Behind the Scenes: TV.com lands on the set of Jericho

LOS ANGELES--There is something about walking onto a television set where so many people have contributed to building the overall story, pumping the life into this fictional land and giving breath to the characters.

In one sentence: It makes me feel alive.

I got the opportunity to feel that way yesterday morning, when I drove up, parked with the rest of the crew of CBS's new serial drama Jericho, and hopped on the shuttle to head over to the set.

Momentarily, I am transported to Jericho, Kansas, and the main street that includes the Jericho Post Office, City Hall, the Kansas library, and the supermarket. Around me a multitude of people are moving, hauling cameras and gear, and setting up for what I can only assume is the next scene they will shoot.

Extras, wandering around in hospital gowns, are standing in lines and chatting quietly. There are earpieces and walkie-talkies attached to everyone's body, and for a moment the fun of my Treo pales in comparison.

I realized then that what I originally thought was just two parallel walls built along a side street is an actual man-made set with interiors. I noticed a big wall construction randomly placed, and I am told it needed to be mounted to hide the palm trees. Only in LA. Even the cement covering the street was created to simulate a Kansas street, worn and cracked, and the sidewalks were cemented only days ago.

The grocery store that we walk into is completely built out with salmon, deli counters, and everything from cereal to produce--and, of course, each piece is a fake prop.

The producer's and director's chairs are in the grocery store as well, carefully hidden inside from the intense sun and facing two monitors where we could see the crew moving items around the set. Then, we see the beginning tape of what eventually each home will enjoy as the show Jericho.

Karim Zreik wanders over and introduces himself as one of the producers. We chat about the extensive details of the set, and he mentions that everything was "built within the last five to six weeks."

I am overwhelmingly impressed.

He goes on to describe and show me the two stages that are the location of the interior shots thus far. There is a small area that serves as a mining hole (realistically complete with actual manure to give the cast something extra special to work off of).

There is another room that serves as a bunkerlike area where a few steel twin beds get tossed around and some fruit props are lying on a table.

With that, he promises a more extensive interior tour in a bit, but first we head back outside to watch Skeet Ulrich tape a scene from "Fallout" (episode two).

As they are setting up the cameras, Jon Turtletaub stops by. He is executive-producing the series and, luckily for me, directing this day.

"We met at the TCA CBS party. TV.com, right?" he smiles.

Just like there are some books you know you will not be able to put down once you start, there are certain people you instinctively know are talented. Turtletaub is just one of those people. He trails on discussing the philosophical concept of fiction, what it is and what it isn't, and ends commenting that, to him, "Jericho is not science fiction."

He is enthusiastic, lively, and confident--wonderful traits for a director and producer.

The pilot, which had already been shot, edited, and screened (aside from a few minor tweaks they are planning), was originally filmed on location in Fillmore, California. To get a better understanding of their shooting schedule, today they wrapped the second episode. Tomorrow they shoot the last day to wrap the third, and Thursday they move on to the first day of shooting episode four. This tactic was scheduled simply because the parking meters were installed only yesterday, and thus all exterior shots were pushed together and grouped to shoot day after day this week.

With that, camera B is set up and ready, and we're rolling.

Down the road, Skeet Ulrich, who plays Jake Green, drives up in the school bus I remember from the pilot. He jumps out, meeting his brother in front of City Hall, and they quickly discuss the situation. I can't quite hear what they are saying, not because I am too far away, but because a wind fan is blowing close behind me to make the leaves in the trees flow back and forth. They do only two takes from this angle.

Ulrich comes strolling over and introduces himself. I talk to him about shooting the pilot and ask exactly what the creators told him about his character's backstory prior to shooting.

From the onset Ulrich was given Green's complete background (something that is fairly unusual), which I learn will be revealed throughout the series. Both the audience and the town of Jericho will in time find out exactly where Green has been and why he returned to Jericho after such an extended period of time.

I also discussed with him the difference between acting in a serial drama (think Lost or 24) and acting in a stand-alone series (think CSI or Law and Order)--he expressed that acting in a serial drama is similar to "acting out a novel."

From there, I am introduced to the creators, Josh Schaer and Jon Steinberg, who explain that Jericho is a concept they've had two years in the making. Originally they planned on creating a small movie in the vein of 28 Days Later or Signs. As we start to discuss the premise of Jericho--multiple nuclear explosions in different cities suddenly occur simultaneously one day, and the people of Jericho, Kansas, are left to speculate about what happened--Schaer mentions, "Who did it, and why, is not the end of this story. It's about the conflict in the town, getting insight into those that are selfish and those that are selfless. There are heroes and there are villains both in town and out of town. There are numerous villains out there and some have yet to reveal themselves."

I am then dropped off for a few moments to visit with Stewart Schill, who is the editor on Jericho.

In a small dark room with a map of the world on the wall, he shows me what he is working on: the first few minutes of episode two, the very episode that is finishing its last shots right outside.

The editing is riveting, and I am reminded of how much the editor contributes to the overall story of a series. The edit is minus a few special effects that have not been added yet, but they are marked with descriptions of the end result. It is a bold start and guaranteed to capture viewer's attention. I want to see more, but unfortunately that is all that had been done thus far, and I will now have to wait to tune in on-air.

The amusing part of the production offices (which house the writers, producers, and creators so they can be close to the set during the day in case there are any sudden revisions needed) is that only days before, these very offices were used as the interior of the Jericho infirmary. Also, interestingly enough, years ago, a little show called Beverly Hills 90210 used that same Jericho hospital as the entrance to its beach club. The difference was a quick paint change (from green to white) and, of course, a new sign.

Suddenly, Stephen Scaia, the executive story editor, comes jogging out toward me, clearly excited by the opportunity to discuss his new baby (he heard I was headed his way). He describes Jericho as "a cross between Battle Star Galactica and West Wing."

He goes on to discuss all of the possibilities that could occur if a nuclear explosion were to happen. Here are some questions we can look forward to getting answers to this fall: What about money? When the lights come back on, what does the town do with people who steal? What happens to those who are unprepared? What about those who are prepared, like farmers who know how to be self-sufficient? What about the education system? We both recognize that these are tricky questions that have become more real to us all in a post-9/11 world.

I head back outside to find Ulrich trying on the steady cam (a harness that is strapped to an actor and firmly holds the camera steady to get a close intense shot while the actor is moving). If you've never tried one on it's like an elephant sitting on your shoulders, and if you're not careful, the camera can topple you right over. I had it happen on one occasion and needed two guys to balance me so I didn't fall flat on my face. He looks over my way, "You're next!" I shake my head and smile.

What I see on my visit is an enthusiastic cast and crew who are passionate about their new project and excited to see it to fruition, as am I. No one is outlandishly crazy (which is saying more than you would think), everyone works as they should, and they welcomed me into their Jericho family, if only for one day.

In return I will happily welcome Jericho into my living room every Wednesday at 8 p.m. as a must-see new show of this fall season.