Behind the Scenes Archives

Behind The Scenes

How is a television series made? Below is an overview of the elements and processes that are involved in bringing Atlantis High from an idea to a finished television show that will be broadcast all around the world. Click an element of the production overview below for more information:

Art Department	Special effects	Post-production	Locations

Casting	Animal wrangling	Make-up	Wardrobe

Stunts

Stunts

Stunts

Cloud 9 employs a Stunt Coordinator and specially trained stunt actors to perform certain parts that might be considered too risky for an actor.

First the stunt artist must have similar looks to the actor they are portraying. Stunt artists are professionals and often have great skills in particular fields. Some might be great horse riders, gymnists or martial arts experts.

They bring excitement to risky scenes.

The stunt is rehearsed and carefully guided by the Stunt Coordinator. Mats are used to soften any falls and safety stunt1 establishing shot precautions are used throughout.

An establishing shot of the actor is shot before and after the scene and the stunt person fills in the middle.

When these scenes are cut together it is often difficult to tell that two different people have played the part.

Wardrobe

Wardrobe

– The wardrobe team consists of designers, pattern makers, seamstresses, and wardrobe representatives on set to ensure the costumes are fitted and sitting appropriately for all scenes.– Their task was to create unique ‘looks’ for several superheroes and villains and a range of weird, classy and eccentric characters. Commander Vermont, while adopting a military/combat style, was also dressed in flowery camouflage uniform. Octavia was always immaculately dressed, usually in purple, while Violet had bright-coloured wigs and weird but classy costumes. Josh Montana adopted the all American college hero image, while his alter-ego, Silver Lining the Superhero, sported a tight lycra pink full suit complete with matching fluffy G string and pink cape. Sabrina was cast as the sultry sex kitten of the show and was always seen in tight and short hot pink outfits with matching accessories such as hot pink fingernails and high hot pink shoes.

– The Aliens’ costumes included a specially adapted tail that poked through the back of the spaceship seat. They also had webbed feet and reptile-like skin costumes.

wardrobe All costumes were crucial in identifying the characters. Colour was a huge aspect when designing costumes and some characters wore colours that identified their personalities:

-Octavia – Purple
-Jet – Blue
-Sabrina – Hot pink
-Josh (Silver Lining superhero) – Hot pink-Anthony/Antonia – Turquoise/Red
-Violet – wigs
-Beanie – Blue

-The specialist costumes were created in-house with ‘tacky and spoofy’ accessories added for special effect, while other more plain and unadorned garments were purchased through local stores.

Make Up

Make up

– During the making of a television series, the Makeup Department are given special designs and instructions to recreate a professional and special ‘look’ required by the Executive Producers. They then use their specialist skills and techniques to enhance that image. Atlantis High required a bronzed and tanned image which meant the cast had to be body washed with a fake tan. The extras were also covered in a beige/bronze makeup for that tanned effect. Bright lipsticks and blush were also used on the “extras” in order to create a glowing and rosy ‘look’.– Other interesting features the Makeup Department had to recreate were latex body parts, i.e. noses and ears. For example, Violet had a nose made entirely of latex, which, while looking real, was also meant to look as fake as possible for better effect and to enhance the gag! At one point she even ripped her nose off!

make-up2 – Beanie had ears that protruded way beyond the normal length. They were almost alien-like and had to be attached every day before filming. These ears had to look real as they were an essential part of his bizarre character.

– The Aliens’ makeup was the most intricate of all and sometimes took up to three hours to apply. Heads were shaven and skull caps used to create that bald look and one whacky alien had his hair laquered into strange designs. Make-up was applied heavily to include special veins, colours, additional skin, and some actors also wore coloured contact lenses.

Animal Wrangling

Animal wrangling

A variety of birds, reptiles, insects, crabs, fish, rodents, a cat and a dog all had starring roles in Atlantis High as well as a huge and scary hairy spider and a rub

ber chicken. All the animals were well looked after by our expert wranglers (even the rubber chicken!) and none were harmed during the making of the series. The spider itself got first class treatment and was flown down to the Cloud 9 Studios from Auckland. Some of the animals had personalities of their own but all of them acted very well.