Before I began my career in the production industry, I would sit down in front of the TV to enjoy a show and relax for 30 minutes, not realizing all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into making this show that I thoughtlessly watched. Then there were the commercials; as soon as it was time for “a break from our sponsors” I jumped for the remote to change the channel, like most TV viewers.
Once I started working at Citizen Pictures/Base2Studios, my respect level for television shows and commercials changed tremendously. I never knew how much work is put into a 30 second commercial! Starting with the all day casting call, to search for the perfect actor/actors among many to fill the role. After the casting call is the call back, where the actor/actors that were chosen are brought back to make sure they truly are perfect for the role. As soon as the puzzle pieces fit, the shoot happens. Filming can take 1 to 2 days to get the perfect footage. Once the filming has wrapped, it’s on to the editing. Editing can take up to a week, where the many hours of footage shot are edited down to the best 30 seconds and become a commercial.
Of course that is a very vague explanation of the production process, but now when I sit down to enjoy a show, I don’t change the channels as fast. Instead, I take in the 30 seconds of artistic persuasion and have a different appreciation for all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into producing anything I watch on television.
Nicole Klingensmith