So probably not the most inspiring title for a lifestyle blog BUT so much of television is things you don't actually realize. My background is in art but tailored towards scenic design. This is the brilliant mind that oversees and designs what you see on screen. There are a lot of exceptions and special instances but lets just focus on the overall concept of some of our favorite places that visit us in our homes weekly.
Watch Modern Family? Think about the differences between each sibling and their father's house. The Dunphy's house has a total lived in chaotic feel which makes sense given their kids and their father. Chic and modern reflects a home that Gloria moved into and made her own since it was probably Jay's bachelor pad originally.
Sometimes it can be difficult to remember that these people aren't, in fact, real. Not only through the hard work of the actors but through the tireless efforts of the art department the lives of these fictional families seem all the more real because of their surroundings. You know what Central Perk is without anything else to go on, don't you?
So in my continuing effort to educate the public on the hard inner workings of art departments everywhere I present my thoughts and reflections on two new fall shows that are available now via online streaming. (I'm not important enough yet to be given advanced screeners)
Selfie on ABC
To be honest what got me even watching this was 1) it was available online and 2) Karen Gillan. What I did not expect was a witty, modern concept loosely based on My Fair Lady or more like the original text of Pygmalion (Selfie doesn't have any singing).
With pilots not a ton of money is thrown their way since even once a pilot is green lit to actually be made it still hasn't officially been given a time slot or an actual air date. This lower budget 30 minute comedy was slightly evident in the limited sets and even more limited fillers (frames, flowers, etc. the knick knacks that fill our homes). In one of the character's office there is a wall covered in bookshelf looking wallpaper, not actual books. Not 100% sure the thought behind that but again it made the set feel stiff.
Now what one has to think about is the actual meat of the show. Maybe things feel slightly cold and distant because that is what the main character of the show, Eliza, is trying to overcome. She is a narcissist obsessed with social media. She is focused on outside appearances so perhaps the sets are plain so that she is the focus of every scene. We briefly see inside Eliza's apartment and it does a good job reflecting her personality. There is crap everywhere which is not only extremely relevant but written into the script and creates action for the other characters.
From a writing perspective I think this show has a lot of potential and will resonate with a wide range of ages due to its commentary on social media and the younger generation's obsession with being "liked". Give it a go, Selfie premieres on Tuesday Sept. 30 at 8pm on ABC.
Forever on ABC
Being a hour long drama this show innately has a larger budget. More air time = more costs, but it also means more advertisements which bring in revenue. As the title would suggest our main character Dr. Henry Morgan is suffering from a case of immortality, with a twist. I should point out that he is not a vampire, with the way things are going these days it seems important to make note of the fact.
In the pilot we learn that Dr. Morgan is a medical examiner for the City of New York, which in itself is played upon heavily. If one is going through all the trouble to actually shoot in NYC it makes sense to use the natural beauty of the city as an ever present set and background, a la Law & Order. Kudos team.
We also learn at Dr. Morgan has been around for roughly 300 years. So it only makes sense as an adequate reflection of his time on earth that his underground, slightly secret, personal lab be a trap door in the floor of his friend's antique shop. This is also reflected in his office with modern surroundings yet an old, traditional, leather armchair.
We do get brief glimpses of his previous years on earth which present snippets of historical time periods as well as a slightly sepia tone to the images. While the overall feel to the show isn't too dark there isn't a whole lot of bright color going on either on set or in costumes for this show. Lots of dark, "New Yorker" colors which is a very, very stark contrast from the bright costume pieces see in Selfie. Forever has potential even with a lot of similarities to other shows throughout time but check it out for yourself with a 2-part series premiere beginning Monday September 22 at 10pm and continuing on Tuesday September 23 at 10pm on ABC.
I'm sure at this point I've bored you but I do hope that you've learned something. These places that surround our favorite characters don't just appear, a lot of time and thought is put into them. Doesn't your home reflect your personality and your trips and experiences? In a continuing effort to make fiction seem like another facet of reality exceptionally hard working men and women are helping bring these characters to life on screen by giving them a home of their own.
I highly recommend one of my favorite TV sites, www.tvline.com to get more information on new fall shows as well as a handy calendar to see when they all air.
Watch Modern Family? Think about the differences between each sibling and their father's house. The Dunphy's house has a total lived in chaotic feel which makes sense given their kids and their father. Chic and modern reflects a home that Gloria moved into and made her own since it was probably Jay's bachelor pad originally.
Sometimes it can be difficult to remember that these people aren't, in fact, real. Not only through the hard work of the actors but through the tireless efforts of the art department the lives of these fictional families seem all the more real because of their surroundings. You know what Central Perk is without anything else to go on, don't you?
So in my continuing effort to educate the public on the hard inner workings of art departments everywhere I present my thoughts and reflections on two new fall shows that are available now via online streaming. (I'm not important enough yet to be given advanced screeners)
Selfie on ABC
To be honest what got me even watching this was 1) it was available online and 2) Karen Gillan. What I did not expect was a witty, modern concept loosely based on My Fair Lady or more like the original text of Pygmalion (Selfie doesn't have any singing).
With pilots not a ton of money is thrown their way since even once a pilot is green lit to actually be made it still hasn't officially been given a time slot or an actual air date. This lower budget 30 minute comedy was slightly evident in the limited sets and even more limited fillers (frames, flowers, etc. the knick knacks that fill our homes). In one of the character's office there is a wall covered in bookshelf looking wallpaper, not actual books. Not 100% sure the thought behind that but again it made the set feel stiff.
Now what one has to think about is the actual meat of the show. Maybe things feel slightly cold and distant because that is what the main character of the show, Eliza, is trying to overcome. She is a narcissist obsessed with social media. She is focused on outside appearances so perhaps the sets are plain so that she is the focus of every scene. We briefly see inside Eliza's apartment and it does a good job reflecting her personality. There is crap everywhere which is not only extremely relevant but written into the script and creates action for the other characters.
From a writing perspective I think this show has a lot of potential and will resonate with a wide range of ages due to its commentary on social media and the younger generation's obsession with being "liked". Give it a go, Selfie premieres on Tuesday Sept. 30 at 8pm on ABC.
Forever on ABC
Being a hour long drama this show innately has a larger budget. More air time = more costs, but it also means more advertisements which bring in revenue. As the title would suggest our main character Dr. Henry Morgan is suffering from a case of immortality, with a twist. I should point out that he is not a vampire, with the way things are going these days it seems important to make note of the fact.
In the pilot we learn that Dr. Morgan is a medical examiner for the City of New York, which in itself is played upon heavily. If one is going through all the trouble to actually shoot in NYC it makes sense to use the natural beauty of the city as an ever present set and background, a la Law & Order. Kudos team.
We also learn at Dr. Morgan has been around for roughly 300 years. So it only makes sense as an adequate reflection of his time on earth that his underground, slightly secret, personal lab be a trap door in the floor of his friend's antique shop. This is also reflected in his office with modern surroundings yet an old, traditional, leather armchair.
We do get brief glimpses of his previous years on earth which present snippets of historical time periods as well as a slightly sepia tone to the images. While the overall feel to the show isn't too dark there isn't a whole lot of bright color going on either on set or in costumes for this show. Lots of dark, "New Yorker" colors which is a very, very stark contrast from the bright costume pieces see in Selfie. Forever has potential even with a lot of similarities to other shows throughout time but check it out for yourself with a 2-part series premiere beginning Monday September 22 at 10pm and continuing on Tuesday September 23 at 10pm on ABC.
I'm sure at this point I've bored you but I do hope that you've learned something. These places that surround our favorite characters don't just appear, a lot of time and thought is put into them. Doesn't your home reflect your personality and your trips and experiences? In a continuing effort to make fiction seem like another facet of reality exceptionally hard working men and women are helping bring these characters to life on screen by giving them a home of their own.
I highly recommend one of my favorite TV sites, www.tvline.com to get more information on new fall shows as well as a handy calendar to see when they all air.