BTG: History, Behind the Scenes Articles & Photos

[ranger1rg]

I hope the budget is there to back The Gates.

I'm as excited as everyone else about the project, but I want it to look good and I want to feel good watching it. I do not want to see obvious cheap-outs and clear signs of a limited budget.

[dragonflies]

Maybe the budget will be better than at YR and BOLD given CBS will own this soap and not have to pay a licensing fee 

[BetterForgotten]

it’s also a co-production with NAACP and P&G, so the bill is getting split a few ways (we just don’t know the % for each party). Even with smaller budgets though,  you can do a lot. The problem is Y&R and B&B are plagued by bad management and people who don’t know how to work around it.

If they do end up in Atlanta, that should help with studio space and storing sets quickly, not to mention a built in locale for exteriors and location shooting. A lot of production are based there because of the tax incentives. 

For all its faults and shoestring budget, The City’s production model from 1995 would be a nice template to relook at for the soaps. 

[Liberty City]

If they did Atlanta... what about using Tyler Perry Studios? Don't want him involved, but his studio lot is impressive, and could work to their advantage.

[BetterForgotten]

Yeah, it’s an option, I guess. Tyler did say he built that studio not just for himself and his projects, but other black creatives and Atlanta-based businesses. 

The Marvel movies do a lot of work in Atlanta as well. 

[janea4old]

Michele Val Jean and Sheila Ducksworth were producers on Jamey Giddens' series "Ambitions"
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9319680/fullcredits

Ambitions was fictionally set in Atlanta and was also filmed in Atlanta:

https://www.businessinsider.com/movies-tv-shows-filming-georgia-abortion-bill-2019-5

https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/casting-calls-acting-auditions/own-ambitions/

[Soapsuds]

And we have two residents in Atlanta that can be used in any form.

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Just sayin!

[Contessa Donatella]

And Michele Val Jean knows one of them. 

[Gray Bunny]

When (hopefully when, not if) this finally begins production, I expect CBS will mandate that Y&R step their p*ssy up and reach out to lapsed viewers, particularly their black audience, in preparation for a stronger daytime line-up. Perhaps a story arc involving the return of Shemar Moore. Maybe they'll finally remember Tonya Lee Williams. And if Victoria Rowell isn't wisely scooped up for The Gates, a back-from-the-dead Drucilla would be heavenly. 

 

Edited March 11, 2024 by Gray Bunny

[Liberty City]

That won't be happening, LOL.

[dragonflies]

I could see TP being supportive of this and letting them use it to offset the cost 

[Liberty City]

Mhm, it would be a win-win, in my eyes. Plus, there are ways they could even potentially build permanent sets if there is enough backing and support for The Gates.

[vanguard]

It would all add up so nicely. Have the show set in Atlanta. TP offers up his impressive studio for taping. Have this rich black family living in the wealthy upscale community of Buckhead. Give us those juicy storylines that only the ATL could produce. WINNER!

Edited March 11, 2024 by vanguard

[BetterForgotten]

I’ve heard that filming in LA had gotten to be almost as expensive as filming in NYC, hence why so many productions have migrated to Atlanta. It makes sense to me along with Atlanta often being the main hub for the black entertainment industry - there’s wide pool of talent they can pull from there (along with other parts of the country obviously).

I feel like the premise of this show will evolve as they work through the Bible and pre-production. I know it mentioned a focus on a wealthy black family -  but they will obviously need an element to counter that to make the show work. 

Also, they absolutely can’t afford to have the “black culture” in this show be whitewashed like it is on the 4 existing soaps. A show like this shouldn’t shy away from what it means to be black in America in 2024, and the socioeconomic complexities within the black community itself. Otherwise, what’s the use of having a platform like this if you can’t be real? 

[vanguard]

I'm fairly certain that there will be other characters on this show who will be mixing it up and schmoozing with the rich folks. Wouldn't be surprised if they enlisted ANOTHER black family who are not rich, but average working people to act as their counterparts. Think of it as the Forresters vs. the Spectras.

Edited March 11, 2024 by vanguard