Thread by @TomSchnauz

Today begins prep of #BetterCallSaul Ep. #509. Over next bunch of days I'll try to describe what that process is (without giving anything away).

First thing arriving at the studio, a Teamster told me, "Banks wanted me to tell you 'Go fuck yourself.'" So off to the right start!

We start the day in a van with our Ace driver Steve looking for possible locations to shoot.

In the van Day 1 of 509 prep is our Assistant Director, Rich S, who schedules order we shoot scenes; our location manager, Christian, who finds these amazing locations; our production designer, Mark F, who makes everything spectacular, & our amazing producer Melissa Bernstein.

Day One continued: We have a Concept Meeting. All the dept heads gather and the assistant director reads a breakdown of each scene. Initial questions, thoughts, concerns are voiced. And there's a big name tag to help show me where to sit.

Next we have a conference call with our outstanding casting directors: Bialy/Thomas in LA, Kiira Arai in NM & Kathryn Wamego for extras casting. We discuss what we're looking for with all the new characters introduced in the script.

And finally, we get to the best and worst part of Day One. The best: I begin to draw images of shots I'd like to get for each scene.

The worst: We talk about how to fit this script into 9 days of shooting & pitch what to cut out to achieve that (I don't want to cut anything).

Prep Day TWO: #BetterCallSaul ep #509. Start day talking (again) about what to cut/simplify to make our schedule. An ongoing debate...

Then we go thru script with incredibly talented costume designer Jenn Bryan to talk about what our lovely characters wear...

... then a look at some vehicles that will be in our episode, followed up by a meeting with our incredible Extras Casting team (led by Kathryn Wamego) to figure out how many background players we need for each scene.

Now back in the scout van to search for more locations!

So you all understand the pressure I'm under in Albuquerque, they took away the office urinal. It's under renovation. #BetterCallSaul

( For #BreakingBad enthusiasts, this is same bathroom Walt punched the paper towel dispenser in S2.)

Day THREE of #BetterCallSaul #509 prep. I ate a bagel with butter.

Then a location photo review & discussion how to modify locations to meet story needs, then...

Another review of script: working on what to cut, what to move from location to stage, to help us make our schedule.

Bathroom update: this is not the urinal renovation I was expecting, but I will make it work.

We're back in the scout van looking at potential ABQ locations for #509. A vast amount of prep is spent in a van, culminating in a Tech Scout, which we'll get to in a few days...

Trying to think of a way to describe the feeling of being driven around in a location van for days, but what this Russian artist is doing is close. #BetterCallSaul
nytimes.com/2019/07/11/mag…

For anyone still following daily details of Day 3:

During the scout we visited a set I've never been to, where the crew is currently shooting. While there, we went thru script with our makeup artist extraordinaire, Cheri Montesanto (who I worked with 19 years ago on X-Files!)...

... we talk about mood of scenes, time of day of scenes, what characters are going thru so Cheri and her team develop a plan how to handle our actors and extras when we get to our shooting days.

We also met w crack FX guru, Werner Hahnlein, & stunt ace Al Goto, to talk needs for ep, which range from simple to complex.
Another chat about vehicles w our transpo expert, Dennis Milliken; & then my AD Rich S & I gathered list of questions/needs for magical DP, Marshall Adams.

Day FOUR is a simple day. Back in the van to look at more locations. We look at lots of possibilities, some get rejected because they don't look right, & we try to find places close to the studio or other usable locations, because crew/trucks traveling eats into shooting time.

A warning to aspiring filmmakers: don't underestimate how much time you will spend in a van.

After this scout, alone time to work on storyboards & shot lists before some meetings about Art/Set Dec/Props.

Day FIVE. Back in the scout van(after looking at extras photos we're considering for background work).

We're visiting some established locations, & reason for that is to determine which directions I'm shooting so we can pick area to hide the tons of equipment & trucks we bring.

Today is the first day of locals casting. I'm amazed by everyone who comes in and stands in front of this camera and performs, because it is not easy. #BetterCallSaul

And this is just part of the process: you work hard on a scene to write it, visualize it, sometimes crew will start artwork, set design, etc, then a new draft comes out and all that's left of your scene is the word OMITTED.

DAY SIX. Tone Meeting. I sit with showrunner @petergould (via video conference) and go thru every scene of the script and talk about where character's heads are at, and let him know ideas I have about how we'll shoot and tell this story.

Day SEVEN. A rare light morning, so I'm doing laundry and storyboards.

Will review #BetterCallSaul casting tapes and try to make some final choices on our open rolls.

Day EIGHT. Different day, bigger bus.

This is the Tech Scout. All the department heads load onto the bus & we drive to EVERY location in the episode. We talk about what's to be filmed at each spot, so our experts can figure out where to run power, special equipment needed, etc.

I dropped the ball on completing this thread! Going into radio silence soon, but once the episode airs, I'll show set photos and storyboard samples. There was a slight schedule shuffle that delayed 509 start, but last order of business taken care of...

We had the Production Meeting. All department heads gather to make sure we know every prop, costume, special equipment, vehicle, background extras, etc. listed and ready for every scene, and so everyone is aware of order we're shooting scenes...

Last but not least, a costume review to make sure we have correct costumes for each character in every scene & a meeting with stunt coordinator @TheGotoCorp to make sure everything will be executed safely!

Thus ends this thread. Hope it was helpful & enjoyable. On to shooting...

You expect a lot of things as a director. One thing you don't expect is for a squirrel to get into a transformer and shut down power to the entire studio. In a holding pattern here at #BetterCallSaul...

Update: our amazing #BetterCallSaul electric department set up generators so we can continue filming on stage. Take that, squirrel!