I’m in love with one of the newest Burn Notice promos on USA’s website (and I think it’s one that Spads hates!). I can’t tell if it’s just because their use of the song is so much better than the CW’s was in their first network promos or because I spent Friday sitting across the table from those three thinking about how ridiculously good-looking they all are… Maybe a little of both?

Yes, you heard that right, I spent Friday on the set of Burn Notice in Miami and it was pretty freaking fantastic. We did ten interviews in total and I then spent the weekend rewatching the entire first season because of the impression every one of the people we met had on me. I have so much more appreciation for the show now and that’s saying something as it was already high on my list of favorite new TV shows. Matt Nix was right when he noted that blogging is a pretty good sham (not his exact words, as his was the one conversation we didn’t get on tape). There’s no other reason why me rambling to all of you about the shows I love should result in amazing opportunities like this!

 
Which reminds me, before I get into my brief recap of the trip, I’ve got some words of gratitude. First, I have to thank Chrissy and Moira from New Media Strategies for the invite. At the time they didn’t know how much I love the show or how greatly I admired some of those involved (*cough*Bruce Campbell*cough*), so they couldn’t have known how much I was going to enjoy it. Then there’s Harriet and Brad from USA who were awesome and set up some great opportunities for us. (A special thanks to Harriet for answering my questions about the USA website and the logisitics behind it.) Then there’s everyone on the cast and crew who were gracious with their time and took care of us (directing us to snacks, lighting the different sets so we could take a peek at them, putting out tables for us, etc.) despite our interrupting their busy schedules (or, as the case was for a couple of them, their days off). Especially Matt Nix, Gabrielle Anwar, Craig Siebels, Artie Malesci, Charlie Guanci, Jr., Bruce Campbell, Sharon Gless, Jeff Freilich, Jeffrey Donovan, and Valerie Schields who all patiently sat down with us throughout the day to answer our many questions. And, I can’t forget the photographer, Glenn, who never once laughed at any of my poses.

Well, as you can probably imagine, transcribing ten interviews is no small task. Luckily I’m not doing it all myself as Eric from iGN had the great idea of sharing transcripts. So thanks to the lovely people who were there from TV Squad, Eclipse Magazine, Fanbolt, and the TV Addict I won’t have to do all that typying myself. However, that does mean things will be a little delayed as everyone goes through their tapes. However, I have delayed just long enough that I do have the first round of photos to share with you. Check those out below (click the thumbnails for larger versions) along with a quick run-down of our day so you know what kind of coverage to expect over the next few weeks leading up to the premiere of the second season on July 10th at 10/9c.

The show films in the old Miami convention center which was conveniently located directly across the street from our hotel. The inside, this huge convention space that they’ve converted into a working soundstage, is pretty amazing. In fact, it’s one of the things executive producer Jeff Freilich is most proud about. That the show came in and basically saved this historic (he could give you a whole list of things that have happened inside that convention center over the years) building and the hotels that surround it from being torn down. I’d have to agree with him. And a pretty common thread in our conversations that day was about how this is the one show that takes place in Miami that actually films the entire show in Miami, something the locals love and will hopefully help bring other TV back to the area. Anyway, it was just a hop, skip, and a jump from breakfast at the hotel to the stage and we actually arrived on set before production had begun for the day. They were just getting set up as we arrived which worked out well since it was nice and quiet when Gabrielle Anwar arrived to speak with us.

Our morning was spent talking with: Gabrielle Anwar who, you might be surprised to find out, finds the hardest part of her job on the show to be Fiona’s American accent; Set Designer Craig Siebels who explained why he typically spends 12 hours a day in a van driving around Miami; Stunt Coordinator Artie Malesci who told us a bit about the difference shooting stunts on Burn Notice vs other TV shows; Props Master Charlie Guanci, Jr. who’s got a bit of a MacGuyver vibe to him; and Bruce Campbell who rode by on his bike ringing the bell before he sat down and shared with us why he likes being the Sam to Jeffrey Donovan’s Michael.

Oh, and I forgot to mention we did all of this sitting outside Madeline’s house. They’ve replicated the exact house that they used for the pilot on their soundstage. The only thing it’s missing is a roof. It looks pretty amazing and I spent the entire day waiting for Madeline to appear, cigarette hanging out of her mouth, and demand we get off her lawn. Or maybe for her to call Michael and nag him about getting rid of those pesky reporters outside her front door. And, theoretically, I suppose that’s exactly what happened at the end of the day!

Ok, the exact order of the next few events seem to be a little mixed up in my head but I don’t suppose the actual order matters as what happened, eh? After Bruce left us, we got the chance to take a sneak peek at a scene from the first episode of the second season. It’s a great (and funny!) action sequence that I’d tell you more about but then I’d have to track each and every one of you down and kill you. I will say that it left us all wanting more. It’s another reason I re-watched the first season over the weekend, I had to satisify that need for more of the show! After teasing us with the clip, we checked out the various cars they use on the show.

They also had the hood of a car, riddled with bullet holes, propped up against the wall and you know I wanted to get down on the ground next to it and pretend like I’d been shot to death. I mean, what’s a set visit without me laying down on the ground for a picture?! I didn’t, though, as I was wearing a mostly white outfit and I suspected the floor would leave it with a greyish tint. It was during this part of the day that we first met the aforementioned EP Jeff Freilich. He came over and tried to convince us that they actually steal all of the cars they use on the show… He was really committed to selling the idea to us, but not enough to convince any of us.

It was around this time that we got check out the inside of Michael’s loft. It’s pretty neat. Amazing how much smaller it looks in reality than it does on-screen though I don’t even know why since it’s not mis-represented in any way. We did note that Michael doesn’t have a bathroom anywhere in the loft nor does he really have any closet space for the multitudes of outfits that he’s always wearing. Yet another mystery about Michael Westen… The background scenary that you can view from the windows in the loft and off the little balcony he’s got are actually huge curtains with night and daytime scenes on them. They just pull the appropriate scene into place before they film anything. What else? Michael’s fridge is kinda nasty and I really think the man should invest in some new appliances. He’s a talented guy, can’t he “liberate” one from somewhere?

Back at our table, we spent the afternoon chatting with: Sharon Gless who, for some reason, doesn’t realize how amazing she is; Executive Producer Jeff Freilich who also tried to convince us he was really Gabrielle Anwar before telling how Burn Notice brought him back to television; Jeffrey Donovan who amazed me with his willingness to stop and really think about his answers (which will be obvious when you see how well structured they were); and Locations Manager Valerie Schields who clearly loves both Miami and the show.

After Valerie left us to get back to work, we popped outside to take a look at the area set up as the outside of Michael’s loft. It’s kind of funny how it is just a set of stairs stuck on the side of a building. Of few of the others took pictures on the stairs but, you know me, I had to go all the way up and knock on the Michael’s door… what? He coulda been home, you never know!

And, sadly, that’s where our tale comes to an end. There was no time to watch them film any scenes which is the only bummer about the visit. I know others don’t find that as fascinating as I do but I love watching the actors in, uh, action. On our way out, however, we did pass them filming a scene with guest star Robin Givens. Oooh, I can’t wait to see what she’s playing! Don’t you think she’d be a great foil for Michael?

Ok, ok… stopping! This is way too long as it is and there’s not even any of the good interview stuff in here! Keep checking back for more from my day on the set of Burn Notice!! Not only do I have transcripts from each of the interviews as well as my impressions of each the folks who talked to us but I should also have some pictures of the whole group with the four cast members soon!