Set for Spongebob Live?

[S394206H]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 4:46pm

Does anyone here know whether the original Broadway set for the Spongebob Musical is being used in the live special? I assumed it was, but new pictures that came out today seem to show the more scaled-back set they are using for the touring production.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 5:06pm

Someone said in a previous thread it looks like a mix of both.

[Broadway Buddy]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 5:33pm

I really hope the Rube Goldberg machines are there. The second time I saw it, I was the seat closest to the house right machine. That was fun because there were some actors looking at me!

[Lifesmellsweird]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 5:57pm

Is it going to be actually shown live, like Rent and Hairspray and JCS? Or did they just tape it live and they’re showing it, like American Son?

[rg7759]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 6:10pm

what you just described is not accurate of american son.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 6:15pm

The set for Spongebob Live was custom built for the special. As Landau described on Instagram, it’s a mix of the Broadway and Tour set design. It does not feature a second level, but does include the passarell, and decor into the auditorium.

From the pictures I’ve seen, it doesn’t look like the Rube Goldberg machines are present, but I’m not sure how they handle those sequences on tour.

Tina said they spent a long time making sure the set fit the needs of the special as much as they could - while I’m bummed it wasn’t filmed in the Palace, I’m thrilled we got something. Can’t wait!

Updated On: 11/30/19 at 06:15 PM

[Lifesmellsweird]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 6:47pm

rg7759 said: "what you just described is not accurate of american son."

You’re right. I mean a pre-taped performance. I saw American Son in the theater and felt it was remarkably similar, so that’s why I said that. But I just mean, has it already been taped, or is it literally coming at us live?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 6:53pm

Lifesmellsweird said: "rg7759 said: "what you just described is not accurate of american son."

You’re right.I mean a pre-taped performance.I saw American Son in the theater and felt it was remarkablysimilar, so that’s why I said that. But I just mean, has it already been taped, or is it literally coming at us live?"

It was filmed the second week of November in Plymouth, England. (They literally flew the cast and crew to Europe to build the set and film). They filmed over the course of 5 days, including 2 or 3 live performances with an audience. I guess they’ve just edited nonstop, and it’ll be ready for next Saturday!

[S394206H]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 7:06pm

From the pictures I’ve seen, it doesn’t look like the Rube Goldberg machines are present, but I’m not sure how they handle those sequences on tour.
 

The Rube Goldberg machines are present on tour, but not to the level they are in the original production  They have two smaller ones that sit on top of pieces of truss on the apron, but at the show I saw they only used one of them  

 

[Lifesmellsweird]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 7:59pm

VotePeron said: "Lifesmellsweird said: "rg7759 said: "what you just described is not accurate of american son."

You’re right.I mean a pre-taped performance.I saw American Son in the theater and felt it was remarkablysimilar, so that’s why I said that. But I just mean, has it already been taped, or is it literally coming at us live?"

It was filmed the second week of November in Plymouth, England. (They literally flew the cast and crew to Europe to build the set and film).They filmed over the course of 5 days, including 2 or 3 live performances with an audience. I guess they’ve just edited nonstop, and it’ll be ready for next Saturday!"

Okay that’s what I thought, but I keep seeing articles about them getting ready for the live broadcast, so then i wasn’t sure. Wow that’s Interesting that they did it in England. Hmph... Thank you!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 8:42pm

How sad is it that it's still cheaper to fly the cast and crew to England and film there than it is to film here?

Updated On: 11/30/19 at 08:42 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/30/19 at 8:47pm

Sadly unions have ruined this country (and I’m in the actors union).

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 7:39am

SouthernCakes said: "Sadly unions have ruined this country (and I’m in the actors union)."

Feel free to give up your weekends, then. Also, dont forget to give back work breaks, 40-hour work weeks, paid vacation/holidays, sick leave, minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor laws, social security, workers comp, standard of living increases. . .and the list goes on. Those, and many more, are the results of unions. They were not standard conditions of employment. 

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 9:44am

Fosse76 - thank you for that perfect response. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 10:27am

I’m not anti union. My job is union as well. I just wish equity was more open to negotiations that allowed for more affordability when it comes to filming shows and recording cast albums. Purely for selfish reasons, I admit. I want to see more shows on film.

[Sampatches]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 10:46am

It’s not just equity there’s also IATSE and Local 802 (musicians union). . There’s also a portion in our contract that gives a commercial rate for filming that is fairly substantial. It’s cheaper to film over in England because the stagehands are not unionized and only make around $15 an hour compared to 2 or more times that on Broadway.

Also we don’t get weekends or 40 hour work weeks in theatre but i agree with the rest of your sentiments Fosse76

Updated On: 12/1/19 at 10:46 AM

[zainmax]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 6:20pm

Do you think anything could be done to make the situation better in the US?

Updated On: 12/1/19 at 06:20 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 9:44pm

Producers who aren't so cheap?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/1/19 at 9:56pm

I agree to an extend. There are a lot of benefits. But having worked on a bunch of Equity contracts ... we take a LOT of breaks. A lot. I guess I can see situations where it might be needed, but it seems excessive. 

I also wish Equity could combat the Non-Union tours by coming up with a pay $400/wk for something touring in like 3rd Tier Cities, or something. 

But you're right, there are a ton of positives!! So we shouldn't take those for granted.