CPAC TAPE TRANSCRIPT
BY: Regina Moore AKA Charlotte Frost
FEEDBACK/COMMENTS: regmoore@earthlink.net
CPAC Tape - Parts One and Two)
Part One
As promised on the TS Talks LJ, here is a write-up of parts of the
CPAC tape.
If I remember correctly, CPAC is a Canadian public channel. It did a
behind-the-scenes segment on The Sentinel and the program was a good 2.5 hours
long. I have included comments from a few people and departments that I thought were
interesting, but most of the details of this two-part post concern when scenes were being
filmed in Simons office for the episode Foreign Exchange. The filming
situations were actually a very small part of the overall CPAC tape, but they were broken
up into two segments one before lunch (which took place at two in the afternoon)
and one after lunch. The second one is the more interesting one and comprises all of Part
Two.
As a side note, I was surprised that they even did rehearsals in one-hour dramatic TV
series. I remember that one of the original Bonanza actors used to complain
about the lack of rehearsals (due to time constraints). And I know that for the original
Star Trek, they had stand ins (people of the same height as the actors in a
scene) for the purposes of setting up the cameras for each scene. With TS, they were
rehearsing scenes at the same time that they were doing camera blocking.
I dont know the name of the main CPAC guy, so Im just calling him Nar for
Narrator.
The CPAC program starts out at about eleven in the morning. (The date is March 16th. No
year is given but its surely 1998, since Foreign Exchange is near the
end of the third season.) Theyre out on location to catch up to TSs
co-producer and sometime-director Danny Bilson, who on this day is directing an episode of
Viper.
If anyone has ever seen Danny Bilson on anything before, you know he is very good-looking
and has an easy-going nature. I always wonder why hes behind the camera instead of
in front of it. Anyway, it was surprising when he said that the main part of the
directors job is being nice. *g* And helping to keep the communication
going. He credited the hierarchy of assistant directors with being responsible for
bring everything together for each scene.
He says that the directors job is the most fun and a great one for
control freaks. He recommends getting into the business via writing, since one can do it
solely with ones creativity.
He mentioned trying to get six hours of sleep per night to function, but sometimes he has
to survive on only three.
He said that theyd originally wanted to have TS take place in Seattle, but they
eventually changed it to a fictional city so they could shoot in Vancouver for financial
reasons.
A couple of hours later, the CPAC crew was inside the soundstage, specifically on the set
where the loft is housed. Producer Bob Hargrove was the man giving the tour. He mentioned
that the loft has real plumbing but the electrical boxes on the wall are fake. They wanted
to make the loft large and spacious so that they would keep the moving of walls, for
camera placement, down to a minimum.
They showed the inside of Blairs room, which we never see except for very
tight shots in True Crime and TSbBS, and a distant shot in
Attraction. It was very neat and clean and in masculine colors. There were a
lot of plush cushions piled up on the neatly-made bed.
They next moved to the set where they filmed the restaurant scene from Foreign
Exchange. They had originally intended to shoot it at a real restaurant, but the
fact that it needed to be at night and then have the blackout made for a lot
of complications. So, they decided to build a set (which takes about a week) and then rent
all the dishes, silverware, furniture, and other trappings.
As with the loft, everything the viewer sees outside the windows at the restaurant are
actually inserts that are computer-generated later.
They showed us the room where Personnel was shot (in Siege), and that room
also doubles as the Forensics lab and other departments, mainly via changing the doors and
the angles of shooting inside of it to make it look like a different room.
Unlike the loft, Major Crimes and the surrounding halls have ceilings, including water
stains that were put there on purpose to add realism.
As the CPAC camera moved into the bullpen, to approach Banks office where filming
was taking place, there were a lot of extras dressed as cops sitting around the desks.
We didnt see inside the breakroom, but Hargrove mentioned that none of the plumbing
or such works in it, since theres no need.
At 1:50 PM, the CPAC crew gets closer to Banks office. We see director Bruce Bilson
(father of Danny Bilson) very focused and he has to tell everyone to be quiet a couple of
times before its time to roll the cameras. (The first few times I saw the CPAC tape,
I thought Bruce Bilson was a very harsh, grumpy person. But after seeing it more, I
dont agree with that first impression. Hes can be humorous and personable.
Its just that he has a very weathered look and a no-nonsense tone.)
As the cameras roll, he watches the action from a bank of monitors outside of Simons
office. (In a later interview, he mentions that he usually prefers to watch whats
being filmed the old fashioned way -- looking directly into the actors
faces as they perform.)
A crush of bodies surrounds Simons office, so we cant see anything while
theyre filming. But we can hear Banks, Ellison, and Sandburg discussing the
background of the bad guys. Once the scene ends, Bilson tells everybody to get ready to go
again, as theyre going to re-do the scene for close-ups.
This time when they film and Bilson watches the row of monitors, he breaks out into a
grin. And then he calls, Cut print that, and then announces a
rehearsal.
Bob Hargrove tells the Nar that theyre going to block for another part of the scene
and then break for lunch. He says that the block, is not a rehearsal but just
getting the camera angles right.
Were introduced to the very Nordic-looking Tony Westman (white hair nearly to his
shoulders), Director of Photography, who says that each scene is shot from 2-6 different
angles. But since they can usually only get one or two cameras in a scene, they have to do
each scene for real multiple times, though on some of the special effects
action shots they only have one chance at it.
The CPAC camera moves closer so that we can actually see into Simons office. While
Anna Galvin is leaning over Simons desk and saying her lines (with script in hand),
Garett Maggart (with thick-framed glasses and hair in a neat ponytail) it talking quietly
with Richard Burgi (green cotton shirt with undershirt) as they stand in front of
Simons desk. But theyre too far away to catch what theyre saying. The
scripts the actors use are all about half the size of the 8.5X11 standard paper that the
director uses.
At one point, AG turns to Bilson because she wants to change a word in her lines, and
Bilson tells her its okay. When she gets to the point of mentioning why shes
really in Cascade (to get Bruenell), Bruce Young, sitting at his desk, enjoys telling her
repeatedly, You *lied* to us. *g*
The CPAC camera moves closer as their conversation ends and AG exits. GM says his line
defending her and asking Jim how many times hes done something for personal reasons,
and Jim/RB gives his quiet reply, I didnt lie about it. Then Bilson
looks up and loudly warns to people out of camera range, Were still
rehearsing, people, because its gotten rather noisy.
As they wind down the scene, GM chatters something with Bilson, and Bilson comments, then
GM waves his arms and says, But we cant talk about it right now because
were on lunch. Then he waves his arms again and laughingly takes it back,
saying, No. Then he spots the CPAC camera and sobers like he didnt
realize it was there. *g*
Bilson looks at RB and says apologetically, You get to stand around a lot,
Rich. Tony Westman adds, A man of few words.
RB says good-naturedly, Itll all play in the editing. Itll all play in
the stimulating editing room. Bilson grins and we hear Maggart, who is blocked by
RB, say, Thats right. The snip!snip!snip!snip! process.
Bilson thanks them, making it clear its lunch break. GM and RB turn away to exit,
but RB bends down to get his water bottle and Bob Hargrove snags him for the CPAC camera.
Of course, RB is very personable but I cant help but think he was straining to be
patient and *really* wanted to have his lunch break. He put up with the usual questions
about what its like to work in Vancouver (theres a lot of
Canadians) and how to get into acting. He made a point of saying that he only wears
his personal clothes about an hour a day and that being an actor means being
told, when to go, where to go, how to go, why to go well, not why. He
calls the set a large extended family outside of your gene pool (and looks
very serious *g* ).
His recommendation for preparing for a career as an actor was, A few years of manual
labor would be a wonderful thing, military training or some work with sports teams to
understand what its like to work in tandem; a sense of dedication, discipline and
hard work. And some suffering along the way maybe a rejection by a girlfriend,
boyfriend, death in the family, any hardships one could endure in the course of
lifetime. Then, A chip on your shoulder doesnt hurt. And he laughs
for an extended moment. But then he reiterates, Get out in the real world and get
some job experience. Get a job as dishwasher, or a bricklayer, you know
travel,
keeps your eyes open.
After deadpanning the great weather in Vancouver once you get passed the torrential
downpour 364 days a year, he makes a point of saying, My son is
Canadian, as though to soothe any insult against Canadians.
The CPAC Nar asks, Whos the gentleman standing over here? and the camera
pans to Bruce Young standing tall and stately at the back of his office, obviously more
than willing to talk to the CPAC people.
RB introduces him as, Captain Banks. You know, I feel a little on the short side and
wish I had a better tan. He laughs while the Nar says, Which you wont
find in Vancouver.
RB laughs more and quips, Banks dont surf.
RB then gets serious and says, Whats its like? Its great. Every
day showing up and having a trio of people to create and having the support for the
most part of the individuals who put the show on. I love working with Bruce because
hes a very passionate and creative sort and you know
, he looks up at BY,
hes got a terrific haircut, too.
The camera focuses on BY, and RB apparently takes his opportunity to slip away, since we
dont see him anymore this segment.
BY mentions how he likes that Simon gets to be an active captain and
isnt stuck behind a desk. He then gives a tour of his office and points out the
fishing props and the little angels on his desk. (Which I never noticed until I saw this.)
He said theyre all stuff hes added. He has a portrait of his real son on his
desk. Banks even has his own business cards.
He goes to the back of the office to present the jazz statues on the bookcase. He says,
Banks is a black man, so he likes having black men all around him.
He calls himself a stage actor, who happens to do television and film. He put
in a few words about how its been fun having Anna Galvin on the team.
Next was meeting co-producer David Wilson who was very involved in the creation of the
sets. He said they purposely created the PD with a lot of windows to give a greater since
of size, while still fitting it in the studio.
Wilson takes us further through the studio where we pass by a basketball court, which they
use for street scenes.
They go outside and theres a small camera crew shooting without actors and Wilson
says its probably for a sentinel hearing shot. They first shoot
RBs ear a few times, and then actually finish up the rest of the scene out
here, where they shoot whatever else they need to in order to create the special
sentinel effect.
They continue on to rows of small RVs that act as dressing rooms. They call them
star wagons. They go inside an empty one and it looks comfortable and plush.
Theyre all long-term rentals.
He was asked about where the actors memorize their lines and Wilson said that most of them
actually have their scripts on the set so they can look at them right before a scene
(inferring that they dont necessarily have to study their lines ahead of time.)
We see one large RV with a satellite dish attached and Wilson says those are the trailers
for the stars, directors, etc.
In the Art and Casting departments, they were working on gearing up for Neighborhood
Watch. The casting crew was teasing the Nar about being ideal for a role in the
episode.
Part Two
Its now nearly five oclock and the CPAC camera once
again approaches Banks office, where filming is taking place. Were actually in
the bullpen looking toward the blinds of Simons office.
The director yells Cut and Anna Galvin tiptoes out to speak with the CPAC
people. She mentions that its just her first week on the set and she was very
nervous the first day, but each day has gotten better. She says, Everyone has been
very kind and its been a lot of fun so far.
They then interrupt the interview because they have to be quiet while the next scene is
filmed with Jim, Blair, and Simon in the latters office. From the camera peeking in
the doorway, we see (and hear) its when Simon is firmly telling Jim and Blair to
escort her majesty back to her hotel.
When Blairs lines are done, GM steps back toward the blinds, almost trips, and then
puts his hand to his mouth, like mouthing an oops gasp toward the CPAC camera.
As soon as the director yells Cut! he comes out to stand aside to watch AG
being interviewed. His glasses are perched atop his head.
AG gives a little background on her character and then mentions her friend
Sandy. She looks over at GM and beckons him, Come on, Sandy! He
protests, No, its your interview. But she insists so he comes to stand
beside her. She says, He knows more about The Sentinel than me; Im learning
from him. GM keeps shaking his head like he doesnt think he should be butting
in on her interview but then relents and talks to the Nar, who introduces him to the
camera.
The Nar asks him what its like working with AG, and GM turns playfully to the camera
and whispers an emphatic, BAD. Then he laughs and says, No, shes
wonderful. She points out, Im taller than he is. He replies,
Thats right; she can beat me up, so I have to say nice things about her.
Then he says, She believes that women are infinitely more intelligent than men so I
have to go along with that.
GM is asked what he thinks of working in Canada and he seriously says its great and
that the Canadian crews are great. Then he laughs and says, Not that I worked that
much down in LA so I didnt know anything about the film crews down there. The
Nar says something about the Canadian exchange rate being helpful and with mock
seriousness GM says, No question. That helps me with a job. He makes his hands
like balancing scales and laughs, As long as we keep that Canadian-American dollar
difference, I got a job.
Theyre asked how difficult it was to get the legal paperwork to work in Canada and
AG said that it took her about five hours at the Canadian Consulate. GM said,
It was actually pretty easy for me. He adds, They took care of it for
me; I just had to come up and sign papers. She says maybe the difference was because
she had an Australian passport, but then she says it seems like that would make it easier
because, we have the same lady on our money.
GM asks her, You guys have that colored money that weird money? She
says they do.
The Nar says something about it being easy to counterfeit (or something like that), and GM
says, Really? He darts his eyebrows at the camera and says, Weve
got a great art department here.
The Nar goes on to say that American twenty dollar bills have a metal strip on them
which GM seems to already know and then points out that if you take too many of
them through the metal detector at the airport the security alarm will go off. GM looks
amazed and said, I didnt know that.
They then realize theyre needed back in Simons office, and GM says quietly to
AG, Sorry I ruined your interview. But she isnt bothered and the Nar had
wanted to talk to him at some point.
They turn toward Simons office and the Nar says, So, youre going in to
block? GM says yes, theyre doing camera blocking, which is another word
for rehearsal. (Thats a contradiction to what Bob Hargrove said earlier. *g*.
)
Bilson is waiting at the door and waves AG and GM in and waves the CPAC cameras in as
well, and they pass by somebody standing at the back of the office, eating a sandwich.
The CPAC camera moves to the other side of the office so that its facing the blinds.
We see Bruce Young standing in front of his desk and he and AG start discussing the script
with Bilson. We can hear GM continuing to discuss the twenty-dollar-bill thing with the
Nar. In the meantime, AG and BY seem to be having a good time together, laughing a lot as
they talk.
Eventually, somebody on the set does a Sshh! and tells everyone to keep it
down. The trio in front of us grow more serious and BY mumbles his lines as he continues
going through the script, with AG looking over his shoulder and Bilson following along
with his own script.
Eventually, GM comes up to the group, puts on his thick-framed glasses, and looks over at
Bilsons script then pulls out his own to follow along. BY stops mumbling to shake
his finger at AG and say,
or Ill use your head for a football.
Richard Burgi suddenly appears next to the group, his own script in hand, and says,
We already said that. GM looks up and reacts at RB and BY asks,
What?
RB says, Weve said it before on this show. BY says no and RB corrects,
Not on this show, but I told that to Sandburg before, out in the hall and he
points out to the hall. We did a walk-and-talk and he did a bup-bup-bup-bup and then
I said it. He glances at GM, Remember that? before going back to his
script.
(It was Prisoner X when Jim said to Blair, You go near that place and
Ill use your head for a football.)
BY, AG, and Bilson go into a discussion about what Banks can say instead.
In the meantime, GMs focus is on Burgi, and he feigns offense and complains to him,
Im always the football though. RB mutters something, shaking his head
back and forth while still bent over his script and GM presses, Why is it always
*my*head
? He then makes a tsk noise and mutters something about,
Thats terrible. RB says something but I cant catch it.
All but GM are talking at once, and then GM suddenly butts in and says with a loud voice
with an elaborate gesture toward Anna, Would he [Simon] say that? No. He
wouldnt say it exactly the way its meant to be said, because hes not
Australian. -- like there, Ive just explained everything. *g* (AG
grins while everyone else is buried in their scripts.)
The camera zeroes in on AG and BY and she suggests a cricket reference, and they start
talking about wickets. Bilson says, Lets run it through once, let the guys
work. And we can find the nuances. They start to shift around and Bilson says,
Quiet please.
Reading from their scripts, BY starts off the scene with , Connor, I should chew you
out, while Bilson says something quietly to Burgi, who is just out of camera range.
The camera pulls back so we see RB and GM. Burgi finishes off his water while reading
along in his script. BY clearly pronounces some of his lines and quickly mutters through
others. He eventually moves behind his desk, where he points his finger at AG and says,
But if you violate procedure again, well have a very sticky wicket. And
she laughs.
Theres then a knock and Rafe walks in with a couple of thick, plain manila envelopes
and hands them to BY. BY accepts them and said, I told them not to send these to the
office. And laughs.
Bilson points out, It *is* a plain brown wrapper. BY is still laughing and
says, I know! I told them not to send these here. He then goes back to reading
his script and Bilson gestures for him to come back out from behind his desk.
BY mumbles more lines to Jim and Blair and Blair slowly says, And we should do what
with it? BY/Banks replies, Well, you should get acquainted with the bread and
butter of police work, Sandburg. He hands him the envelopes and finishes his line.
GM/Blair says, This is quite a lot, sir.
BY/Banks says, Well, it aint gonna get any thinner sitting in here. Take it
over to the operations room and look through it.
As the CPAC camera pans the room, GM jokes, Are you saying Ive put on
weight? We see that there are a *lot* of people in Simons office, standing and
sitting around and watching the rehearsal, some following along with their scripts.
Simon does an Out! Out! thereby ending the scene.
As the camera comes back to Burgi and Bilson, Bilson quietly jokes to him, Good
work, Rich. Obviously pointing out that, once again, they have a long scene where RB
has no lines whatsoever. (Whenever I watch this, Im so amazed at his professionalism
that he so diligently follows along with his script and is so heads-up about
whats going on. I know that GM once said, in reference to both RB and BY, that,
These guys dont just come in and say their lines and leave. Theyre
professionals all the way.)
Bilson says to everyone, Lets block it this time and everyone shifts to
get back in position.
GM places himself in front of RB and starts babbling something about, I think you
should take it to him, making elaborate facial expressions as the camera zeroes in.
I can see RBs mouth move but can't hear anything he says in reply.
All I can figure, from seeing this a half dozen times, is that theres some sort of
party planned upstairs later on a farewell or thank you
party of some kind and GM is trying to tell Burgi that he should be the one to
present the gift. Thats my best guess. I could be completely wrong.
The camera then swings back to Bilson, BY, and an assistant discussing some script point
further. Bilson then loudly says, Lets try to get some marks, please and
steps to one side. We briefly see GM standing by himself and tipping back a bottled water.
AG and BY are making some final comments to each other about the script.
Then we hear GM say, *We* get to sit on it, and Bilson says, Thats
right. RB then steps toward BY and AG and quietly says something about going
upstairs later. Bilson asks, What? Like naughty boys caught at
something, BY casually replies Oh, nothing. As the camera pulls back to
include RB and GM sitting at the end of the table across from Simons desk, GM is
chiming in, Ohhh nothing and RBs expression looks mischievous. RB says
something to Bilson about, Its upstairs. Just a little thank-you. And
waves a hand dismissively like Bilson doesnt need to worry about it.
Everyone steps out so that BY and AG are in the center, with RB and GM nearby sitting on
the table. The director calls Action! and Simon starts in again with,
Connor, I should chew you out.
From where hes sitting, GM grits his teeth grit like a pit pull, leans forward, and
does an Ar-ar-ar-ar- noise.
BY turns toward him for a moment but continues on with his lines. At one point, Banks
says, Considering that there were no injuries on the street, you got lucky. You
*all* did.
In a deep voice, GM mimics, You *all* did.
AG/Megan says she as an explanation for her actions and Simon firmly says, Save
it.
GM reacts and looks at RB like, Ooooh.
Burgi has his arms crossed and is watching the two actors. The next exchange of lines GM
is reacting with a deep, exaggerated Uhm-hmm noise to everything BY and AG
say, and when the camera pulls back RB is doing likewise. *g*
The director suggests that BY come his way on the you all line.
When BY starts back at the I should chew you out line, GM goes back to his pit
bull response. And then continues doing the deep, exaggerated Uhm-hmm noises
while frequently looking at RB beside him, who is doing the same thing.
As BY lectures Connor, he paces back and forth in front of RB and GM, and the second time
he passes by, RB grabs the back of BYs suit jacket and lifts it up. Dont ask
me why but BY ignores it and keeps going.
Even as Simon goes back behind his desk, and the CPAC camera focuses on he and AG, you can
still hear RB and GM making their exaggerated reactions to every line. They continue as
Rafe comes in with the two manila envelopes and gives them to Simon and then leaves.
BY is looking at his script after coming around his desk, holding the envelope while
facing RB and GM, and says, And somebody says
. He looks up and bounces
the heavy envelopes in his hands.
GM/Blair says, Whats that? BY/Simon runs through his explanation, and
GM, in a deep voice asks, And we should do what with it?
BY tosses the envelopes into GMs hands and says his lines about Blair getting
familiar with police work. (In the actual ep, I think they ended up with three manila
envelopes, and one each was given to Jim, Blair, and Megan.)
GM looks at Burgi, and then looks inside one envelope and saying in a deep, almost British
tone, There seems to be quite a lot we have here, sir.
Simon tells them to take it to the operations room and GM and RB look at each other and
react again with the deep Uhm-Hmm noises.
BY opens the door and gestures them out. RB gets up and puts his hand on his hip and
exits, swaying his hips like a woman (causing a few giggles). GM follows, reaches back for
his water bottle, and also exits with swaying hips.
Once they leave, BY closes the door behind them and announces to nobody in particular,
Its amazing we get anything done. And then he laughs.
He and Bilson talk about a few more things, and then GM comes back into the room, stepping
between them and going around the woman on the floor who is placing tape where each actor
had been standing. GM whispers something to get her attention, and when she looks up
shes facing the CPAC camera with strips of tape hanging from her mouth. She smiles
and says, Not with the tape in my mouth. He teases her for another moment and
then the camera zeroes in on Bilson and BY, who are continuing to talk about the scene. AG
comes in for a moment, sits down and sips her water, and then she and GM each leave a
moment later.
The CPAC people then whisper to Bilson obviously asking for an interview and
he says, Sure and leads the way outside. He stands close to GM a moment and
says a few words to him. AG is a few feet away, talking with BY.
The CPAC people start interviewing Bilson, and GM stands in the background watching for a
minute or two and then leaves.
Bilson makes a point of saying that Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo make complicated shows
because theres always a gimmick or special powers. He mentions the
tremendous effort involved in visual effects with Jims senses, and how
if Jim sees something two blocks away, they have to keep moving the camera and filming a
little at a time to get the split-second zoom effect on film. He said they
have a company that stays busy fulltime just doing visual effects for TS and Viper.
Bilson says this is 395th show hes directed and some of his early experiences were
directing Lucille Ball, with whom he became friends.
END