Lights! Camera! Cue the songbirds! Cue the Squash! Aaaaand ACTION!
Yes, it is true. Two months ago, we filmed for FIVE straight days in my backyard for our Public Television series Growing A Greener World. As the Associate Producer of the show, it was my job to coordinate the 5 day shoot, including finding the guests, pre-interview them, acquiring permits, permissions and lining up all the locations.
But what made this particular shoot a bit more stressful was the fact that my garden was being featured (on 3 of the episodes we were filming). So I had to do my AP job while also getting myself AND the garden ready for filming.
Whew! I still get tired thinking about it.
The filming itself went well. The crew was supposed to arrive Monday afternoon and stop by to get an overview of my garden. Imagine my surprise when I opened the door at 11 AM only to find our Director and Lighting Director on my front porch with all of their equipment!
Apparently Joe Lamp’l (our Ex. Producer) had emailed them in mid-flight and told them to start shooting when they arrived! Funny thing about that…HE FORGOT TO TELL ME! It was a miracle I was even home!
So, I was a bit thrown off as I was running out the door to get food and wine (a very important element in a 5 day shoot). But I let the guys in to start filming 24 hours early. Oh MY!
Lucky for me, I have some very talented and reliable friends who not only picked up my kids from school, but also got the crew some much needed coffee while I escaped to run errands.
Meanwhile, I started texting Joe on the airplane (his flight was not set to land until 2:30 PM) and most of those texts and emails began with the words “I am going to kill you…and it will be a slow, painful death“. When Joe landed, he texted me that he was afraid to get off the plane. (As well he should be!)
But in the end, it was wonderful to have the guys here a day early as that gave them almost an entire day to film B-roll of my garden that we can use in many of our episodes.
The episode about me and my garden is called “Living Homegrown Fresh” (sound familiar?) and will be airing THIS weekend on Public Television. It is all about growing your own food, eating locally, and how I do urban homesteading in the middle of the city.
I was listening to the play back of what we just shot.
The team doing the “close” in front of my garden writer shed.
(Yes, this is where I write for the show)
Our host/producer Joe Lamp’l filming in my front yard.
We filmed at a farmer’s market to discuss eating LOCAL!
You need to check your local listings to see when it is airing in your neck of the woods. OR WATCH IT ON THE SHOW’S WEBSITE! We will be airing the episode (in its entirety and in high definition) on the Growing A Greener World website starting this Sunday morning, August 22.
About the Author
Theresa Loe blogs here about taking the garden full circle while striving for a more local, fresh-from-the-garden lifestyle. She is a TV producer, video host, freelance garden writer and a wrangler of chickens and children. (Not necessarily in that order.) For more information on these topics, you can subscribe to her free monthly newsletter.
Theresa Loe is the award- winning Co-Executive Producer & Canning Expert on Growing A Greener World TV. She blogs here about Living Homegrown®, local and fresh-from-the-garden. 
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I am soooo eggcited!!!!! I’m gonna be on TV-Love, Thyme (bet ya didn’t know your coop has wi-fi now…)
Dear Thyme,
No, I did not know my chicken coop had wi-fi. I am shocked. Please tell the girls that they are not allowed on the internet without supervision. I don’t want you to be downloading iTunes or something. Next thing you know, I will be getting a bill for a bunch of “Dixie Chick” songs.
~Theresa
I will most certainly be looking for it on my local station! Kim
First off, I LOVE the “Dixie Chicks” reference! Very clever.
And I love your post. One thing you need to make clearer is that when the boys arrived at 11:AM, it wasn’t just a few hours before the expected arrival; it was over 24 hours ahead of the plan. I know you went on to talk about that but sheesh, that move really did put my life in danger with you so we should make that point crystal clear!
We had a great shoot with you and we all love the show. You did a great job wearing all the hats and I’m glad we got a chance to showcase another one of your many talents!
Thanks for the opportunity. I think your fans will be impressed. I know I am!
Yes Joe – You are correct. I didn’t make that clear.
People – Joe sent the crew over to FILM a whole day early. I was working in the garden when they arrived.
Joe seriously almost lost his life over this one. And no one would have stopped me. They were as shocked as I was.
But it all worked out in the end. Whew. Joe lived to tell the tale another day…
Thanks for the opportunity Joe. Much appreciated.
~Theresa
Theresa — This is really cool! What a wonderful, crazy, fun opportunity! Your garden is beautiful. And I’m so impressed that you were ready (well, ready enough) a whole 24-hours early!
It would have been a honor to have my garden on any show. I do not know if, I would have been as ready as you were to get the crew but, I think that you did a fine job. You looked great on TV and I even taped it for my mom. She loves to garden, too. It is kind of exciting to really know someone who has been on TV. You are the closest to a star that I have ever visited with.
Thanks Jonah and Jessy.
Yeah – there were a few things I wanted to do to the garden before filming, but most of it was ready when they showed up. Whew!
It was fun to be filmed by the crew I work with everyday. A great bunch of guys and we had a wonderful time.
~Theresa
I would not like for the crew to come early. I would have asked them to come back latter. By the way, your flowers look very nice.
My wife would love your page. You sound alot like her except she would not have done as well as you did when someone came early. I can not wait to share this with her, I know that she will get alot from it.
I just saw this episode yesterday – I don’t watch tv much, but the show definitely caught my attention! I absolutely love your garden and I’m amazed at how much you put into such a small space! You’ve definitely inspired me and I’m putting this on my regular blogfeed – I tend to have a black thumb, so hopefully this will help!
Thanks!
Katrina
David and Charlie,
Yes, well…about the coming early part. I think I handled it well only because as a producer of the show, things always go wrong. ALWAYS! And I have kind of learned to go with the flow. But also, this crew is such a great bunch of guys! I knew they would make the garden look great even if I didn’t have it “finished”.
But when the director said, “Now can we also get some shots of you 24 hours early?” I said “NO WAY!!” LOL
Katrina,
Welcome to my blog! So glad you enjoyed the episode and you found me here. I am happy to help with your “black thumb” any time.
~Theresa
It sounds like you have a fun way of making a living. I was amazed at your graciousness letting the guys in 24 hours early. My house would have been in total disarray, if I had been getting the outside ready, so they would have had to stay outside if it was my house. LOL