BAY STATE IS FINALLY LEGAL!

Hey, hey, scandal-lovin’ people! This is Liz Breen, Bay State writer and actress, comin’ atcha to kick off the 21^st season celebration!

So what is there to celebrate, anyways? Um… a lot! As a writer, I am confidant in saying that this season of Bay State is like nothing we have ever done. We are trying new things plot-wise and production wise. There are flashbacks, crazy car crashes, a fat pregnant belly and lots and lots of CASH MONEY!

But seriously, we are upping the ante big time. Each year, the Bay State cast and crew sees changes, new additions, shifting in roles and jobs on set, and each year, we all try to build on what our predecessors have done, take the characters and their dilemmas and make them even more badass. How do we do this? Well, we start with a killer script, of course.

Now, of course, to pull off a swell script, we need a great team of actors, producers, directors blahblahblah, but I’m a writer, so I’m going to obviously place the script above all that (because this is my guest blog entry, damnit!) Plus, writing the script is a pretty laborious process. Those other production peeps have it easy. It’s the pre-production folks that have it hard.

How do we come up with the crazy plotlines and character arcs for Bay State? Well, honestly, it involves a lot of screaming. Yes. The writers and producers get in a room together, sit around a table and yell. Sometimes in excitement, but oftentimes in anger, frustration, in order to dismiss a stupid idea (there is such a thing!). Then, some angelic person makes a joke. They toss out an absolutely outrageous idea to make everyone laugh and lighten the mood, and then we all think about it for a second and think, “Hey. That could actually work.” So we tweak it, take some elements out, add some in their place. And it becomes edgy and cool and surprising and everything that you have come to expect from Bay State!

And then we go back to screaming! But at the end of the meeting, I feel safe in saying we all have left feeling like we all worked together to bring Bay State a small step forward. Lost may have sucked after the first few seasons, but we are still going strong. Furthermore, that is why we should win the Telly again this year. Oh, wait! This isn’t a campaign post (or is it?)

So I hope this has been an illuminating experience for all you unfortunate non-creative types who have never known the joys and agonies of writing a script (and I didn’t even touch on the revision process! Imagine that!)

But I can’t just leave you with that. You want more. I just know it. So you know what I’m going to do for you? I’m going to give you some teasers, a little sneak peak at our season, just to prove my point and to make you salivate!

CHARACTERS TO WATCH THIS SEASON:

1) Whitney/Aaron/Zack! Okay, so I play Whitney, but I swear, those three got some crazy, messed up shiz to deal with! Whitney is pregnant with Zack’s baby, but is getting awfully close to her doctor, Aaron. How will this love triangle effect Whitney’s decisions concerning her future and the future of the child? Guess you’ll have to watch…

2) Aaron/Grace/Max Aaron and Grace are brother and sister bonded by a very unfortunate past. But where does Max fit in? Could he possibly be connected to this past? And what will happen when you mix a studious doctor, a diligent reporter and a murderer? Again… I don’t know. (Except I do.)

3) The “Poker Gang.” Proof that appearances are deceiving, especially as it pertains to Beacon Hill College’s local coffee shop. The former frat boys have turned to underground poker with the help of coffee shop owner, Hunter. And things are going great. Money is flowing in. Could things stay this smooth forever? Psh. No.

So... that's all, folks! That's my guest blog entry. I hope you were as amused by myself as I am. No, but really. I'll end this entry with a shout-out to Jenn Carroll and Anthony Cifone, who are to thank for the epic promo pictures (which I can't wait to make my profile picture on Facebook!) As always, keep your eyes on Channel 10 and http://butv10.com/bay-state for all the latest episodes (which I will again say are particularly awesome this semester!)

Summer Lovin'

SPOILER ALERT: the upcoming season of Bay State is going to make you laugh, cry, and probably become a gambling addict.

A lot of you have been asking about when the new episodes are going to be up. SOON! I swear. Liz and I are currently doing some postproduction magic, and we will be putting each one up the second we finish them - on the brand new Bay State Vimeo account, which means we won't have to wait until they are put up on butv10.com. Instant satisfaction. Except, you have to wait for it. Until then, check out some of these outtakes from last year's photoshoot!

Sexy sexy, Liz Breen. Danger: pregnancy curves ahead. Amirite?

Here's some other exciting news to hold you over until the new episodes are online:

* Episode 121 is nearing completion, and the readthrough will be during the first week of classes! I'm almost certain that it will be on Thursday, September 2nd. Mark your calendars.

* Auditions are going to be ridiculously early in the semester, and we need people to help hand out flyers for them at Splash, which is going to be held on Monday, August 30th at 11.

* Speaking of new episodes and new characters, here is an actual spoiler alert: descriptions of our FOUR new characters for the upcoming season!

Nora:
Nora is the tenacious student manager of BHC's tutoring program. But does she have the students' best interests at heart, or does she have her own agenda?

Lawrence:
Lawrence is the hot boss of BHC's beloved coffee shop, and he has as much luck with the ladies as he does at the poker table. But after the coffee shop is dealt a bad hand (...by the economy), how far will Lawrence go to stay on the grind?
Brandon
Brandon, a recovering gambling addict, makes an instant connection with Alexis, but how will she react when he refuses to be more than friends? After all, he's still recovering from his addiction to a certain frat boy.

Aaron
Aaron, a hardworking med student and intern at BHC's health clinic, takes a special interest in Whitney's condition because, well, that's his job. He also shares a name with a young pop sensation, but there's no relation. Really. There isn't (or is there?).
There's not.

i miss y'all
not just these two...everyone.

One last thing... The previously unreleased FINAL version of Episode 117, "Keep It Together."

Episode 117: Keep It Together from Bay State on Vimeo.

Now, you may think you've seen this episode... but you're wrong. The version on butv10.com/BayState is the rough cut, but here is the FINAL version of the midseason finale of season 20. It only took about six months, but here is the final version of "Keep It Together," which is awesome.


Realizing I Went A Little Crazy With The Red Text Color,
Anthony
Head Writer/Other Jobs

Putting the fun in funeral.

Hello Bay State Enthusiasts!

My most solemn apologies for having let this blog rot from neglect for these past few weeks. But fear not, those days are over! I'm taking over keeping this blog for Jenn, who has been having a lovely time in LA (and for those interested, check out the blog being kept by some of our Bay State-rs currently in Hollywoodland: LA State.) For those of us having a wonderful time in chilly Boston, we have some great updates to share with the world.

We've had three shoots at this point and they've all gone wonderfully, but in the interest of keeping current, let's take a trip to Levine Chapels for Sebastian's memorial service. Episode 118 brings us to the aftermath of the events at the harbor. Sebastian has been missing for weeks and has been pronounced dead. So the President of Beacon Hill College has decided that a memorial service is in order.

Firstly, I can't do justice to how gracious the owners of this beautiful funeral home in Brookline are. They let us film for free and even let us borrow a coffin! Unfortunately we were unable to document the coffin purchasing process so you're going to have to use your imagination: a dozen coffins, a tiny basement. We picked the light dome-top. It's what Sebastian would have wanted. Soon we all began to gather and get ready for the shoot. This was our space:


All the actors were incredibly gracious and possibly too enthusiastic for a memorial service, but we appreciated the sentiment anyway. Especially Laura, who brought snacks:


Of course our special guest of the night was Dean Elmore, reprising his role as the sneaky President Bennett. Bennett's words, they were unconventional for a memorial service, were they not? Dean Elmore was as always a passionate addition to our cast and we look forward to seeing what nefarious plan he may or may not be up to!


We were truly blessed with a great set for our filming. It was a fairly lighthearted atmosphere, but there were moments that were slightly more solemn:




In the end, our filming was quite efficient, we even got out in time for those of us who are so inclined to catch the season premiere of Lost! We have a lot of Lost fans in our cast and crew (and some of us who just love to hate it, LIZ).

Finally, the OBLIGATORY TAYLOR BLOG PICTURE:



Good night, ya'll. See you all tomorrow for the episode 119 read-through!

-- Alex Amadeo
Head Writer

Thank yous.

As promised, audience shot! Picture's worth a thousand speeches.

So...the Gala was a raging success. Thank you to everyone who came, everyone who dressed up, and everyone who was part of Episodes 115-117, they are truly some magnificent episodes.

Lauren introduced the Associate Producers, who led the evening.

Thank yous and gifts were given to everyone (sadly) leaving the show: Madelyn, Haley, me, and Laur.

Laur and I love the Castle...so fitting to end our BS careers here.

We've said for years that this is Bay State's golden age, and I hope it continues this way for years to come. We're submitting Episodes 114 and 117 to the College Emmys and the Tellys, so...cross your fingers for Bay State! The newest episodes are online already at butv10.com/baystate, and hopefully 117 will be up soon.

As the semester comes to a close, I'd like to reiterate how thankful I am to be a part of this show.


Reflecting on the past three and half years, it's been a quite the journey. If I can give advice to any aspiring PA, I would say: do everything that you can. Having been part of the writing, production, and editing teams, I've learned so much from this soap opera. It won't be easy, but if you can get through writing/editing auditions, both positions are so fun and rewarding. And, as I've said 100 times, being Director of Bay State was the most fulfilling and wonderful and exhausting job I have ever had.

So, it looks like this is my last blog post--at least until Amadeo starts requesting Alumni Guest Blogs. Hint. I've been thinking a lot about firsts and lasts, lately. The first Bay State shoot that Lauren and I ever went to--way back in 2006--was Mason's room, the ones with Emily and the famous line, "With all the pot smoking, I'm infertile!" How different in tone than our last shoot, and how much more difficult a production, with twelve scenes and six sets?

Reppin' the Bay State gear in the mid-Atlantic.

And then, at the viewing party last night, I remembered the first scene I ever edited: one of the frat basement scenes with Brock and James, the ol' "I always thought bonds of brotherhood sounded hot" scene. Last week, I edited my final scene--the montage at the end of Episode 117. I still have Nick Lattanzi's "Wired Cold" stuck in my head.

As different as some firsts and lasts have been, it's funny how things can be so cyclical. The first scenes I ever wrote were for the frat storyline in 108, specifically the "You can keep your job, but I'm going to need to take that baby" scene. I believe the treatment said, "Nick and Davis enter the newsroom, and let Ben know that the frat is taking over," but once I had the idea that Nick might take Lily...I had to write it, and for some reason, the rest of the writing staff went with it. So, advice to our latest writing staff: don't be afraid to take risks in your scenes. The worst that can happen is that the Head Writer will cut the lines out, and there's no shame in that.

The Archives!

The last scene I ever wrote was the epic 114 scene in the Archives. How fitting, as the serial killer storyline was born in the moment that the fraternity took baby Lily from the newsroom in episode 108. I toiled over it for days and days...forcing Lauren to read every new draft, and help me get it down to nine pages. I'm so proud of how it turned out--the ridiculous things the writing staff asks the production team to do seems to be upped every year...but only because we know you can handle it!

Directing in 2007

But back to cyclical stories...the first scene I ever directed--during the trials--was the bachelor party scene in Mercedes' penthouse. I remember having six set-ups, because the scene had so many actors, so many extras, and hit all three of our cardinal themes: sex, drugs, and murder. Well, a kiss, a drink, and a slap...but still. A year later, the last scene I directed on a Tuesday was the album release party scene at Mercedes' penthouse. That one, too, had the kiss...the drink...and a near-death experience for our favorite burgeoning popstar, care of the serial killer.

Directing the costume party in the penthouse.

There were so many firsts that year--the first adult guest star in years, thanks to Dean Zamoljski, first lesbian kiss ever shown on camera, first full-Tuesday location shoot at the BU Castle. What a journey. I never would have thought we could redesign the intro, that I could take this year's promo shots, or that we could have nearly thirty people come to Sunset Cantina after a shoot.

Lauren and I working on the new intro--finally got the soap turns!

A year ago, I thought that I would never love any job as much as I loved directing, but being Head Writer has been SO much fun. I've loved every treatment meeting, every set of edits, and every read-through. Being able to take pictures every week and share them on this blog has been so satisfying--I love showing Bay State off to everyone I know. If I could announce to the world how proud I am of the cast and crew, I would shout from the rooftops until my vocal cords deteriorated.

Thank you all, for everything.
I know that after the semester abroad ends, I'll be graduating, but...
a piece of paper doesn't mean I can't come check up on you :)

love,
Jenn

As if the party were catered.

Hey Bay Staters!
Just wanted to get in a quick picture post of the semester's last shoot, since it was so full of awesome. Twelve scenes. Six sets. Who does that? Oh, right...the writers...with their ridiculous treatments...but we got it all done! On time!

First, we convinced two of the world's biggest Bay State fans, Dante and Nick, to be police officers.
They were so tough. It's gotta be the sunglasses.
Then, actors Alex and Valentina stepped it up for some seriously heart-breaking scenes.

Our PA's worked so hard all semester that I can't fault them for sitting down between takes...

...especially since Laur and I had the couch.
Actor James came to set and actually boomed for several scenes, because he's awesome.
And we wrapped up the day with a terrifyingly dramatic scene between Hudson, Claire, and Ethan. What a good way to end it--AND we broke down in 4minutes. Safely!

And, as we were having our final meeting, and Lauren and I were giving our last-day speeches to the crew, Madelyn showed up with cookies. Best of all ways to go out? I think so.

And then we all went to Sunset, making sure to pass by a certain poster in front of the GSU:
Because, OH YEAH, the 20th Season Mid-Season Gala is TONIGHT. At 6! At the Castle! And it's catered!

Can't wait to see you all there!
Because they are NOT arresting me on my Gala day,
-Jenn

Guest Blog: Alex, Head Writer!

Huzzah, two posts in one day?!

Our latest Guest Blog comes from someone you'll be hearing a lot from pretty soon...new Head Writer Alex! This is her third year on Bay State. She stood out as one of the best camera people as a freshman, and became 2nd AD during her sophomore year. By the end of sophomore year, she survived the toughest writers' trials I've ever seen, and--a semester later--she's training to be Head Writer.

My phone is ringing, but I'm not picking it up.

This could be for one of two reasons: it's on silent, or I recognize the number and I'm ignoring the call because it's my loan shark.

Wait. What?

Alex, sophomore year, adding her name to a long list of successful baristas!

No, I seem to be confusing Bay State with real life again. This happens a lot, especially since I've become a writer. The problem is that the world that the students of Beacon Hill College inhabit is infinitely more interesting than the real world. And having responsibility for this world is infinitely more interesting than having responsibility for my real life.

Alex and Erin, sophomore year.

There are ups and downs to this responsibility. Somehow it was decided that we would film two scenes from the next script for last Tuesday, a day which we have scheduled already seven scenes. This is where the Bay State work ethic comes into focus. A year ago four scenes was the norm, and now not an eye is batted at the prospect of nine scenes in five hours. Well... maybe a few eyes. Either way, the decision to film two scenes from a script that was submitted to me the previous day had me nervous. Between editing the scenes and discovering my best friend is a serial killer, I had a lot to deal with last last week.

Alex, rockin' out on camera, junior year.

Um... well, that last part may not be true. He wasn't a serial killer, he was a drug dealer. No? Aspiring major-league baseball player? Damnit, I'm never going to get this right.

Best Picture Ever.

Despite the constant blurring of the line between reality and fantasy, we've all come a long way. I joined Bay State my freshman year at the request of my roommates despite not being a Television major, or even a student in the College of Communication. But this community embraced me and I made a strange journey through different aspects of production to end up where I am today. Good timing, as this Spring marks my last semester in this crazy group. It's been calm, it's been insane, I've spent hours on the phone wrangling actors and have lost more than a few hairs on my head from those same actors testing my nerves on set. But, in the end, would I want it any other way? Tomorrow is the last shoot of the two people who got me into this mess, and I owe them so much, because without them I would not know the greatest group of people around. I owe them much, and I and everyone else will miss them so much as they continue their BU journey to Los Angeles. (I know what you're thinking: who replaced Amadeo with someone so... sentimental? Deal with it.)

Writer Alex celebrating victory at the read-through.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some meth to shoot up before I beat up my roommate.

Yeah. That one's right.

Alex, getting the TCB sophomore year for getting all the actors to the first shoot of the semester.

Thanks for blogging, Alex!
Can't wait to read your posts next semester :)
-Jenn

Picture Post of the 12/1 Shoot!

Hola, Bay Staters!

Apologies on the delay in picture post--blogger wouldn't let me upload for a while! But, bugs be gone, it's working again!

So, second to last Tuesday of the year, and we had a crazy day.

Anthony and Megan welcome you into a day of doom.

We started out with a quick montage shot in the hospital.

Jon gets his Dr. HP uniform on, and Kelsey and Gus are amused.

During the set change, I snapped a picture of Haley and Maddie--they're usually too busy working to mug for the camera :)

Whereas, Associate Producer Chris always knows where the camera is at...even acting this week! Our favorite anonymous frat boy.

"Oh, no!"

1st AD Taylor checks PA Ryan's shot, while AP (reverse of PA?) Erin watches the scene.

Two of our favorite BS veterans: Amanda ("Bailey") and Melody ("Camryn"), continuing to be awesome.

And, one of our fav new actresses, Torre ("Grace"), finally getting out of the Newsroom.

After tearing down Camryn's Apartment, we set up our next--and final--set of the day: the President's Office.

Dean Elmore, once again, blew us away as the potentially evil President Bennett.

Another Bay State vet, Madelyn, in a serious showdown with President Bennett.

Due to the crazy way we shot the scene, Greg was the sole crew member on camera. Solid work!

And then, when we needed a second camera, Maddie jumped on, 'cuz she's a pro.

And then, we were done! Sadly, it was Madelyn's last shoot ever, but we gave her applause!

And...we gave her the TCB. Good luck abroad and beyond, Madelyn!

Unfortunately, I don't have any pics from the location shoots (of which there have been FOUR in the past week), but there will be a LOT of pictures taken tomorrow.

And then let the editing binge begin! (Please notice that "binge" is just "begin" rearranged)
The Gala is this Friday, and we will be premiering Episodes 115, 116, and 117 at none other than BU's CASTLE! See you all there!

And afterward, we can go to my roof...I mean, Liz and Taylor's roof,
-Jenn