Filmed in the woods at near freezing temperatures in the morning for a long scene. Before the sun comes up, Vancouver in January is very very cold, by they way. Once we were adequately frozen, we moved inside to the stages to thaw out and finish up the day with an interior scene, mercifully. Finished early so I earned at least one day of gratitude for the crew. I’m sure I’ll spend that goodwill before too long. Tomorrow we’re on location in Storybrooke.
Month: January 2017
Once Upon A Time Shoot Day 4
After a long night on Friday, we started this week on stage with a big scene. “Big” in this case means a lot of actors and extras over a few pages. Then a much smaller one with two people on a fun interior set that looks like an exterior.
Once Upon a Time Shoot Day 3
All day out in the woods by the sea. Not as relaxing as that sounds – we had three complex scenes with stunts and cranes and all sorts of fun stuff. Wrapped well after midnight. Now a weekend to recover and prepare for the next week of various location and studio work.
Once Upon A Time Shoot Day 2
Back on the stages in Vancouver. All day on one set, including visual effects work, special effects work, small stunt, and most of the main cast. Long few scenes but we finished on time. Heading out to a remote location for some day and night exterior work to finish up the first three days of the shoot. Mostly action-type scenes tomorrow so that’ll be fun!
Once Upon A Time Shoot Day 1
First day of production on a new show (for me). Started in the vault, and continued on to two scenes in two different house sets. Worked with most of the main cast throughout the day, most of whom I hadn’t yet met. More stage work tomorrow and then on location Friday.
Storybrooke
We’re five days deep into prep on Once Upon A Time here in Vancouver. It’s been a lot of fun so far.
Sure there’s been the usual meetings, casting sessions, driving around looking at possible locations (including seeing about a hundred bald eagles at one location).
Because this show has so many fantastical elements, it requires a lot of conceptual art and artistic renderings of props, wardrobe, sets, and visual effects. It’s the first show I’ve worked on where I’ve gotten to work with a storyboard artist to visualize a few action and VFX sequences. So that’s been fun – and fun to work with this team that’s been doing it for six years.
Two more days of prep and then we start shooting. Here is another photo of Vancouver because why not.
Once Upon a Time
Just arrived in Vancouver to start directing Once Upon a Time.
This is the shortest turnaround I’ve had between shows, just three days. Thankfully this show is six seasons deep and everyone knows what they’re doing so it’s only me who has to get up to speed.
Periodic updates to come!
NCIS: New Orleans Shoot Day 8
Final days are bittersweet on these shows. Just finished my final day – all day on stage with a built set, and one scene with (almost) our entire cast. We even re-shot one shot from the day before that turned out to be too dark to get. The crack production team and crew splintered off a micro unit that I took out and directed to look like the location from the day before. It was really great.
Then we wrapped and was able to thank everyone with whom I’ve spent what seems like two months. Another great crew and cast I was lucky enough to get a chance to direct in a great city. Man it was fun.
And back to LA for a couple days before the next one starts.
NCIS: New Orleans Shoot Day 7
Final day on our remote location. Very intense day that had about a hundred extras, all of our cast, and – for the first time for me – a drone. We barely finished everything before we ran out of light. But it was great – a ton of exciting and interesting stuff all day. Back to the stages in New Orleans for my final day.
NCIS: New Orleans Shoot Day 6
Second day at our remote location. Lots of fun – had some stunt drivers and lots of extras and big scenes. Still on location for one more day then back to New Orleans for the final stretch.
Sharat Raju 