Last week, I had the privilege of meeting with the stars of USA Network’s upcoming series “White Collar” in New York City. Every so often I forget how hectic television sets can be, especially when it’s shot on location and not on a sound stage. Just so you understand the amount of work that goes into shooting on location and the hours required in television, here is a rundown of my day and locations.
I met with the USA representatives at 7AM, before heading uptown to the set, at the Northwest side of Central Park. However, one of the day’s scenes had already begun shooting near Columbus Circle.
I met with Matthew Bomer (Neal Caffrey) and Tim DeKay (Peter Stokes) at a school on 108th street and Broadway. However, there was a slight delay before meeting them as another scene was being shot two blocks away at an apartment. And, about an hour and a half later, I received an ecstatic text message from a friend stating that he just saw “the gay guy from Sex and the City” filming by 42nd St and 5th Avenue (Near Grand Central). Matt and Tim discussed their on-screen bromance as well as their individual characters. Regarding Matt, Tim stated that Matt “happens to be incredibly beautiful.”
Next, Tiffani Thiessen discussed her role as Debbie Stokes. Thiessen stated that she fine with having a supporting actor role since lead actor’s have to survive 17-hour days. On the subject of a guest-appearance on “90210,” Thiessen bluntly stated that she has no interest in guest spot.
After meeting with Tiffany, the interview area I was in was used for a holding area for the second team (detectives and miscellaneous extras). When they were done, I had the chance to meet with the “White Collar” costume designer, Stephanie Maslansky. Stephanie shared some of the specific designs she has used to create the different character types Neal uses when executing a “White Collar” crime.
Right after Stephanie, I met Willie Garson, who apparently was shooting over by 42nd street earlier that day. On shooting in New York, Willie states, “On Sex and the City it was all the time. People in the middle of scenes asking you for a quarter.”
Garson continued, “People who are fans and just want to watch, they’re great. ‘Listen, would you people just stand over here?’ Great. Paparazzi are like, listen—we used to yell at them. They would rent apartment windows from people so they could get up there and take (pictures)… what if the shot is us tracking the building and coming down? It’s like we would scream at them, like, ‘You’re driving us to Brooklyn.’ Because if we can’t shoot, we can’t shoot. It costs money. And so that’s the only problem, but we don’t have that problem here. I mean, no one’s chasing us around with cameras yet.”
If there was ever an actor who could win you over with off-the-cuff jokes and witty remarks, Willie is that guy. Willie’s character Mozzie may be a starkly different character from his role on “Sex and the City 2,” but both characters all have the humor and lovability Willie exudes with every word.
Later, I finally had a chance to go to set. The only question was, which set to go to? Production had locked down several locations along the Northwest side of Central Park. So, although there were trailers, 12K Arri lights (it was overcast that day - it is New York City in the Fall) and PAs galore lurking about, none of the locations were live. Finally, I ended up at a scene being shot outside of a Dry Cleaner. For what felt like an hour, the camera team rehearsed a dolly shot of a non-principal actor going into and out of the Dry Cleaners. During this time, local New York pedestrians just walked through the set without regard for what was going on. Orange cones just don’t have the same impact they used to. For movie sets, production gets to lock down a city block.
If you’re Will Smith in “I Am Legend,” then you shut down the Brooklyn Bridge. But, if you’re a new show, you get the indie-filmmaker treatment, which means orange cones and a permit to film.
The world of TV production may be hectic, but the end result, the seamless magic that brings viewers back to our TV/DVR each week, is often worth the effort. Will “White Collar” be able to reap the fruits of the production’s hard work? That’s for the future to decide. But, I can tell you this: White Collar has united a group of genuine actors, each of which has set ego aside for their art. Bomer, DeKay, Thiessen and Garson have sidelined ego for art. Conversations with the cast didn’t feel like celebrity and interviewer, but more like peers gathered for coffee and tea. When you put together such a sincere group of actors, you can’t help but to hope for their success.
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