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File Catalog |
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2003 Pittsburgh location report-2
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| 07-Jan-11, 1:28 AM |
The Guardian in Pittsburgh report, August 2003
Day 1
Wednesday dawned sunny, warm and humid, and we were on the road by 6:30, determined to find The Guardian. We headed to Donora, surmised to be the destination for that day. While following the map we soon realized that there were handwritten "Guard" signs posted along the route, pointing the way to Simon, just like following the yellow brick road.
Donora is picturesque, nestled in a valley along the banks of the Monongahela River. The police directed us where to park. We, the Angels, headed up the hill, and caught our first glimpse of cast, crew and SIMON. As spectators were kept about a football field's length from the action, binoculars were passed around. There was a flurry of activity, and newspaper reporters were there interviewing locals, TGAs, cast and crew. David Hollander stopped over to say hello to us, and we also had visits from our friend from the costume department (who dubbed us "The Wallflowers" last year) and an assistant to one of the producers. Nestled in our shady spot, we watched it all, with big grins plastered on our faces.
We were joined there in the shade by the Unit Production Manager. He was in charge of the logistics of the shoot. He informed the Angels that the cameras and other equipment were shipped from LA, and that the camera, make-up, costume, and production staff all were from LA. Over 20 people had made the trip to Pittsburgh. He also told us that they only bring the backs for the director's chairs, but rent the chairs locally.
The scene being shot was from the second episode, Big Coal. M. Emmet Walsh was guest starring in the role of Ezra. He was funny and friendly and visited with the spectators between takes. He posed for pictures and passed out copies of his credits. In the scene, he yells at Nick, and there appeared to be some angst involved. In the second scene with Walsh, Nick breaks up a fight between Sadie (the new lawyer at F&F played by Gina Torres) and Ezra. Ezra is trying to beat Sadie with his cane, and Nick jumps right into the fray. Whew!! (Dialogue could not be heard, but watching the action is fascinating and informative in its own way.)
The crew had laid down track for the camera, and it was amazing to realize that one of the crew pushes the camera along the track. His steps must be smooth and evenly paced. The camera dolly must be very heavy, because the crew really got a work out pushing the camera along the track. There was a cart filled with blocks of wood, all shapes and sizes. These were used to level and shim the camera and other equipment. Fascinating!
After lunch, the set was moved to a nearby street, where a scene was shot of Nick and Sadie visiting homeowners. While Simon was waiting for "Action" to be called, he saw a little boy of about 5 playing ball, and he joined him in his game. Simon kicked the football to him. He also directed him to hide behind the bushes so he could not be seen in the shot.
It was about 90 degrees and humid, and the neighborhood ice-cream truck pulled up to the crowd of spectators. He was doing a booming business, and then his luck improved. The crew from TG saw him there and called him up to the set. Cast and crew alike swarmed the truck. We Angels decided to walk up the hill to get a cold treat also, and behind us in line was Simon. One of the crew members had told him he had to come and look at the pictures on the side of the truck and pick his own. (He had a Drumstick.) He recognized the Angels from last year, and chatted with us while the ice-cream was enjoyed in the shade of some huge trees. Incredible!!
After this shot was finished, the crew moved to beneath the bridge over the Monongahela River. While not allowed down under the bridge, spectators were permitted to watch from the bridge. So, from 100 feet overhead, we watched the action below. On the bridge, there were other fans as well, including a charming senior citizen. She was unabashedly taken with Simon, and could not say enough about his looks and talent. She was an avid viewer of The Guardian, and delighted everyone with her comments.
Day 2
Thursday was just as hot and humid as the day before. We were up early again and walked to PPG Place, arriving about 6:30am. The cast and crew began to arrive and set up. Simon arrived in cords and a shirt, wearing thong sandals. Joan Tewkesbury was directing the scenes and spent time checking things over and rehearsing with the actors. She moseyed over to chat with us, and marveled at our endurance. She even decided to include the TGAs as extras in the scene. When "Action" was called, we followed our cues and pantomimed having a morning discussion at the table. The scenes shot here were for episode 3, The Line.
PPG Place is the center plaza of the PPG complex of six mirrored buildings that make up an office and shopping complex. Tables, chairs and planters are scattered about, with an obelisk monument and fountain commanding center stage. Daycare groups, families and children all frolicked in the water. Simon, in his "Nick" attire, expressed the wish that he would certainly like to join them.
The cast and crew then moved to Grant Street, where the City and County Building, the Courthouse and the Frick Building (F&F) are located. There was a scene shot in front of the Courthouse with guest star Michael Tighe (playing Jim Gray). There was also a scene shot at the front doors of the Frick Building, again with Michael Tighe. Dabney Coleman arrived and a scene with Nick and Burton was shot at the Frick Building, this time at the entrance on the north side of the building. Cast and crew then picked up, wheeled, carried and toted all the paraphernalia to the south side of the building. It was there that Henry Gibson (playing Phil Hostetler) and Simon shot a scene. Henry is in episode 302, Big Coal, and plays the owner of a coal company. We had fun discussing Henry's stature, and how well it played against Nick.
There were quite a few spectators watching these scenes being shot. One lady thought she might try to convince her husband that watching TG being filmed was the perfect way to spend a wedding anniversary. And I overheard a woman call her daughter on her cell phone and say, "You'll NEVER guess what I'm doing... Yes, he's right here. I'm looking at him... How fast can you get here?"
As we watched the fictional drama taking place at the Frick Building, a real drama was taking place in the parking lot across the street. A toddler had stopped breathing and the mother was hysterical. The paramedic on-site for The Guardian shoot rushed to her aid. We learned later that the baby was fine.
After freshening up, the Angels regrouped in the lobby for a drink. Henry Gibson walked by and we told him how delighted we had been to see him working on TG that day. He stopped and chatted, charming and sweet. It was such a delightful encounter.
Day 3
Friday dawned as hot and humid as the previous days, but, like the mailmen, the TGAs could not be swayed from their goal. Filming on this day was on Liberty Avenue, at the Nite Lite Hotel, a seedy establishment. Nick had two scenes with Michael Tighe from the fourth episode, The Father-Daughter Dance. David Hollander again stopped by to chat, and told us we did not have to stand so far away to watch. We stayed put because the line of sight was better where we were, but when the second scene took the action around the corner, we did indeed move closer to the action. Simon noticed the Angels, and mentioned that we seemed to be keeping up with the pace of shooting an hour TV drama.
From there, cast, crew and The Guardian Angels moved to the Legal Services of Pittsburgh building. A plaque had been hung beside the door indicating that LSP was on the second floor. Also, the front of the windows and awnings had been distressed. There was scaffolding and plastic hung adjacent to the LSP window front, with yellow caution tape strung around. All of this was the work of the TG crew, put there to hide the businesses really housed in the building. Very clever.
Simon shot a scene with Michael Tighe in front of LSP and another scene across the street with Lulu's father. We sat on the curb, feet in the gutter, to watch the scenes being shot. In between takes, to our delight and amazement, Simon joined us on the curb. One of the ladies from wardrobe made him sit on a paper bag to keep the seat of his pants clean. He asked how we were enjoying watching it all. He wondered if it was boring watching the same scene shot again and again, from far away, for lighting and sound, for close-ups. We all assured him, "Not at all."
Day 4
On Saturday, the weather changed. A Canadian cold front had come to town, and the temperature was in the 70s, and the humidity was GONE. It was beautiful. The first scene shot was on the North Side, in the Mexican War district. It is a neighborhood of beautiful rowhomes that have been reclaimed. There are brick sidewalks, and trees line both sides of the streets. It is just very pretty. And this is where Jake lives.
We stood in front of a storefront to watch, which was being turned into some type of office. In the front display window was a kitten. The antics of the kitten kept us as entertained as the sights and sounds of The Guardian cast and crew. Simon's face softened to a sweet smile, and an "Aww!" escaped his lips when he also noticed the kitten's frolics. Meanwhile, Stella (Simon’s daughter) met a little girl from the neighborhood. The two of them enjoyed each other's company while TG was filming on her street.
Watching on this tree-lined street was just so pleasurable, so intimate, so charming. As it is supposed to be autumn, the attention to detail included the bringing in of bags of fall leaves, which were then emptied and spread across the road. Watch and listen as the Nickmobile crunches on these leaves. They also wanted upscale cars parked on the road and made sure they were facing the right direction. They also had branches cut from a maple tree, which they clamped to the equipment so that they would get just the right leaf shadows.
Raphael arrived, in corduroy slacks and a tight t-shirt touting the "Pocono Mts". We laughed out loud when one of the sound techs used Nick's line to Josh (The Next Life), "Do you have a sweater or shirt?"
In the scene, Nick drives up, parks (the wrong way) and bangs on Jake's door. Jake opens the door in stocking feet, hitching up his pants, and Nick and Jake argue. Nick angst. In the next scene, Nick again drives up to Jake's, but this time finds no one home. It looks to be a very interesting storyline.
TG then moved to the Rock Jungle at Station Square. It was impossible to watch the filming process here, so we sat outside and just reveled in the week that was. After quite a while, Simon came by on his way to a costume change. As he passed by he asked if we were holding vigil? On his way back to the set, he stopped and chatted. He and Stella were anxious to return home to Mom and his boys.
Watching the cast and crew, not only Simon, but all of them, brings the realization that making a TV drama is HARD work. Simon, in particular, but also Dabney and Henry, spent hours in wool suits in hot humid 90-degree weather. They must repeat the same scene numerous times, for long shots, for close-ups, for sound, for lighting. The days are long, 14 hours at the least. Yet they all worked with smiles on their faces, and they all seemed to be having a good time. This is quality television and it shows.
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| Category: Close Encounters | Added by: Fran
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