Great day on set, cast-wise! at DVinfo.net

Charles Papert · October 4th, 2003, 05:52 PM

One of the more fun things about being a journeyman camera guy in Hollywood is never quite knowing who you'll be working with when you show up on set.

Yesterday was one of those days. I was called in to operate "B" camera on a new series called "Arrested Development". I knew nothing about the show other than the technical details I was told on the phone: that it was shot entirely handheld on HD with Varicams.

I braced myself for a physically demanding day and headed over to Culver Studios. When I checked out the call sheet, I was pretty psyched, some of my favorite actors were onboard, and others that aroused curiosity.

Jason Bateman is the lead; I did a day on a pilot with him last year and knew he was a good guy. Very pro, very funny also.

Portia De Rossi is the female lead. Pretty girl. Not much else to say.

David Cross (from "Mr. Show"). I LOVE Mr. Show. This was a thrill.

Jeffrey Tambor. If there's one show I love more than Mr. Show, it's "the Larry Sanders Show". I'd also worked with him on a pilot (seems like a running theme) and he is full-on comic gold as far as I'm concerned--unfortunately he wasn't working yesterday. Looking forward to going back to that show and watching him work at a later date!

Henry Winkler was guest-starring. C'mon, it's the Fonz! More than that, I'd always heard what a nice guy he is, and he is that and more. Extremely friendly, great vibe.

Liza Minnelli (!) She was working the next day but arrived for wardrobe fitting; I just saw her outside her trailer. What a trip. Not someone you see on TV much!

Anyway, it was quite a day. The show itself is pretty twisted, I think it could be very funny and worth checking out. Despite the sore shoulder from a 13 hr day of handheld operating, I look forward to returning.

And on to the next job, whatever it may be...!

Alex Taylor · October 4th, 2003, 06:59 PM

You have all the fun! Hanging out the Fonz would be cool.

When is this pilot going to air? On NBC I assume?

Wayne Orr · October 4th, 2003, 08:20 PM

Good to hear Liza is working. She has had some rough times recently, and I hope she can keep it together. I had the very great pleasure to work with her on "Barishnikov on Broadway," a number of years ago, and she was absolutely wonderful. Barishnikov was newly immigrated to the U.S. at the time, and this was his first television special. Liza came on board as his special guest star, and it was a brilliant stroke of casting; she sang and danced her heart out, and all the time was warm and charming with Barishnikov, and helped him to come off equally charming. Great television, and some of my best work ever as the crane camera operator. I hope one day it will be released on dvd. One of the last great television variety specials.

Wayne

Charles Papert · October 5th, 2003, 02:08 AM

The part she plays as described to me is very funny. She is having a ball apparently.

Alex, it's a full-fledged series and it will air on Fox starting in November.

Rob Lohman · October 5th, 2003, 06:07 AM

Thanks for those anecdotes, Charles! Keep 'em coming! <g>

Gary Chavez · October 6th, 2003, 12:06 PM

how is David Cross in person?
I was given his cd as a b-day gift and it didnt leave my cd player for about a month.

Paul Tauger · October 6th, 2003, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Jeffrey Tambor. If there's one show I love more than Mr. Show, it's "the Larry Sanders Show". I'd also worked with him on a pilot (seems like a running theme) and he is full-on comic gold as far as I'm concerned--unfortunately he wasn't working yesterday. Looking forward to going back to that show and watching him work at a later date!

Back in my acting days, I did a summer replacement series with Jeff called "Mr. Sunshine." He was a sweetheart to work with, and an hysterically funny, immensely gifted actor.

Quote:

Henry Winkler was guest-starring. C'mon, it's the Fonz! More than that, I'd always heard what a nice guy he is, and he is that and more. Extremely friendly, great vibe.

Henry produced Mr. Sunshine. He's the nicest, warmest, most caring guy I've ever met in the business.

Matt Gettemeier · October 6th, 2003, 05:01 PM

Hey Charles and all you other full-on pro guys... keep posting stuff like this! It gives me chills of joy... kinda' like Jello shots... but in a "physical reaction sense" rather then vodka charged gelatin... what was I saying? Oh yeah, when you guys leave posts like this it feels like I was there with you!

It's actually very generous and cool of you to share your life's highlights...

Hey speaking of that, today I got a 20 oz. bottle of Diet Coke and I won another free one! See! My life is full of cool stuff also! Err, umm... where's them Jello shots...

Robert Knecht Schmidt · October 6th, 2003, 10:43 PM

I've heard a lot about this show. It's about an adolescent boy who becomes "man of the house" of his upper-class family when his executive father is arrested for securities fraud. Looks like a promising addition to the fall lineup.

Keep that streak, Chas!

Ken Tanaka · October 7th, 2003, 12:23 AM

I've seen a few teasers for this show and it looks interesting (this coming from someone who has not watched any episodic television for more than 10 years). Something about a wealthy family whose business is somehow busted by the law and who is now left penniless? I think the promos were on Fox, since I've been watching the baseball playoffs on Fox.

I thought I saw that Tom Hanks is somehow involved with it?

Charles Papert · October 7th, 2003, 01:55 AM

Ron Howard has exec producing credit along with Brian Grazer, I believe.

Joe Carney · October 7th, 2003, 02:15 PM

I have to agree, I've been a fan of Jeffrey Tambor since the late 80s when he starred in a little known sitcom with a buxom actress as a couple of newlyweds. (sorry, I forgot what it was called).

Alex Taylor · November 10th, 2003, 02:58 AM

Charles,

I just happened across this show tonight, hilarious! I think it was the second episode. The bit about the dead dove was great.

Interesting style, too. I'm not sure what to think about all the tiny, subtle and quick zooms in some of the shots though. I guess I should blame the DP!

This show has promise, definitely. I'll be tuning in next week!

Rob Belics · November 10th, 2003, 10:29 AM

Let's play the Charles Papert game!

A friend of mine writes with Brian Grazer, who produced for Ron Howard on a show shot by Charles Papert!

Imran Zaidi · November 10th, 2003, 11:27 AM

I love this game!

I have recently been helping out a local Media Arts project with a group from the UCF Film Dept., one of whom is Sterling Van Wagenen, the co-founder of Sundance. I can make the connection with him, but I like this one better because it's quicker and I can connect Kevin Bacon along with it. The person I work with most in this project is...

- Lisa C. Cook who was a Production Manager in "Tremors" which starred...
- Kevin Bacon who co-starred in "Picture Perfect" with...
- Jennifer Aniston who co-starred in "Office Space" shot by...
- Mr. Charles Papert

October 4th, 2003, 05:52 PM	#1
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Great day on set, cast-wise! One of the more fun things about being a journeyman camera guy in Hollywood is never quite knowing who you'll be working with when you show up on set. Yesterday was one of those days. I was called in to operate "B" camera on a new series called "Arrested Development". I knew nothing about the show other than the technical details I was told on the phone: that it was shot entirely handheld on HD with Varicams. I braced myself for a physically demanding day and headed over to Culver Studios. When I checked out the call sheet, I was pretty psyched, some of my favorite actors were onboard, and others that aroused curiosity. Jason Bateman is the lead; I did a day on a pilot with him last year and knew he was a good guy. Very pro, very funny also. Portia De Rossi is the female lead. Pretty girl. Not much else to say. David Cross (from "Mr. Show"). I LOVE Mr. Show. This was a thrill. Jeffrey Tambor. If there's one show I love more than Mr. Show, it's "the Larry Sanders Show". I'd also worked with him on a pilot (seems like a running theme) and he is full-on comic gold as far as I'm concerned--unfortunately he wasn't working yesterday. Looking forward to going back to that show and watching him work at a later date! Henry Winkler was guest-starring. C'mon, it's the Fonz! More than that, I'd always heard what a nice guy he is, and he is that and more. Extremely friendly, great vibe. Liza Minnelli (!) She was working the next day but arrived for wardrobe fitting; I just saw her outside her trailer. What a trip. Not someone you see on TV much! Anyway, it was quite a day. The show itself is pretty twisted, I think it could be very funny and worth checking out. Despite the sore shoulder from a 13 hr day of handheld operating, I look forward to returning. And on to the next job, whatever it may be...! __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 4th, 2003, 06:59 PM	#2
Alex Taylor Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 390	You have all the fun! Hanging out the Fonz would be cool. When is this pilot going to air? On NBC I assume? __________________ alextaylor.org

October 5th, 2003, 02:08 AM	#4
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	The part she plays as described to me is very funny. She is having a ball apparently. Alex, it's a full-fledged series and it will air on Fox starting in November. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 5th, 2003, 06:07 AM	#5
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Thanks for those anecdotes, Charles! Keep 'em coming! <g> __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 6th, 2003, 10:43 PM	#9
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	I've heard a lot about this show. It's about an adolescent boy who becomes "man of the house" of his upper-class family when his executive father is arrested for securities fraud. Looks like a promising addition to the fall lineup. Keep that streak, Chas! __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 4th, 2003, 08:20 PM	#3
Wayne Orr Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northridge Ca Posts: 734	Good to hear Liza is working. She has had some rough times recently, and I hope she can keep it together. I had the very great pleasure to work with her on "Barishnikov on Broadway," a number of years ago, and she was absolutely wonderful. Barishnikov was newly immigrated to the U.S. at the time, and this was his first television special. Liza came on board as his special guest star, and it was a brilliant stroke of casting; she sang and danced her heart out, and all the time was warm and charming with Barishnikov, and helped him to come off equally charming. Great television, and some of my best work ever as the crane camera operator. I hope one day it will be released on dvd. One of the last great television variety specials. Wayne

October 6th, 2003, 12:06 PM	#6
Gary Chavez Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Antonio Posts: 355	how is David Cross in person? I was given his cd as a b-day gift and it didnt leave my cd player for about a month.

October 6th, 2003, 05:01 PM	#8
Matt Gettemeier Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 936	Hey Charles and all you other full-on pro guys... keep posting stuff like this! It gives me chills of joy... kinda' like Jello shots... but in a "physical reaction sense" rather then vodka charged gelatin... what was I saying? Oh yeah, when you guys leave posts like this it feels like I was there with you! It's actually very generous and cool of you to share your life's highlights... Hey speaking of that, today I got a 20 oz. bottle of Diet Coke and I won another free one! See! My life is full of cool stuff also! Err, umm... where's them Jello shots...

October 7th, 2003, 12:23 AM	#10
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I've seen a few teasers for this show and it looks interesting (this coming from someone who has not watched any episodic television for more than 10 years). Something about a wealthy family whose business is somehow busted by the law and who is now left penniless? I think the promos were on Fox, since I've been watching the baseball playoffs on Fox. I thought I saw that Tom Hanks is somehow involved with it? __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

October 7th, 2003, 01:55 AM	#11
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Ron Howard has exec producing credit along with Brian Grazer, I believe. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 7th, 2003, 02:15 PM	#12
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	I have to agree, I've been a fan of Jeffrey Tambor since the late 80s when he starred in a little known sitcom with a buxom actress as a couple of newlyweds. (sorry, I forgot what it was called).

November 10th, 2003, 02:58 AM	#13
Alex Taylor Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 390	Charles, I just happened across this show tonight, hilarious! I think it was the second episode. The bit about the dead dove was great. Interesting style, too. I'm not sure what to think about all the tiny, subtle and quick zooms in some of the shots though. I guess I should blame the DP! This show has promise, definitely. I'll be tuning in next week! __________________ alextaylor.org

November 10th, 2003, 10:29 AM	#14
Rob Belics Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 581	Let's play the Charles Papert game! A friend of mine writes with Brian Grazer, who produced for Ron Howard on a show shot by Charles Papert!

November 10th, 2003, 11:27 AM	#15
Imran Zaidi Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,315	I love this game! I have recently been helping out a local Media Arts project with a group from the UCF Film Dept., one of whom is Sterling Van Wagenen, the co-founder of Sundance. I can make the connection with him, but I like this one better because it's quicker and I can connect Kevin Bacon along with it. The person I work with most in this project is... - Lisa C. Cook who was a Production Manager in "Tremors" which starred... - Kevin Bacon who co-starred in "Picture Perfect" with... - Jennifer Aniston who co-starred in "Office Space" shot by... - Mr. Charles Papert