Taping Roommates

Based on the ordinary life of four young people who live together in an apartment, “Roommates” is the ABC Family’s new sitcom.

First at all, don’t bring your watch, don’t bring your phone, and of course don’t bring any cameras or video-video recorders. Don’t wear shorts, don’t bring food, spit your gum before get in, don’t be sick, don’t wear a girlfriend, and don’t play baseball and work out more often. This is just an example of what sort of skills do you need for being in an American sitcom.

Take your number and wait still while the rest of the people come in. Go forward slightly and make sure that you have your ID with you. If you want to pee, well, you better try to be in the first group, if not, you will miss part of the program. Don’t worry, the staff will tell you where to sit down. Relax, wait a little bit more, and that’s it.

‘Good afternoon!! Today our audience came from Education First! Hey, wait a minute; I don’t even know what the hell is that?’ And the people started to shout. ‘So, is this some sort of International School? Where? In Redondo Beach? And which nationality are you? And you? Holland? Wow girl, that’s awesome’-The show started.

So we watched an episode, just to meet the actors and see what it was all about. The episode was funny; even funnier than the one we saw recording. And at then, finally we met the actors and actresses.

Something interesting is that they record the show with four cameras so they don’t know to edit it. They used four HD cameras and one-direction-microphones. Despite the actors not always fit the dialogue, doesn’t matter because they can erase the copy and film again so is being edited at that moment. There is a bureau in a different part of the set where they mix sound and video, take care of the faders and record the show in a tape.

With those cameras they are able to make it faster, easier and cheaper. Three hours to record and edit a new sitcom’s episode is a goal. That time guarantee a big production and minimizes the price of creation.

About the sound: the microphones take the speech and the sound effects at the same time. While one is recording the background sound, the other one focuses on the speech.

The director doesn’t use to talk with the actors, but there are exceptions and even sometimes he decides to be part of the cast. Although he is the director he doesn’t have to be editing because he has already written how to edit. Also they are used to working with the same crew so they know how to do their best working together.

The writers are beside the cinemaphotographers. Looking out carefully what’s happening and the audience’s reactions. So they are trying out jokes and writing it over again just to see what is funniest and fits the best. Then, I suppose the director and the executive producer decide which shot is better and what to do. Sorts of speakers are focused to the audience and four of five TVs let the audience see the final result at the same time.

During the breaks we can have a great time because of the different contests. Who is the freakiest guy in the audience? Who can make the freakiest trick? Who has no self-love? Dance, sing as the chipmunks and a big ego, will help you if you want one of the presents given in the show. Scripts, t-shirts, DVDs are examples of what they give away. There is a little ten minute break, where you are able to take a muffin and a tiny bottle of water.

After all, meeting the cast is easy so they show up close to the audience and you can ask for a signature but not a picture. Remember? Cameras are forbidden inside. Talk for a pair minutes with B-list stars, see personally Tamera Mowry who came out on the Disney Channel with ‘Sister Sister’ in 1994.

Finally, among ten o’clock, it is time to go back home, somehow. Some fortunate people have souvenirs; my stomach calmed, and I am waiting for the next time on TV, could be “The American Music Awards”?