Disney Channel Shows

Sonny with a Chance Episode Filming! :D

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For those of you unfamiliar with how an episode filming works, I recommend you stop and read about my first filming for Good Luck charlie before you continue.

For whatever reason, SWAC starts filming later in the day than the other DC shows. The scheduled time is 5:30, but it was more like 6 before we where seated inside. Our "warm up guy" was Ezra Weisz, who has to be the best in the business. I saw him before at my Wizards filming. Ezra's job is basically to keep us entertained between takes, and one of the first games he did was he asked people what they wrote on their facebook status before they came to the show. I saw this as a great opportunity to get to talk to him, and the group as a whole - so I raised my hand - "I've got a good one!" He seemed skeptical of that, but let me continue to say that I was going to write that I was excited to see him again. He commented and let me continue to say that everyone should check out the behind the scenes videos on his youtube. At which point he knew that I really was a fan of him and not just trying to butter him up. And then I mentioned the fansite: "That's sonny with a chance dot com, with dashes between the words" before sitting back down.

This was episode 222 "Sonny with a Choice" directed by Eric Dean Seaton. Eric has worked on many SWAC and GLC episodes, and I was excited to finally get to see him in action! It's also worth noting that this episode is not listed on Eric's website. I don't know if this was a last minute substitution for him, or if they just haven't updated the site yet, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Also, since this was episode #22, and two weeks ago Tiffany Thornton told me there where four left to film this season, that would bring the total number of episodes this season to 25, not 30 as some believed.

Now, I don't want to give away much on the plot. This is a major episode for the overall season two storyline and it wouldn't be fair to you all to spoil how it ends. In this episode, So Random and MacKenzie Falls are both nominated for the Tween Choice award for best Tween show, which causes some (additional) friction between the two casts. Frequent readers already know that Chad & Sonny start dating in "Falling for the Falls." The episode stills and Disney commercials already give that much away. But surprisingly, when the subject of Sonny and chad dating was first mentioned, there was a collective gasp from the audience. I guess they aren't as well informed as we are. Anyway, there was some serious Channy in this episode.

"Chad is a totally changed person since we started dating" - Sonny.

There was hand holding, Chad had his arm around her a couple times, both their casts knew, they walked the red carpet at an event together, and there was even a quick kiss. Definitely a Channy episode. There where a few "Awww" moments (one of which was cut, unfortunately) and there was one very powerful scene that I really must not discuss further. Let me just say this, I know I've been somewhat critical of Demi's acting skills in the past, but she blew me away last night. To film those intense relationship scenes right after her breakup with Joe? Amazing doesn't even come close.

At the end of our episode, they filmed a pick up scene for the Christmas special. That episode is a sort of behind the scenes of So Random, with Chad guest hosting SNL style.

My Sonny with a Chance Autographs

Following the last scene, the cast did the curtain call and signed autographs. By this point, it was almost 11PM and the crew was eager to put everything away and clear us all out of there. Sterling had to leave early to catch a flight so I didn't get a chance to speak with him again. I got Brandon's autograph but didn't get a word in as he was talking to the person next to me as he signed my picture. I got maybe five seconds with Demi as she commented on "how white" she was in the picture and I laughed and thanked her. I wanted to get a picture with her, but couldn't from where I was. Tiff was next, she saw me as was like "Hey, Greg! :D" And I was like "Yeah, I made it! :D" She signed my picture quickly and then had to move on to the next person. Finally, I managed to get over to where Allisyn was to get her autograph. She signed it quickly and I thanked her as they they where pushing us out. I snapped a few pictures of the set, but just like at wizards most of them came out blurry.

And I did win a trivia prize as well. The question was to name a member of MacKenzie falls, other than MacKenzie. A couple people guessed random names, so I stuck my hand up: "Portlyn! Season one, replaced by Chloe in season two." Needless to say, people where impressed. Ezra took a moment then to mention that I had a fansite to one of the showrunners. I think it was creator Steve Marmel, but I'm not sure.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I'm very glad that I was able to go before the end of the season.

If you have questions about the filming, please visit this thread on the SWAC forum to ask, and read what others have asked. Thanks!

Wizards of Waverly Place RENEWED for Season Four!

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OMG, YES!! It is official! Disney has announced the renewal of WOWP for a fourth season, AND they're making a SECOND DCOM! Of course, this second movie will almost certainly be the end of the series, but I don't think season five was gonna happen one way or another. Official Disney press release follows:
THE MAGIC CONTINUES AS DISNEY CHANNEL ORDERS FOURTH SEASON OF EMMY AWARD-WINNING SERIES "WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE" Development Also Begins on Sequel to "Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie," Cable TV's #2 Scripted Telecast of All Time Disney Channel has ordered a fourth season of its Emmy Award-winning sitcom "Wizards of Waverly Place," and is in development on the sequel to "Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie," cable TV's second-highest rated scripted telecast of all time in Total Viewers (13.5 million), Kids 6-11 and Tweens. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. Production on the fourth season is scheduled to begin in August with show runners Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio ("Married…with Children," "Greetings from Tucson") executive-producing. Todd J. Greenwald ("Hannah Montana," "Saved By the Bell: The New Class") is the series creator and also an executive producer. The script for the Disney Channel Original Movie sequel will be written by Dan Berendsen (Disney's "Hannah Montana: The Movie," "Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie" and the upcoming "Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam"). In making the announcement, Marsh said, "The Emmy win this past year confirmed what we already believed -- this is a cast of superstar comedic talent, backed by an inspired team of writers and producers." The series stars Selena Gomez (whose debut album, "Kiss & Tell," from Hollywood Records, debuted in the Billboard Top 10 and has since become gold-certified), David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise. In Season Four, Disney Channel UK star Gregg Sulkin ("As the Bell Rings" and Disney Channel's upcoming movie, "Avalon High") reprises his recurring guest role. "Wizards of Waverly Place" debuted in 2007 and won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program in 2009. A proven fan favorite, the sitcom has been lauded for its portrayal of Latinos and has won Alma, Imagen and NAACP Image Award nominations. Set in New York's Greenwich Village neighborhood, the series follows the Russo family -- siblings Alex, Max and older brother Justin, each a wizard in training, and competing with each other to determine who among them will get to keep their powers forever. They live with their Italian-American father, Jerry (who was once a wizard), and their Mexican-American mother, Theresa, a mortal (who prefers that magic not be used in the house). Alex's best friend, Harper Finkle, is the only friend who knows the Russo kids have magical powers. New episodes of "Wizards of Waverly Place" air FRIDAYS (8:30 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. A production of It's a Laugh Productions for Disney Channel, the series carries a TV-G parental guideline.

Disney Channel’s Friends for Change

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Friends for Change is so stupid. Remember the Happy Helpers club from Wizards? That's what Friends for Change is. Anyway, we're coming up on the one year anniversary of the program, and Disney's issues a press release about the pledges they've gotten so far and what they plan to do going forward. There's no Miley, no Emily, and no Selena. But they did make sure to include the Disney XD kids. WTF? Anyway, Disney Press Release Follows:
DISNEY’S FRIENDS FOR CHANGE: PROJECT GREEN KEEPS ON GROWING! YEAR TWO LAUNCHES WITH NEW VIDEOS FROM DISNEY STARS AND KID-FRIENDLY WAYS TO SAVE THE PLANET Nearly 2 Million Promises from Kids to Help the Planet; 2 Million Dollars Donated by Disney to Environmental Charities May 26, 2010 -- Burbank, Calif. -- What a difference a year can make, for the planet and for kids! Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green is celebrating its one-year anniversary with the premiere of all-new content. Starting May 30, new on-air messages will begin airing on Disney Channel and Disney XD. They feature nearly 40 Disney stars, including the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, as well as young environmental heroes. The spots will also be featured on Radio Disney and the recently redesigned program website, www.Disney.com/projectgreen. A Program with Purpose The aim of this ambitious movement is to empower children to take charge when it comes to the environment, whether it’s their own piece of the planet or a big picture approach. “With Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green, kids are discovering that helping the planet is easy and fun when they work together and have the right tools,” said Jennifer Anopolsky, senior vice president, Corporate Responsibility, The Walt Disney Company. “In just one year, participation has exceeded our wildest expectations, and we’re building on that momentum by extending Friends for Change to kids in other parts of the world and enhancing the program with fresh new content, local community events, and more grant money that will empower kids with even more ways to get involved.” Twelve months after the launch of Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green, kids have made nearly two million personal promises to change their daily routines, from unplugging electrical devices when not in use to taking shorter showers. Kids can also go global with their votes on where to allocate Disney grant money. As a result, one million dollars in grants from Disney are now supporting 25 critical environmental projects around the world. With the new videos and web content debuting May 30, young people will learn even more ways to recycle, save water, help habitats and reduce energy consumption. They will also have the opportunity to again vote on how another $1 million in grants will support worthy environmental causes throughout the year. Kids Making a Difference Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green is setting the pace for environmental initiative. With nearly two million promises, kids have pledged to: •Cut 70,000 tons of carbon emissions annually •Reduce/recycle 2.4 million pounds of trash annually •Save 120 million gallons of water per month Kids are also learning about the power of their vote. Thanks to their input, Disney has donated more than one million dollars to 25 environmental projects in 15 countries, including: •$50,000 to the National Resource Council to help fund a forest restoration project in Costa Rica. •$25,000 to the African Wildlife Foundation to help protect elephant habitats in Zambia. Kids can turn their own local environmental project into a reality. Disney’s Friends for Change grants, in collaboration with Youth Service America, provide seed money to help get them started. The next call for grant applications opens June 7. To date, these grants have positively influenced nearly 8,000 kids. See http://www.youthserviceamerica.org/grants/programs/friends-for-change for more information. Kids can also help raise money through iTunes downloads of Disney’s Friends for Change anthems “Send It On” and “Make a Wave.” At last count, nearly 700-thousand dollars, representing 100-percent of download proceeds, have been contributed to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. (www.disney.com/conservation) Full Speed Ahead Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green is set expand locally and globally in the coming year: •Local events in cities across the country will inspire kids through hands-on experiences, including tree-planting and clean-ups. The first event kicks off June 6th, World Oceans Day, at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. •Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green launched last month in Latin America. Kids have already made more than 200,000 promises! European markets are next in line. About Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green Disney's Friends for Change: Project Green is a multi-platform initiative that empowers kids to help the planet. Through the program, kids learn practical ways to help the environment, get their friends involved, track their collective impact and have the opportunity to help Disney decide how to divide $1 million in annual donations to various environmental causes. Kids can join for free at www.Disney.com/projectgreen

Disney Channel Ratings Highlights!

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Good Luck Charlie and Sonny with a Chance had very good ratings records last Sunday, including SWAC's highest rated episode in two months! Official Press Release Follows:
Weekly Ratings Highlights for May 17-May 23, 2010 Final National Ratings Disney Channel, with the Week’s Top 2 Telecasts in Tweens 9-14, is TV’s No. 1 Network in Total Day Four Weeks in a Row in the Core Demo Hitting a 10-Week High in Tweens 9-14, “Sonny With a Chance” Delivers its 2nd Best Ratings of the Season in the Key Demo Playhouse Disney’s “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” Ranks Among TV’s Top 10 Programs in Target Kids 2-5 Demo Week of May 17, 2010 Boasting the week’s Top 2 telecasts in Tweens 9-14 with “Good Luck Charlie” and “Sonny With a Chance,” Disney Channel was TV’s No. 1 network in Total Day for the 4th consecutive week in the key demo (472,000/1.9 rating – tie). • In Tweens 9-14, Disney Channel delivered the Top 2 telecasts on TV for the week: “Good Luck Charlie” (No. 1 - 1.6 million/6.6 rating, Sun., 8:30 – 9:00 p.m.) and “Sonny With a Chance” (No. 2 - 1.3 million/5.5 rating, Sun., 8:00 – 8:30 p.m). • “Good Luck Charlie” also stood as the week’s No. 1 TV telecast in both Kids 6-11 (1.6 million/6.6 rating) and Kids 6-14 (2.2 million/6.2 rating). • An original “Sonny With a Chance” posted the show’s best numbers in more than 2 months (since 3/14/10) in Tweens 9-14, standing as its 2nd-most-watched telecast of the season (1.3 million/5.5 rating). • Playhouse Disney’s “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” was the week’s No. 8 TV program in target preschoolers aged 2-5 (617,000/3.7 rating). Source: Nielsen Media Research (National Ratings, Live + Same Day, 5/17-5/23/10). Ranks based on 000s, then rating, unless otherwise noted.

Tiffany Thornton, Sterling Knight, and All Star Weekend Benefit Show

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Today Tiffany & All Star weekend did a benefit show for Falling Whistles, a campaign for peace in the Congo.

Tiffany preformed two original songs that she's never sung for an audience before!

"Sure Feels Like Love"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgQY0pB7X3k

"Texas Girl"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhJWXjk-vtA

She did an amazing job. <3

I was the only guy there, not counting the dads or crew! But the event wasn't very well publiced, so there where only about a hundred people total.

I met Tiffany before at the D23 Expo, but this time I was actually able to get a posed photo! :)

Tiffany Thornton and Me at Falling Whistles Benefit

And amazingly, not only did she remember me, she remembered both my name and my websites! Among other things, I asked her how many SWAC episodes are left to film (four) and congratulated her on her engagement.

Her SWAC co-star Sterling Knight was there too! I got a pic with him and asked him a question on behalf of the girls of the SWAC forum.

Sterling Knight and Me at Falling Whistles Benefit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvgWBopWutA

Maybe I have a future as a talk show host. LOL

Finally, All Star Weekend preformed - minus lead singer Zach (Or is it Zac? Zack? I dunno)

https://youtu.be/Z06ivFQw6GU?si=GWfGUBlqE_7GtoVp

(More All Star Weekend vids on my YouTube)

All in all, not a bad day!

I'll be posting a few more pics of Tiff in a couple days. I still gotta sort out all my stuff from the show! :)

New Disney Channel Series: Shake It Up!

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Breaking news! Disney has just picked up a new live action series scheduled to premiere this fall! Which, honestly, is kinda surprising. They're going to begin filming in July, which doesn't give them very much time before they intend to start airing the show. Considering Disney's obsession with musical and performance shows, it's no surprise they'd take an interest in a dance show. I'm just a little surprised at how brazen they are about it in this show. Anyway, the Official Disney Press Release follows:
DISNEY CHANNEL ORDERS NEW DANCE-FILLED BUDDY COMEDY SERIES, "SHAKE IT UP!" Disney Channel has ordered "Shake It Up!," a buddy comedy centered around a teen dance show, created by Chris Thompson ("Laverne and Shirley," "Bosom Buddies," "The Naked Truth," "Action") and executive-produced by Thompson and Rob Lotterstein ("The War at Home," "Ellen"). It stars 12-year-old Bella Thorne ("Big Love") and 13-year-old Zendaya. The multi-camera series will begin production in Hollywood, California, in July for a scheduled Fall 2010 premiere on Disney Channel. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. Marsh said, "Newcomers Bella Thorne and Zendaya make for one of the most likable and engaging BFF duos we’ve ever seen. And while buddy comedies have been around since the start of television, what makes 'Shake It Up' unique is that this is the first time anyone has incorporated dancing into the underlying premise of a sitcom." The comedy series introduces two high-spirited characters, best friends CeCe Jones and Raquel "Rocky" Blue, whose dreams of becoming professional dancers are realized when they become background dancers on the most popular teen dance show, "Shake it Up, Chicago," a gig they land thanks to their longtime and well-connected friend, Deuce. Between learning a wide range of new dance styles, navigating the backstage antics at the show (especially with their rivals, Tinka and Gunther) and their newfound social status at school, the girls are on their way to new and fun adventures, some that will test their friendship. Starring are Bella Thorne as CeCe Jones; Zendaya as Raquel "Rocky" Blue; Kenton Duty ("Lost") as Gunther; Adam Irigoyen ("Wizards of Waverly Place") as Deuce; and Davis Cleveland ("Good Luck Charlie," "Desperate Housewives") as Flynn Jones, CeCe's precocious younger brother. The series was created by Chris Thompson and will be executive-produced by Rob Lotterstein and Thompson. Rosero McCoy ("Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam") choreographed the pilot episode. "Shake It Up!" is a production of It's a Laugh Productions, Inc. Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.

New DCOM: Lemonade Mouth

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Well, it looks like disney is accelerating the production of DCOMs again. They've just announced another one, Lemonade Mouth, based on the book from Mark Peter Hughes. Official Disney Press Release Follows:
PATRICIA RIGGEN SET TO DIRECT "LEMONADE MOUTH," A MUSIC-DRIVEN DISNEY CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE Award-winning film director Patricia Riggen, who directed the critically acclaimed "La Misma Luna" (aka "Under the Same Moon") and this week presents her short film, "Revolución" at Critics’ Week in Cannes, will direct the music-driven "Lemonade Mouth," a Disney Channel Original Movie. The "Lemonade Mouth" script was written by April Blair based on the popular novel by Mark Peter Hughes. Executive-produced by Debra Martin Chase ("Just Wright," "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," Disney Channel's "The Cheetah Girls" movies), it will begin production in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in July. In making the announcement, Ms. Martin Chase said: "Having Patricia at the helm of this movie is a dream come true for me and a testament to the climate Disney Channel creates for a flow of new ideas, interesting talent, creative risk-taking and willingness to explore new areas -- all essential for our business." A native of Guadalajara, Ms. Riggen worked as a newspaper journalist in Mexico, then as a photographer, before moving to New York City to attend Columbia University's Masters Film program, where she pursued her interests in screenwriting, producing and directing. Her first documentary was 2002's "La Milpa," followed by 2004's "Family Portrait," which won the Short Filmmaking Award at Sundance and the Best Documentary Award at the Aspen Film Festival. Riggen's "La Misma Luna" premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and was quickly acquired for worldwide distribution by Fox Searchlight and The Weinstein Company. It was released theatrically as "Under the Same Moon" in March 2008, setting records for a Spanish language film opening in the U.S. It is the third-highest grossing Mexican film of all time in the U.S. and the fifth in its own country. Casting is underway for "Lemonade Mouth," a script about five teens from different walks of life who meet in detention and go on to form the greatest high school garage band ever. The ensemble features Olivia on vocals, Stella on electric guitar, Wen on keyboards, Charlie on percussion and Mohini on bass guitar, and their wide-ranging music, from pop to rock and hip hop to soul, ultimately brings them together as friends and inspires their classmates to speak up and be heard. The over 80 titles in the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise are the ratings success stories around the world. In the U.S., across all basic cable, the DCOM franchise has produced basic cable's #1 movie with Kids 6-11 and/or Tweens from 2002-09 ("Cadet Kelly," "The Cheetah Girls," "Halloweentown High," "Twitches," "The Cheetah Girls 2," "High School Musical 2," "Camp Rock" and "Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie," respectively).

Chelsea & Nicole on JONAS LA

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We already know that Disney has renamed JONAS to JONAS LA. Last week (05/06/10) Nicole Anderson let us know via Twitter that they've wrapped the season.
That's a wrap. Season 2, it was a pleasure working with you. Wow.
So, any thoughts on season three? LOL I guess Nicole and Chelsea are unemployed now. Okay, that's not true. Nicole still has a role on ABC Family's Make it or Break It. It's the only ABC Family show I watch (hot girls in lotards? heck yeah. ;) ) that hasn't been cancelled. And Chelsea Staub has that new Fish Hooks cartoon. Overly Dramatic Goldfish FTW! Anyway, here's to another season of a show with exactly two good parts ;)