Young Adult TV Show

For YA is still around. I know it’s been a while since the latest blog post, but things have been truckin’ along. Let’s make a funtastic list that concludes in the first screengrab from the rough cut of the show!

1) We filmed the added minute-long scene featuring Roberto Carmona, J. W. Crump, and Susannah Wells. Our lovely extras from the day included Raven Bonniwell, Erin Cunnane, Syeita Lowery, Michael Marcan, and Steve Petersen. Our editor now has it in his hands to add to the show.

2) Our Opening Credits Editor, Cameron King, sent us the rough cut of the opening credits. Long story short, I squealed a little. You can see more of Cameron’s work on The Video Makers.

3) We’re currently researching venues for a late April screening. We will post details here (and everywhere I can humanly post) as soon as we know them for sure.

4) We’ve officially selected the songs to be featured in the show. Look out for a blog post detailing all of the bands.

5) Check out the bonus screen shot from the episode!

What's with the sock? Find out soon!

Last night Ishu and I had the pleasure of filming many of the cast and crew as they did behind-the-scenes interviews. Ian Rushing (DP), Sarah Haas (Sound Asst.), Ryan Gillis (Props), Anastasia Wilson (’Maya’), Lauren Abramson (’Vikki’), Matt Melnicoff (’Murphy’), and Sweta Mehta (Asst. Director), as well as Ishu and me all shot interviews with the aid of Ishu’s Video Production Class at the Arlington Career Center.

Matt and J. W. with fake shopping carts

Afterward, Matt, Lauren, and me grabbed the Flip Cam and had some fun. Check out the video below:

Young Adult is so close to completion that I can nearly taste it! We’re adding one short scene to the show, and we need some awesome extras.

The shoot is from 9AM – 1PM or 2PM at a location next to Metro Center Station (exact location given upon acceptance) on February 20th, 2010. You may not be needed for the entire shoot.

Dress is business casual. You will provide your own outfit, and only one look will be needed.

This is a non-paid gig, but the spec TV pilot has been featured in some great news outlets and will be submitted to the NY TV Film Fest as well as many others. A local screening will also be held in about two months’ time.

If interested, please email crump.jw at gmail dot com with headshot and resume if available. We look forward to meeting some talented people!

Look how happy they are!

During one scene of Young Adult, the boys watch a show within our show. We needed some people to play the voices of the characters of that show, so I called in some of my all-stars.

Susannah Wells

Susannah Wells and I have worked on several projects together, including at least one other TV pilot. Her big, expressive eyes and fiery red hair make her a favorite actress to work with. You can catch her in a short film by Ishu Krishna debuting soon where she plays a government agent as well as in the cast of Work Place from Director Nick Gay.

Ryan Gillis

Ryan Gillis and I have performed live together as improv artists in Slow News Day during last year’s Fringe Fest. This is when I discovered Ryan’s natural comedic timing as well as his willingness to do anything to help a project. He also did Props for YA as well as appearing briefly as an extra.

Derek Jones

Derek Jones recently returned to acting after many years in hiatus. I’ve never met anyone with such an outstanding mix of sardonic and goofy humor. He will be joining Susannah and I in Work Place and Stacy Wilson and Lauren Abramson in the sketch troupe Won’t Play in Periora.

Michelle Murad

Michelle Murad and I have been in at least four projects together (we counted the last time we saw each other at an audition!) including one where I smothered her with a pillow. She has extensive credits on IMDB as well as a gift for learning new things quickly. I’m thrilled to include her in the YA family.

Mike Blejer

Mike Blejer and I have met on the set of a short film where we shared two scenes together. Since then we’ve been on different projects, but are reuniting as I direct the web series pilot of his popular standup routine, Symbology. I snagged him to provide some voice work for the show before he gets too big for me to afford him.

Let’s talk about the latest from the cast and crew of Young Adult!

We are close to achieving picture lock and we have reviewed the rough cut of the project. The rough cut is basically a version of the episode that an editor puts together for people to view and comment on. Often, as with ours, the rough cut hasn’t yet had color correction and other fine details completed.

We have sent music details to our composer Rob Neary, who works out of London. He is putting together a variety of original music to amp up the show. We are also signing paperwork with the local DC bands and artists that we will be using for additional background jams. We’ll make sure to write up a special blog post about them once all those ducks are in a row.

We’re adding one small scene (it’s pretty hilarious and helps tie up the plot) which we are filming on February 20th. Roberto Carmona, Susannah Wells, and myself will be reprising our roles from previous scenes. The plan is to shoot that in the morning and then some b-roll during early afternoon.

More of these two jack-offs

Tomorrow we’re recording some new VO lines with actors Susannah Wells, Ryan Gillis, Michelle Murad, Derek Jones, and Mike Blejer. It’s a great excuse for me to hang out with five of my favorite actors. We’d also like to welcome our post-production sound guy, Drew Kennedy, to the team.

And speaking of new team members (wow, this post is getting long), we’d also like to welcome Cameron King who will be editing our opening credits and has already started work. You can see some of Cam’s work on the web series The Video Makers.

As a bonus, check out the original oil painting that Susannah did for Scott Chism, who bid on it at the YA fundraising party. He described colors, themes, and ideas he had, and she created her interpretation of his thoughts on canvas. These pictures come courtesy of Gabriel Mellan.

Full size

On the wall!

Ishu and I met Lauren an as actor in another spec TV pilot filmed in DC.  We all quickly took to one another, and we were very happy to offer her the role of “Vikki” in Young Adult.  She has an uncanny ability to make a mundane line into a hilarious one.   I sat down with Lauren to ask her some questions about YA and herself.

Super Professional Lauren Abramson

1) What was it like being in an on-screen couple?

There is always the fear that an-on screen couple scene would seem contrived or inauthentic, however in some respects I thought it was one of the easier scenes to shoot. Mike Morsey (Abe) and I established a good rapport in the little time we had to get to know each other behind-the-scenes. This was invaluable to the on-screen chemistry between our two characters. Moreover, I found it easier to employ method acting. I simply thought to myself, if Mike were my boyfriend, how would we touch, joke, look at each other, etc? It was easier for me to attach concrete emotions/actions to dating someone than say, “think of a time when you were happy/sad/insert emotion here.” … It also helped that we didn’t have to recreate Halle Berry-Billy Bob Thornton Monster’s Ball scene. We would at least had to have had coffee before that.

Vikki and Abe (Mike Morsey)

2) Did you feel a comradeship with the cast and crew?

Absolutely. I feel very fortunate to have met the YA people on both a professional and platonic level. They are all extremely talented. While some are in “the biz” and some are not, we share the common bond of love of performing and producing a product you would willingly show friends. This is a quality I respect tremendously. Not a single person on the cast or crew has failed to make me laugh. I look forward to (and am currently) working with several on new projects.

3) Do you have a favorite moment from the process to share?

By Take 13 of this particular scene we were shooting hearing the words, “oh no, I left the focus off. We have to do it again.”

Lauren enjoying craft services on her first production day

4) How much are you like the character you play?

Actually, when I first read Vikki’s character description I thought “hmmm this sounds strikingly similar to me.” (don’t let that statement diminish your opinion of my method acting). We are both very down to earth, dedicated girlfriends. I think we are both equally as fond of the moving-in process.

5) What’s one of the biggest ‘acting tips’ you learned while doing YA?

Short shorts are even shorter on screen.

The shorts Lauren changed into after the shorter shorts were deemed too short

I met Matt Melnicoff while filming my 2009 DC 48 Hour Film Project with Ishu.  He aptly helped as a writer and crew member.  As I was finalizing the character descriptions for Young Adult, I remembered Matt and really wanted him to play the part of Murphy.  It’s always scary to put a first-time actor into a lead role, but fortunately for me, Matt’s a rockstar.  He answered a few questions for me.

Promotional shot as 'Murphy'

1) What was your favorite part about acting on-camera for the first time?

It was a pretty bizarre feeling, but it was a lot of fun. At the start of each take there is a little moment of focus and adrenaline that I could really see how actors/actresses get addicted to. When you have a good take, it is an awesome feeling.

2) Was anything on set not what you expected?

I was actually surprised at how many people it takes behind the scenes to pull something like this off. It is a quite a planning and logistics feat. Also, I was happy with how well we ate!

Ishu, Matt, and Nick on Matt's first shoot day

3) Do you have a favorite moment to share?

I think the first day of shooting when we were in front of the National Zoo was pretty awesome. It was my first time ever acting and I got to do it guerrilla-style on a crowded public street…trial by fire! The last day in Clarendon was pretty fun too…everyone freezing their butts of while we ate Wendy’s burgers on the sidewalk. Also, this probably doesn’t qualify as a moment, but I had a great time getting to know an entirely new group of really great people.

Chowing down on some Wendy's

4) How much are you like the character you play?

I think Murphy and I would get along really well. We are both pretty laid back and have a similar sense of humor. Plus, we like hanging out with friends and enjoying some beers. If it came to politics, I think Murphy has much stronger convictions than I do.

5) What’s one of the biggest ‘acting tips’ you learned?

To try and understand the mindset of your character and become that person. Don’t fall into the trap of playing the character as you would act, play it as your character would. For me I got lucky because playing Murphy wasn’t too much of a stretch.

Matt, J. W., Lisa, and Ishu at the YA Party

While the pilot episode is in the first stages of post-production, I thought it’d be nice to interview a few more cast and crew members so everyone can learn a little more about them.

Ishu and I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa Denny on several projects, including at least one other television pilot.  She has a strong background in production as well as a ton of on-set professionalism.   I sat down with our Associate Producer to learn her take on TV.

What was one of your favorite TV shows growing up?

I definitely watched a lot of TV growing up and was a big fan of most of the family sitcoms that seemed to be so popular at the time.  I guess my favorites were Full House (I hate to admit it, but I definitely never missed an episode), Roseanne, and The Cosby Show.

Lisa on the first shoot day for YA

What’s one of your favorite TV shows now?

I love The Office and really the entire Thursday night lineup.  I also recently got into LOST and a show new this year called Flashforward.

Do you have any ‘guilty pleasure’ shows that you watch?

Oh definitely; way too many to list.  I get sucked into a lot of the reality TV shows around.  Shows like Amazing Race and Top Chef.  I know it’s not quality TV or anything but you have to appreciate it for what it is…which is extremely addictive.

Lisa on the final shoot day

What do you think makes a great TV show stand out from the others?

I think the general plot should have a unique angle to make it stand out.  Another key to success is good writing because that’s where a lot of the new shows I watch lose me.  I’m intrigued by the plot but once I hear a lot of bad dialogue I’ll turn it off pretty quickly.

Have you ever been compared to any actor or character on TV?

I can’t think of any character I’ve been compared to but I remember really wanting to be Angela on My So Called Life.  I tried dying my hair the same color she did…that didn’t work out so well for me though!

I can sorta-kinda see it!

Hope your holiday was as good as mine was!  Things are a little quieter for Indigo Line Productions during the start of post-production but soon we will have lots of news, clips, and interviews to show you.  Let’s talk about some production updates:

The cast/crew on the final shoot day

• We recently finished promotional photography and updated the website to reflect all the new pretty-ness.  Check out the updated cast page!
• Rich Volin joined the team as Lead Editor.  He’s currently hard at work on the footage.  Learn a little more about him on the crew page.
• We’re finishing up our musical selections and will be contacting the artists soon.  Thanks to everyone who submitted!
• We all want to wish Vinson Corbo (our talented AC) a safe trip as he travels to begin school and his career in California!

- J. W.

Along with filming the opening credits sequence and makeup scenes, we had a wonderful photography named Chip McCrea come to our shoot to take promotional photography of the entire cast.  Below is a pic Nick snapped with my BlackBerry from my photo session (notice my freezing hands clasped firmly in my pockets).

Somewhere in Clarendon

You can check out more of the photography all over the site, but especially on the Character page.  We’ve got a brand new editor working hard on the footage, and our sound mixer and composer are standing by ready to get to work!

- J. W.