started walking towards the buildings and saw that they also film General Hospital there. I flagged down the dude driving the golf cart, a friendly fellow, and Brian & I hopped onto the back seat together.
As we drove up to the set I saw a man playing with a boy ? Justin Chambers aka Alex Karev?EEEEKKKK!
Walking in the doors there was so much going on at once! My student?s father met us right away to say hello and welcome us to the set. They were rehearsing for a scene, so we had a minute to see where the restrooms, coffee/tea/drink station, and snack areas were set up. Funny sign by the coffee ? Coffee: Makes people do stupid things faster!
There were cords everywhere. The sound stage is really tall, so the ceilings were all set up so that the sound and lighting guys (who basically lived on ladders all day long) could adjust for each scene.
We walked through a room set up as a patient room and were pointed in the direction of two directors chairs for us to take a seat in. We were introduced to the director, show?s writer, and a couple other assistants who prepared scenes, took notes for editing later, etc. We sat right behind the director the entire time they were filming, so we could see the live action and the part being shot by the camera. I felt totally official because they gave us headsets so we could hear everything coming from all of the actors? mics. As soon as I look up, I see April, Jackson, and Dr. Hunt!!!
In order to understand the context of what was taking place, We also received copies of the script. Sorry, but I?m not going to give away any spoilers?but it did make me squeal to my brother! It listed the names of the actors who were there for the day, what time they were needed, what time they were ready in their trailer, names of all other staff working for the day, and any props necessary (we laughed b/c it listed 10 of a certain item for Dr. Hunt to crush during a scene?10 just because they didn?t know how many times they would need to tape the scene).
There were makeup artists and stylists sitting behind us the entire time, waiting to be called for touchups. They played bejeweled/elf yourself/insert fun app or website here as my face was glued to the scene unfolding before my eyes.
Then we hear, ?Set,? and the assistant hit the clapper. It got really quiet. ?Background,? and the extras started doing their work on the scene. Then those famous words from the director, ?ACTION!?
William born 7/12/2000
Andrew born 10/30/2011 (9lb 4oz at 37 weeks)
#1-BFP 08-22-09 ~ M/C 08-31-09 at 5 weeks 6 days
#2-BFP 08-6-11 ~ Due 04/18 ~ born via c-section April 22, 2012
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I agree!
What an awesome opportunity! I'm so jealous you were able to be on set!
It takes several times to tape a scene for the show. First the stand-ins come in so they can place all of the actors in the right spots and they adjust the camera angles. As each actor?s spot is selected, different colored masking tape is placed on the floor for them. Then the real actors come in for a rehearsal. If the actor isn?t gelling with their lines, they may have some discussion with the writer for the show. After rehearsals are over (which are taped), then they go for the real thing.
Each scene is taped several times as I mentioned. They do their lines a few times through, then they adjust the cameras on another main actor in the scene. Then they tape again. They move the camera again and repeat the process until each actor?s facial expressions are taped multiple times. Each time they take a shot there is a close up, along with another one further away.
I loved watching the director?s reaction when the characters would give their signature ?looks.? You know? those, ?You didn?t just say that, did you?? kind of looks.
When we got there they were finishing up a scene with Karev, Hunt, Avery, and Kepner. As soon as Karev was done and they were preparing to tape the real thing, he came to take a little rest in one of the beds we were sitting in. He didn?t say anything to any of us, but I certainly wasn?t expecting anything from anyone.
As they prepared the scene, our friend took us on our first of several tours of the day. We went into one of the operating rooms, all of which are filled with tons of different medical equipment. All of the walls move in order for the cameras to get the right shot.
We went back to our seats so our friend could adjust everyone in the scene, and they taped it. There waiting on our chairs for us was some great swag! We both received travel mugs filled with a pen and heart shaped stress ball. You know, like when you donate blood. Very nice of them.
They finished the scene and in walked Sandra Oh and Ellen Pompeo. They needed to go over lines with the writer, so we were stolen away for another quick tour. Someone needed something from our friend, and as we were standing there Sandra Oh casually passed by Brian and said, ?Hey those are great shoes!? We looked at each other and mouthed, ?Oh my gosh!!!!!? Sandra is pretty quiet and reserved around other people as we observed while we were on set, so I think it?s pretty amazing that she said anything to Brian ? but if you knew my brother, you would know that out of anyone he would definitely get her attention!
My friend was ready to go and said we needed to stop in a patient room really quick. Inside was Dr. Avery and Dr. Kepner! Oh my heck, Avery?s eyes were b-e-a-utiful, along with the rest of him. Hot doesn?t even begin to describe it. Kepner was just as cute and sweet as can be. She had such a cute little pregnant belly, but I wasn?t sure if it was part of the show?you know?virgin doctor gets pregnant! She brought up how excited she was that her family was coming out for the holidays since she was too pregnant to travel, so there was the answer! I knew that Avery was a teacher, so we talked teaching for a minute too.
Then walks in Dr. Hunt aka McArmy! As he shakes my hand he realizes that I am the person who sent him a thank you iMovie video since he and McDreamy sent that amazing video to me a couple months ago. Instead of shaking my hand, he went in for a hug instead! I was in my element with the cast, as if I was meant to be there all the time. Really, I wouldn?t mind. They don?t even need to pay me, really J
The director came and found us, saying he didn?t want to sit around, so we walked upstairs to see the gallery of the operating room, along with some of the upstairs offices. We saw the wardrobe room (oh my, I would kill for that job! The girls go shopping every day?for NICE clothes and accessories). My brother was happy to see that both he and McDreamy both wear John Varvatos clothes.
We also walked into a couple editing rooms, where we saw them deciding which edits looked best with surgeries, etc. If you watch, look in the future for a neat coin flip! Look carefully though!
It was time to go back for more taping, so we went back to our seats. McArmy came to hang where we were all sitting and shared with the writer about some of his holiday plans.
The assistant in front of me was the sweetest thing ever. She has been on the show as a paramedic and she kept singing a Taylor Swift song. When people asked as they walked by she said she couldn?t get it out of her head since Swift?s sister (me) was sitting right behind her. Cute.
As all of the heavy hitters were getting into place (including the Dreamy one!), someone came nearby and my singing buddy in front of me asked if we could take a photo ? I was told no photos upon entering the building, so I wasn?t going to be the one asking? and she said yes! What a beauty, and so sweet!
I asked about her daughter, Stella Luna. She said she?s so yummy and can?t wait to spend the afternoon with her. I asked if she had read the story Stellaluna to her yet, and she said she was given about 30 copies and she had no idea that it was the title of a book before deciding on the name.
Next it was time for lunch. Our friend walked us over to the set of Meredith?s house, Derek?s trailer, and Joe?s bar. Great photo opps there.
See the post it note?
My student?s mother said that we would be watching taping in the morning, and that the dad would give us a tour during our lunch and we would leave afterward. However, he must have been impressed by all of the little tidbits we were spitting out left and right as we walked through sets (and by our cuteness, of course), that he invited us to STAY!!!!!
We walked to the car and freaked out for a while before going back to the set?
Too much to handle. Must leave thread.
How exciting!
the wedding | the blog
You'd better tune in later...it gets BETTER!!!
I agree!
There?s plenty of evidence in the lot that the show is taped there, from ambulances to a few cars that were crashed for the show. One of the cars has been lifted vertically and decorated with xmas lights. Happy holidays, right? Each actor has their own parking spot by their trailers.
We go back in and I grab a hot tea for myself. Kim Raver (Teddy) has just dropped off tons of treats, sweets, and that liquid that makes people do stupid things faster. I get the feeling that people treat each other with kindness around here all the time, which is great to see.
Now we?re sitting in the lobby of the hospital right under the stairs where the major announcements on the show are made. They are filming an OR scene next door. We get to sneak into the OR as everyone is learning their places and rehearsing their lines. We sit down in our chairs. The director is still nice and chatty. We talk about whether or not he watches television when he gets home, and he talks sports with my brother. Taping begins. The medical staff makes sure that things are going by the book. We?re whisked away again, this time down another hall to see the orthopedics room. There is some scary stuff in there. It looked so real! Heads, skin, and body parts were everywhere, freckles, dirty fingernails, and arm hair included. One head had a pencil through it ? yuck! We?re told about the prosthetic that was used for the episode where the hiker got the ax to the head b/c his friends were trying to put him out of his misery (love, right?). It?s upstairs in the director?s office in a place of honor. We meet more staff and they are all super nice.
Time to go watch more filming. I almost break my chair and make it collapse as I sit down, so I end up standing for about the next 2 hours?I didn?t need to get us kicked out of there! As they reset the cameras throughout the scene it?s like a parade. The actors get ushered out so their double can place their shot. The extras exit through the lobby, then come back again to their places. It seems as if everyone is working, everyone knows what to do, but no one needs to tell them when or what they need. Sounds like a well oiled machine to me.
The director takes a break and walks us up to his office to see said head with ax. It?s sitting in a box. He says that the prop guy, James, once had makeup dress him up like that and they placed him in the box in the office. Talk about a joke!
We get back downstairs and the director, Rob, asks if we?ve had our picture taken with Kevin McKidd yet (owen). We say no, and he jumps out of his chair to go grab him out of the holding room. Talk about a nice guy. Kevin has a great Scottish accent if you don?t know his origins.
The scene is over and we?re on the move again? this time to the elevators? you know that this is where a ton of action takes place, right?
BTW - here's some of the swag we received!
Okay... you have my dying to be able to watch the next season of Grey's now! lol
Definitely an amazing experience!!
#1-BFP 08-22-09 ~ M/C 08-31-09 at 5 weeks 6 days
#2-BFP 08-6-11 ~ Due 04/18 ~ born via c-section April 22, 2012
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So I've unleashed the rest of the juicy news on FB if you're on
Let's just say that before shooting one of the main scenes of the day, the director came over and asked us a question...
The more you wrote the more I started to think that you were going to be part of the show somewhere!... eeeek I'm so happy for you, now it'll just give me another excuse to watch Grey's next season!! lol
#1-BFP 08-22-09 ~ M/C 08-31-09 at 5 weeks 6 days
#2-BFP 08-6-11 ~ Due 04/18 ~ born via c-section April 22, 2012
My Blog
#1-BFP 08-22-09 ~ M/C 08-31-09 at 5 weeks 6 days
#2-BFP 08-6-11 ~ Due 04/18 ~ born via c-section April 22, 2012
My Blog