Gina on HGTV’s show "That’s Clever"In late June, 2005, I received the good news that I had been chosen to be a featured artist on HGTV’s show Crafters:Coast to Coast, which will be renamed That’s Clever this fall. The film crew was scheduled to be at my house on July 20th, 2005. In the weeks leading up to the filming, I was busy preparing seven ‘step out’ canvases. These are partially completed pieces that are used to illustrate different steps in the process of making a floorcloth. As scheduled, the crew from Crafters:Coast to Coast showed up in the late afternoon for the filming. Becky (field producer), Renato (director/camera), Donovan (camera), and Ken (sound) turned our living room into a film studio with big light rigs, power cords, television monitors and sound equipment. We had initially planned to film in my basement studio, but it wasn’t big enough for all of their equipment. Before filming the demonstartion portion of the segment, we did the fun and silly stuff for the intro and cut away sections. We went to fire station #2 where Tim, my husband, is a fire fighter. We filmed from the top of Ladder 2, nearly 100 feet in the air. We went up in the ‘bucket’ several times to get the footage Becky and Renato wanted for the segment. Renato was a little nervous at first because he is reportedly scared of heights. He got over it pretty quickly and really enjoyed himself. Everyone got into the fun. Becky was wearing a toy fire helmet with junior fire fighter stickers, and she and Renato had their pictures taken on the truck. They even filmed my family playing on the truck and gave Max, my son, some lines for the intro. Despite being a little embarassed at first because the whole fire crew was outside watching the filming, I got over it and had a lot of fun hamming it up for the camera. After filming at the fire station, we went home and filmed our family riding bikes and playing on the trampoline together. It was fun having my family included in the filming. The only unpleasant part was that it was so hot. It was over 100 degrees and humid. Whenever I started to shine too much, Becky would stop filming and powder my face…how Hollywood! When we finished playing, I changed into my paint clothes and got down to work. Unfortunately, the air conditioner interfered with the sound, so no a/c. With all the lights, it was very hot in the house. It was really interesting to get an insider’s view of how television shows are put together. I had to remember to speak in short sentences, and to talk to the camera, not the person behind the camera. Needless to say, I had to say my lines over and over to get it right. Sometimes, they would have me say the same line in a different way, so the editors would have a lot to choose from. Despite the heat and repetition, we had a lot of fun. Becky and Renato were great at putting me at ease and guiding me during the filming. I made a lot of silly mistakes that had everyone laughing. Finally, after seven long hot hours of filming, we were done. By 11:30pm, my house was put back together and Becky, Renato, Donovan, and Ken were on their way. The new season of That’s Clever (formerly Crafters:Coast to Coast) will begin September, 26th, 2005. I won’t know the air date or episode until late September. I will let everyone know when I do. Check here for updates. Also, check at www.hgtv.com for details. On the weekend of September 23, 24, and 25, the HGTV featured artists from the St. Louis area are doing a joint exhibit and demonstration at the City Museum in downtown St. Louis. Stop by to meet the HGTV artists and enjoy the City Museum. |
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© 2005 Gee Gina |