In December, Rodney, Rachel and I began filming new episodes of Places Please.
Surprisingly, we last shot an episode almost three years ago.
When the first season ended, we fully intended to take a small break and then pick up the three story arcs that were outlined during the filming of the first three stories.
However, other projects, city life, and work lead to us taking a longer break than planned.
Weeks turned into months. Months turned into years. Places Please was never far from our hearts, just far enough away not to be tangible.
Friends and fans who had enjoyed the show began asking us when the next season would start filming. We always had the same answer, "as soon as we can coordinate our schedules, we'll start again."
Since the first season, all three of us had worked on various projects with different people and gained new perspective on what we thought could work for own project.
Some of the burdens and stress of producing the first season came from the amount of material we created while working as a guerrilla film crew. We did all of the writing, producing, camera work, sound, lighting, acting and editing. Friends and volunteers had helped out in various situations, but that was sporadic and inconsistent.
If there were going to be new episodes, we needed more help. A new season would require a director, some PAs that could help with sound, continuity, setting up and breaking down sets, a cinematographer, and writers that could contribute ideas and bring fresh ideas to the characters and story lines.
As the fall approached, Rodney, Rachel and I began to seriously talk about doing new episodes and started to look for room in our schedules.
Then, Steven Williams came to us with a script for a short episode. Steve had worked with all of us in various ways before. In fact, Rod, Rachel and I acted with Steve in a play written by Daryl (who played Trevor in the first season of Places Please).
Steve and Rodney had just completed their project Paulie Pastrami, The King of Illegal Meats, a webseries that parodies gangster movies. Steve had watched Places Please and wrote a script that included new ideas for the characters. We all got together for a reading in November. The script was one of the funniest scripts I had ever read. We were laughing so hard, we struggled to finish.
The three of us agreed that we had to start filming this script as soon as possible. Steve was going to direct and Rod's friend Justin was going to be our DP.
We shot some footage before Christmas at my apartment. Then a month later, we shot the bulk of the script at Rachel's apartment. The following shots are a behind the scenes look at being on set.
The shooting was incredibly fun. By working with a director, a DP and a small crew, the three of us were free to have fun, laugh, act and enjoy the process. A new character, played by Tasha Perri is introduced. Plus, we've started pre-production on the next episode, written by Rachel.
The second season brings back the characters of Fitz, Jack and Emmy as they try to manage their lives, friendship, and careers in the city.
But more importantly the second season allow me to work with some of my favorite people in the city. I can't wait to film more episodes.
Rodney, Rachel, Tasha, Jonathan
The fantastic crew. The family is growing!
Taneika reviews the script while the next shot is prepared.
Rachel and Rod looking ecstatic.
Tasha and me.
Getting ready for our day... or crashing from it...
They were waiting for us to get out of bed and start working.
Rachel
Reversing the angle of the shot.
Waiting our turn.
Running lines.
Shooting a conversation
In between shots.
A laugh on set.
Setting up a bathroom shot.
Filming.. once again....
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