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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Not actually part of the set, but in a real gift shop on the street where we film Storybrooke exteriors.
We’re five days deep into prep on Once Upon A Time here in Vancouver. It’s been a lot of fun so far.
Canada has bald eagles too, everybody.
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.
One of our locations on the tech scout. It won’t look like this when we’re shooting because it’ll be at night. And with fewer people wearing modern day clothing.
Slightly blurry shot of bald eagle in a tree. Mind you, my episode has nothing to do with bald eagles, I swear.
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!
