Image Credit: Apple TV
Right up front IF I give spoilers in any article they will ONLY be up to the current episode, I’m not releasing any more information based on my time on the show. AppleTV has been great to my family between MLS, Severance and giving my family SAG Health Insurance and I’d VERY MUCH like to keep it that way. Consider this a form of giveback. But I will delve into my experience as both a stand in and background actor based on the first three episodes with some behind the scenes details; if you have questions let me know. Here we go:
1) Yes, the sets were spectacular. I’ve had the fortune of seeing the sets for Boardwalk Empire, Greatest Showman and others over the years and this was definitely up there. Set design worked overtime to give the show that 1950s-esque feel, even down to the menus in the restaurant, the newspapers and more that will likely NEVER show up on camera (a shame, really). The Art Director was a woman named Katie Citti who cut her teeth on the first three seasons of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and it shows. The robot was a delight to watch. The robot was typically operated by 4 people in green screen shirts and I believe was built by them as well, but don’t hold me 100% to that last part.
Image Credit: Apple TV.
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2) Yes, the cast was great. Being #1 on the call sheet (AKA the main lead of the show) is enormous pressure, so much more than #2 and below. I’ve watched some actors handle it well, others struggle. From my time there, Billy Crudup was chill. He knew his lines, he was laid back, sociable and from what I saw, never showed the pressure of being #1. Nicholas Podany was mostly an unknown so this is huge for him. Upon reflection I feel Billy mentored him both in the show and also how to handle the adjustment to having a breakout role. BTW (AND SPOILER) I’m the guy that Nicolas bribed to let him in the house. I’m interested to see where Nicolas goes from here, good kid. He did make me feel old knowing I could legally drink the day he was born, ha ha. Haneefah Wood talked to me once or twice and was a sweetheart, but the rest of the cast I never spoke to. And yes, let’s talk Hank Azaria. I never talked to him, but internally geeked because like many (including much of the cast) I grew up on the Simpsons. Once during rehearsals he ran his lines as Chief Wiggum, that was 100% glorious. He and I did head nod a few times. I’ll take it.
Image Credit: Apple TV
3) This production was impressively smooth for a first season of the show. Many productions in their first season can be a disorganized mess, but Hello Tomorrow would have a fairly consistent 10-12 hour crew day. Yes, 50-60 work weeks is considered good in the industry. Giving crew both lunch and a chance to see their families makes for a better experience, with most work being in studio. Occasionally they’d go on location, including Long Island for the street scenes and Coney Island for the sporting event.
4) Thank you VFX. Much has been said of late about the hours that VFX puts in, oftentimes 100 hours a week or more for months on end. They’re an underappreciated and overworked group in an increasingly CGI industry and I’m grateful. Showing the robot and cars floating was all VFX and it’s subtle, but huge to give that future/retro feel. Hard core thank you.
Image Credit: Apple TV
This article is a start. It’s been nearly a year since the season wrapped, so I’m pacing myself. Like I said I have no intention of discussing past the current episode that’s aired and probably some kind of general wrap up towards the end. If you have questions, let me know; I’ll answer what I can about this or anything else I’ve done. Until next time, stay awesome.
About the author – Scott Churchson has been an actor in every way for the past 13 years, from BG to stand in to stunts and principal, a sports writer for the past 4 and is one of the people that created Stream Punk Entertainment. He’s married to a veterinarian, has a cat with three working legs and is just a simple man trying to make his way in the universe.