I found this very interesting post about Castle Filming. A lot of the info was new to me.
So, here’s a list of things Castle fans should know, before they ask questions from the crew:
It usually takes 8 days to film an episode. They have 5-day working weeks, which means the episode takes usually 1,5 weeks to shoot and be done with one episode.
On average, there is 5 episodes on production at the same time: one in writing,one is in prepping, one in production, one in post production, one is in the hands of the ABC. The executive directors must keep an eye on all processes.
If they finish early in the day with an episode, they don’t start shooting new one till the next day.
Editing work starts the same day as the episode starts filming. Episode editing is wrapped up roughly 2-3 days after they have finished filming the episode (the while editing process is usually around 2 weeks).
Castle crew produces usually 1-5 hours of footage during one filming day (depending on the episode and locations). There is 8 days worth of material. The show is only 42 minutes.
Out of 8 days of shooting, usually 2-3 days are spent on location (it depends on the episode).
They start work every monday around 7 and the day usually last 10 - 12 hours. Each following day, they start the day (shooting) later. Again, depending on the episode and necessary shots.
The actors usually get there scripts 1-2 weeks before shooting but they work on it up until shooting. Everyone gets the same script including the Cameramen. The scripts are anywhere from 52- 56 pages.
The actors rehearse their lines in their own time and on set.
Castle crew uses 3 studios - 2 of the studios are used for permanent sets: Castle’s loft, Beckett’s apartment, The Precinct and the morgue. The 3rd one is for the episode specific sets.
Castle crew do not shoot the scenes in order. Sometimes not even the episodes (meaning in airing order).
In daily basis, Castle crew uses 2 cameras for filming. Cameras they are using is Panavision Platinum camera. Panavision doesn’t make anymore, they can use only revamp. The footage is captured on film. They process the film in total darkness because the film is extremely light sensitive.
Castle is one of the last shows to still shoot on 35mm film. They usually shoot only one episode at a time to avoid mixing the scenes.
One of the sets they often use is Paramount New York street in Paramount studios. It is just over the street from Castle studios.
The permanent and the varying sets made by Castle Art Department are very flexible. Almost all the walls move in the precinct set and the apartment sets. They design the sets that way because it enables to get better camera angles while shooting.
Almost all the glass/mirror surfaces in the sets are adjustable - to avoid the reflection of the cameras.
When there is food or drinks on set, its usually real food and drinks. Although, they don’t use real coffee in the coffee cups. It’s either water or some drinks that the actors prefer.
Sound and video effects are added after the editing proccess has been done. The same thing goes with the music.
The sound is recorded at the same time as the picture, but usually actors have to do a voice overs during post production, if the sounds from locations are too damaged. ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording) in just about every episode. Usually for tech reasons (volume), sometimes for story reasons.
The aerial shots of New York are usually what they call “stock shots”, they are bought in or borrowed.
The cars used for Beckett, Ryan and Esposito are on loan and with the department all season. The actors do actually drive the cars in most scenes.
“Bottle episode” is filmed with limited locations or none and sometimes used flashbacks to old footage to save on cost.
Castle crew usually has no say about what goes in the promos or promo pictures, its all done by ABC.
Source: poialliisi
It usually takes 8 days to film an episode. They have 5-day working weeks, which means the episode takes usually 1,5 weeks to shoot and be done with one episode.
On average, there is 5 episodes on production at the same time: one in writing,one is in prepping, one in production, one in post production, one is in the hands of the ABC. The executive directors must keep an eye on all processes.
If they finish early in the day with an episode, they don’t start shooting new one till the next day.
Editing work starts the same day as the episode starts filming. Episode editing is wrapped up roughly 2-3 days after they have finished filming the episode (the while editing process is usually around 2 weeks).
Castle crew produces usually 1-5 hours of footage during one filming day (depending on the episode and locations). There is 8 days worth of material. The show is only 42 minutes.
Out of 8 days of shooting, usually 2-3 days are spent on location (it depends on the episode).
They start work every monday around 7 and the day usually last 10 - 12 hours. Each following day, they start the day (shooting) later. Again, depending on the episode and necessary shots.
The actors usually get there scripts 1-2 weeks before shooting but they work on it up until shooting. Everyone gets the same script including the Cameramen. The scripts are anywhere from 52- 56 pages.
The actors rehearse their lines in their own time and on set.
Castle crew uses 3 studios - 2 of the studios are used for permanent sets: Castle’s loft, Beckett’s apartment, The Precinct and the morgue. The 3rd one is for the episode specific sets.
Castle crew do not shoot the scenes in order. Sometimes not even the episodes (meaning in airing order).
In daily basis, Castle crew uses 2 cameras for filming. Cameras they are using is Panavision Platinum camera. Panavision doesn’t make anymore, they can use only revamp. The footage is captured on film. They process the film in total darkness because the film is extremely light sensitive.
Castle is one of the last shows to still shoot on 35mm film. They usually shoot only one episode at a time to avoid mixing the scenes.
One of the sets they often use is Paramount New York street in Paramount studios. It is just over the street from Castle studios.
The permanent and the varying sets made by Castle Art Department are very flexible. Almost all the walls move in the precinct set and the apartment sets. They design the sets that way because it enables to get better camera angles while shooting.
Almost all the glass/mirror surfaces in the sets are adjustable - to avoid the reflection of the cameras.
When there is food or drinks on set, its usually real food and drinks. Although, they don’t use real coffee in the coffee cups. It’s either water or some drinks that the actors prefer.
Sound and video effects are added after the editing proccess has been done. The same thing goes with the music.
The sound is recorded at the same time as the picture, but usually actors have to do a voice overs during post production, if the sounds from locations are too damaged. ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording) in just about every episode. Usually for tech reasons (volume), sometimes for story reasons.
The aerial shots of New York are usually what they call “stock shots”, they are bought in or borrowed.
The cars used for Beckett, Ryan and Esposito are on loan and with the department all season. The actors do actually drive the cars in most scenes.
“Bottle episode” is filmed with limited locations or none and sometimes used flashbacks to old footage to save on cost.
Castle crew usually has no say about what goes in the promos or promo pictures, its all done by ABC.
Source: poialliisi
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