I do a lot of filming these days. It's awesome! I love it. It's also a lot of work. Today I thought I'd share a peek at some of the nuts and bolts of filming Scrapbook Soup.
The prep is epic for any kind of how-to taping. Here's a peek at my prep steps for a single segment:
- Receive assignment. It could be a theme, such as "flowers," or a product, such as "Sakura Koi Brush Markers."
- Get up to speed. This is the research phase. If it's a product, I need to experiment and play around with it. I read packaging and think about what makes the product special. If it's a theme I try to brainstorm around it. What is my unique point-of-view on the topic?
- Choose a primary technique or idea. One of the issues that I have as a teacher is overpacking my classes. I always want to share every single idea and that can be overwhelming, especially in a timed video or TV segment. Over time I've learned that I need to simplify things to be most effective.
- Consider the segment length. You can teach a more complicated technique or idea in 9 minutes than in 6. I always the consider the length of time I have to teach when I'm putting together my project.
- Create a project around the primary technique or idea. There isn't a right or a wrong way to do this. It's more about how your brain works. For me, it's easier to develop the project around my chosen technique or idea rather than developing the project and then pulling out the technique or idea. You say toe-may-toe, I say toe-mah-toe.
- Break the project down into step-outs. Once the project is completed, it's time to figure out how to break it down for filming. Generally speaking, any step that has drying time or is repetitive needs to be stepped-out. It's easier to understand when discussing an actual project. Take this scrapbook page, which I created for Season 4 of Scrapbook Soup:
I brought with me:
- blank white watercolor paper cut to 12×12
- a completed background (the white paper with the black painting done and dried)
- a blank book page
- a sheet of doodled flowers on a book page
- some cut out doodled flowers
- all the supplies to put the page together (photos, adhesive, pens, ruler, etc.)
- Bag the project. Once I've completed a project, it goes into a bag with all the various step-outs and supplies. If there are common shared supplies (like a black ink pad), those items go onto a list that is taped to the front of the bag. That way when I'm prepping the segment at the studio, I can immediately see what is missing from the project.
- Write directions. Written directions for all of the projects that appear on Scrapbook Soup can be found on the Scrapbook Soup website. So, before I forget what the heck I did, I write up a supply list and basic instructions. If there are any templates or anything like that, I also work on getting those digitized!
- Take photographs. Now it's time for the beauty shots! I take photos of the projects (for the instruction sheets and for myself). I then edit the photos and breathe a sigh of relief.
Repeat all 9 steps for each segment.
Once I make it to the studio, there's still a little bit more prep to do.
In the photo above you can see the big metal baker's trays lined up on the tables. Each tray is for a single segment. When I, or any of the guests, get to the studio, we get our segments ready on a tray.
Then those trays are carried into the studio for setup on the set.
Once in the studio, you set up the supplies and step-outs for filming. We go over the order of events and get everyone in the studio on the same page in terms of what's happening.
And as completely glamorous as the whole experience is, there is a lot of standing around and waiting for all of the technical issues — sound, cameras, lights, etc.
In the oh-so-very-flattering photo above you can see Kathy — the producer — and Kevin — the sound guy — adjusting my mic pack and my IFB pack. An IFB is a little thing I wear in my ear so that I can hear Kathy when she's in the control room and I'm on set.
This is a peek at the control room:
Anyway, once we set up and go through everything, we wait for the lighting and camera angles to be adjusted. This was one of those waiting times:
Here's the view from where I'm standing:
There are four cameras and they get moved all around depending on what we're doing. Cameras 1 and 2 are almost always catching a side angle. Camera 3 is an overhead camera on a long arm. It shoots from above and it means that we have to work upside down. This can be very confusing to first time guests and I often find myself flipping their work around during the segment. Camera 4 is almost always the straight on camera. You can see that it has a teleprompter attached to it. This means that I don't have to memorize things! Yay!
Once the floor crew gets the signal from the control room that we're ready to go, the floor director counts down and we're off! The actual filming is always a blur of adrenaline and craft supplies! I'm trying to listen to the guest and ask good questions, make sure that everything looks right for the camera, pay attention to the time and keep things on track, help the guest with anything she/he needs, and listen to Kathy in my ear. And, of course, when I'm by myself filming a segment I'm listening to Kathy in my ear, trying to work upside down, paying attention to the time, talking the entire time I'm working — silence on how-to TV is not a good thing — and trying to remember to point out the important bits and pieces of the technique as I go.
It's a rush! I love the craziness of it!
No matter what shoes I wear, my feet hurt by the end of the day.
The days can be long. I'm in the makeup chair at 7:30am each and every day. Some days we're done by 6pm. Some days I don't leave the studio until 8pm.
I love it.
Thanks for stopping by!
The trays look mighty helpful for organizing each project.
The lights look pretty bright and the working upside down would take some getting used to. Thanks for that peek behind the scenes Julie.
The trays look mighty helpful for organizing each project.
The lights look pretty bright and the working upside down would take some getting used to. Thanks for that peek behind the scenes Julie.
The trays look mighty helpful for organizing each project.
The lights look pretty bright and the working upside down would take some getting used to. Thanks for that peek behind the scenes Julie.
The trays look mighty helpful for organizing each project.
The lights look pretty bright and the working upside down would take some getting used to. Thanks for that peek behind the scenes Julie.
The trays look mighty helpful for organizing each project.
The lights look pretty bright and the working upside down would take some getting used to. Thanks for that peek behind the scenes Julie.
WOW! Crazy life you lead Julie!! Very awesome and I really appreciate your sharing with us!!hugs- and say hi to Mom!
WOW! Crazy life you lead Julie!! Very awesome and I really appreciate your sharing with us!!hugs- and say hi to Mom!
WOW! Crazy life you lead Julie!! Very awesome and I really appreciate your sharing with us!!hugs- and say hi to Mom!
WOW! Crazy life you lead Julie!! Very awesome and I really appreciate your sharing with us!!hugs- and say hi to Mom!
WOW! Crazy life you lead Julie!! Very awesome and I really appreciate your sharing with us!!hugs- and say hi to Mom!
If you have not, try Alegria shoes, I am 44, have had 6 back surgeries and weigh 250(did weight 270). I recently was able to go back to work with the help of these shoes. I do ALOT of walking and standing and come home with zero foot pain. Besides your basics, They also have tons of bright colors and patterns to choose from. And most importantly thank you for your wonderful art and intro to deli paper, I use it and sell it from My etsy store, it’s my top seller and I always recommend your site to my customers! Cuz your awesome:)
If you have not, try Alegria shoes, I am 44, have had 6 back surgeries and weigh 250(did weight 270). I recently was able to go back to work with the help of these shoes. I do ALOT of walking and standing and come home with zero foot pain. Besides your basics, They also have tons of bright colors and patterns to choose from. And most importantly thank you for your wonderful art and intro to deli paper, I use it and sell it from My etsy store, it’s my top seller and I always recommend your site to my customers! Cuz your awesome:)
If you have not, try Alegria shoes, I am 44, have had 6 back surgeries and weigh 250(did weight 270). I recently was able to go back to work with the help of these shoes. I do ALOT of walking and standing and come home with zero foot pain. Besides your basics, They also have tons of bright colors and patterns to choose from. And most importantly thank you for your wonderful art and intro to deli paper, I use it and sell it from My etsy store, it’s my top seller and I always recommend your site to my customers! Cuz your awesome:)
If you have not, try Alegria shoes, I am 44, have had 6 back surgeries and weigh 250(did weight 270). I recently was able to go back to work with the help of these shoes. I do ALOT of walking and standing and come home with zero foot pain. Besides your basics, They also have tons of bright colors and patterns to choose from. And most importantly thank you for your wonderful art and intro to deli paper, I use it and sell it from My etsy store, it’s my top seller and I always recommend your site to my customers! Cuz your awesome:)
If you have not, try Alegria shoes, I am 44, have had 6 back surgeries and weigh 250(did weight 270). I recently was able to go back to work with the help of these shoes. I do ALOT of walking and standing and come home with zero foot pain. Besides your basics, They also have tons of bright colors and patterns to choose from. And most importantly thank you for your wonderful art and intro to deli paper, I use it and sell it from My etsy store, it’s my top seller and I always recommend your site to my customers! Cuz your awesome:)
Thank you for this behind the scene look. It’s amazing the amount of work that goes in and it’s easy to forget from a viewer’s point. Thank you for reminding us and for sharing your wonderful art.
Thank you for this behind the scene look. It’s amazing the amount of work that goes in and it’s easy to forget from a viewer’s point. Thank you for reminding us and for sharing your wonderful art.
Thank you for this behind the scene look. It’s amazing the amount of work that goes in and it’s easy to forget from a viewer’s point. Thank you for reminding us and for sharing your wonderful art.
Thank you for this behind the scene look. It’s amazing the amount of work that goes in and it’s easy to forget from a viewer’s point. Thank you for reminding us and for sharing your wonderful art.
Thank you for this behind the scene look. It’s amazing the amount of work that goes in and it’s easy to forget from a viewer’s point. Thank you for reminding us and for sharing your wonderful art.
Holy freakin’ cow … who knew so much went into an episode let alone an entire season!!! This is amazing …. I will never view SS show the same again … wow, incredibly impressive thanks for sharing!
Holy freakin’ cow … who knew so much went into an episode let alone an entire season!!! This is amazing …. I will never view SS show the same again … wow, incredibly impressive thanks for sharing!
Holy freakin’ cow … who knew so much went into an episode let alone an entire season!!! This is amazing …. I will never view SS show the same again … wow, incredibly impressive thanks for sharing!
Holy freakin’ cow … who knew so much went into an episode let alone an entire season!!! This is amazing …. I will never view SS show the same again … wow, incredibly impressive thanks for sharing!
Holy freakin’ cow … who knew so much went into an episode let alone an entire season!!! This is amazing …. I will never view SS show the same again … wow, incredibly impressive thanks for sharing!
this is beyond informative!!!
this is beyond informative!!!
this is beyond informative!!!
this is beyond informative!!!
this is beyond informative!!!
Love looking at behind the scenes! I’m on my feet all day and I now wear dansko shoes. Really cute and very comfy. Especially made for those of us who have to stand for long amounts of time.
Love looking at behind the scenes! I’m on my feet all day and I now wear dansko shoes. Really cute and very comfy. Especially made for those of us who have to stand for long amounts of time.
Love looking at behind the scenes! I’m on my feet all day and I now wear dansko shoes. Really cute and very comfy. Especially made for those of us who have to stand for long amounts of time.
Love looking at behind the scenes! I’m on my feet all day and I now wear dansko shoes. Really cute and very comfy. Especially made for those of us who have to stand for long amounts of time.
Love looking at behind the scenes! I’m on my feet all day and I now wear dansko shoes. Really cute and very comfy. Especially made for those of us who have to stand for long amounts of time.
Wow! What a fun and interesting look behind the scenes! Totally awesome. Love the LO too!
Wow! What a fun and interesting look behind the scenes! Totally awesome. Love the LO too!
Wow! What a fun and interesting look behind the scenes! Totally awesome. Love the LO too!
Wow! What a fun and interesting look behind the scenes! Totally awesome. Love the LO too!
Wow! What a fun and interesting look behind the scenes! Totally awesome. Love the LO too!
Thanks so much for sharing. I am going to print off your To-do-list as it even applies to making art for entering in a show or even to keep track of the process for future. I so look forward to your amazing posts.
Thanks so much for sharing. I am going to print off your To-do-list as it even applies to making art for entering in a show or even to keep track of the process for future. I so look forward to your amazing posts.
Thanks so much for sharing. I am going to print off your To-do-list as it even applies to making art for entering in a show or even to keep track of the process for future. I so look forward to your amazing posts.
Thanks so much for sharing. I am going to print off your To-do-list as it even applies to making art for entering in a show or even to keep track of the process for future. I so look forward to your amazing posts.
Thanks so much for sharing. I am going to print off your To-do-list as it even applies to making art for entering in a show or even to keep track of the process for future. I so look forward to your amazing posts.
That was fascinating – love you for sharing that with us – thanks 🙂 (but wait, there’s more………………)
That was fascinating – love you for sharing that with us – thanks 🙂 (but wait, there’s more………………)
That was fascinating – love you for sharing that with us – thanks 🙂 (but wait, there’s more………………)
That was fascinating – love you for sharing that with us – thanks 🙂 (but wait, there’s more………………)
That was fascinating – love you for sharing that with us – thanks 🙂 (but wait, there’s more………………)
Its very interesting, Julie! I like how you describe and organize everything. Thank you for sharing and wishing you successful filming!
Its very interesting, Julie! I like how you describe and organize everything. Thank you for sharing and wishing you successful filming!
Its very interesting, Julie! I like how you describe and organize everything. Thank you for sharing and wishing you successful filming!
Its very interesting, Julie! I like how you describe and organize everything. Thank you for sharing and wishing you successful filming!
Its very interesting, Julie! I like how you describe and organize everything. Thank you for sharing and wishing you successful filming!
Thanks, Julie. This was so well done and clear. I so enjoyed the peek behind the scenes, and as a facilitator for different kinds of things, I picked up several pointers. The secret of your success aside from your talent) seems to be that you do your part in creating and preparation and then put yourself in the “present moment” and go with the flow. You have fun with it, and it shows!
Thanks, Julie. This was so well done and clear. I so enjoyed the peek behind the scenes, and as a facilitator for different kinds of things, I picked up several pointers. The secret of your success aside from your talent) seems to be that you do your part in creating and preparation and then put yourself in the “present moment” and go with the flow. You have fun with it, and it shows!
Thanks, Julie. This was so well done and clear. I so enjoyed the peek behind the scenes, and as a facilitator for different kinds of things, I picked up several pointers. The secret of your success aside from your talent) seems to be that you do your part in creating and preparation and then put yourself in the “present moment” and go with the flow. You have fun with it, and it shows!
Thanks, Julie. This was so well done and clear. I so enjoyed the peek behind the scenes, and as a facilitator for different kinds of things, I picked up several pointers. The secret of your success aside from your talent) seems to be that you do your part in creating and preparation and then put yourself in the “present moment” and go with the flow. You have fun with it, and it shows!
Thanks, Julie. This was so well done and clear. I so enjoyed the peek behind the scenes, and as a facilitator for different kinds of things, I picked up several pointers. The secret of your success aside from your talent) seems to be that you do your part in creating and preparation and then put yourself in the “present moment” and go with the flow. You have fun with it, and it shows!
Thanks for the peeks, Julie. What fun… I’m sure it’s exhausting but you always look great and calm, cool, and collected when you’re teaching. Looking forward to seeing your new shows!
Thanks for the peeks, Julie. What fun… I’m sure it’s exhausting but you always look great and calm, cool, and collected when you’re teaching. Looking forward to seeing your new shows!
Thanks for the peeks, Julie. What fun… I’m sure it’s exhausting but you always look great and calm, cool, and collected when you’re teaching. Looking forward to seeing your new shows!
Thanks for the peeks, Julie. What fun… I’m sure it’s exhausting but you always look great and calm, cool, and collected when you’re teaching. Looking forward to seeing your new shows!
Thanks for the peeks, Julie. What fun… I’m sure it’s exhausting but you always look great and calm, cool, and collected when you’re teaching. Looking forward to seeing your new shows!