I thought it would be super appropriate to share some insider photos from my visit to the set of Parks & Rec.
I know…how lucky am I to have a super talented, awesome friend that works in production at one of my favorite shows? Pretty darn lucky.
Let’s review. Tyler and I met in college while studying abroad. We soon discovered that besides owning the exact same camcorder to document our adventures we had a lot in common…like, we’d rather be hiking through the wilderness than drinking at a pub. And we’d rather go to church {which we did twice a week} than dancing at the clubs. To this day, I still consider him family.
So you can imagine how proud I am that he has struck out on his own and made it in LA. He now works as a production assistant on Parks and Rec. And I was lucky enough to get to go to work with him for a few hours.
Ty said I wasn’t allowed to show these photos from the set. Copy right stuff and what not. But I couldn’t resist. So, check this out. It’s me behind Ron Swanson’s desk. I know…it’s a little blurry. That’s Krissy’s fault.
I had to block out a little bit of the shot…So Ty wouldn’t get fired.
I can however show you these photos. From the office upstairs, where the magic happens. It’s where the writer’s come up with the hilarious scripts that make up the show.
1. In the offices there is tons of P&R memorabilia from the show. Posters, maps, props…but best of all Lil’ Sebastian.
2. Welcome to Pawnee! The bottom says {First in friendship, fourth in obesity.} I am in love with this show, because they do such a good job at poking fun at Indiana.
3. Pawnee city map. Fun fact. Pawnee is a map of Muncie, IN inverted.
4. Tyler an me by his desk. It’s so legit.
Here are a few things I learned about making TV. First of all…it is so much work. They do each shot about 10 times. Just to garauntee that the funniest stuff makes it into your living room.
Everyone works so hard. Ty pulls 12 hour days all week. Some of the cast shows up for work at 5 a.m. The hair and make up folks are constantly on call. It takes about a week of super long days to make one episode.
The set is so awesome. City hall is more than partial rooms build to look like a government building. It’s halls and rooms and offices. The detail is insane. Photos, vitamins, random objects all in perfect place to make the set look incredibly realistic. All the paper is headed with the Pawnee logo, all the photos say Pawnee City Hall.
Everyone’s hair looks extra big in person. Especially the men.
Amy Pohler is so cute and she has the silliest laugh. Rashida Jones is even more beautiful that you can imagine. Aubrey Plaza is super pretty and I heard her say some really awesome-random things.
Did I talk to any of the celebs. No. Absolutely not. I was blessed enough to be there. They were working. I was a random spectator at their place of employment. So I let them do their thing. And I just stood there…and tried not to make eye contact or get in anyone’s way.
1. Funny stuff from the office.
2. Celeb trailers on the lot…literally, trailers.
Happy Thursday Comedy Night Done Right {NBC}.
Amy
