So we’ve been asked by the kind folk at NYTVF to submit some initial blog entries.  While we’re gearing up for cross-country travel and juggling projects and schedules with final print delivery (all very exciting!), we thought you might want to read two things: (1) our official “thank you” statement to the NYTVF, and (2) some answers to some interview/survey questions we wrote out for the NYTVF process.

First, (1):

The PIZZA TIME team is honored that the NYTVF has selected our pilot for the 2006 festival.  We are all very excited to present it for the first time to an audience devoid of any of our roommates and/or mothers.  (All of whom gave it "solid" to "very-solid" reviews, so you know you're in good hands.)   We also look forward to meeting our fellow independent television-makers and taking a look at what lies on the horizon of the TV landscape.

Finally, it will be an honor to travel from LA to NYC to finally get a great slice of pizza and to share the story of PIZZA TIME, which honors all the mom-and-pop pizzerias out there who know the true value of pizza to the American dream.

Looking forward it,
            Todd Holland, Executive Producer
            Scotch Ellis Loring, Executive Producer
            John Baumgartner, Director & EP
            Aeden Babish, Writer & EP
            Phillip Vaden, Lead Actor & EP
            Steven Klein, Actor, Producer, & EP
            Robyn Snyder, Producer

And, second, (2):

1:  How did you come up with the idea for your pilot?

Creators John Baumgartner, Aeden Babish, and Phillip Vaden worked together on a pilot for FOX, where they shadowed the director, assisted the writer, and acted, respectively, and their chemistry led to collaboration.  Once tossing around ideas, John tossed out, like a disc of fine pizza dough, the idea for a show about high-stakes pizza delivery.  And PIZZA TIME was born…

2:  Do you have any interesting/funny production stories or anecdotes to share with us?

Nothing funny ever happens on our sets.

Also: our hero scooter for Stephen was a perfectly working, wonderfully amusing prop – until it arrived on set, when, instead, it usually failed to start and frequently had to be pushed or pulled through shots.

Additionally: there’s evidence that the owner of the gas station had multiple personalities.  He was perfectly lovely and supportive when we booked the space, but he decided, while we were shooting, that “lovely and supportive” meant shouting at us throughout our shoot, walking through shots, and yelling “I will call the police!”  Fortunately, we had made friends with the police while arranging our stunt driving sequence, and we had a signed location agreement.  It’s a miracle of great sound work that you can hear that scene!

Finally: while shooting the above gas station scene, which had a very early call, a wonderful, starving, shaking little puppy wandered onto our base camp.  We canvassed the area to find its owner, to no avail, and instead fed the pup and adopted her as the set puppy.  After two more days of searching for the owners, it was official: she was adopted and taken home by the Best Boy Electric.  (She is now healthy, happy, and much bigger.)

3:  Very briefly, what entertainment experience does the producer(s), writer(s), director(s), and principal cast have?

Very difficult to answer this “very briefly” given the number of people involved.  The cast combined has years of roles on screens large and small and on stages across the country, including many high profile roles/projects.  EP Todd Holland is a leading television director and producer (THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, etc.) and Scotch Ellis Loring is an established actor who is a frequent collaborator with Mr. Holland.  Director/Creator John Baumgartner’s first feature, HARD PILL, was released on DVD and television in 2005 after a string of festival successes.  Writer/Creator Aeden Babish graduated from USC cinema school, has sold a “West Wing” spec script, and works with TV writer Kevin Falls.  Actor/Creator Phillip Vaden is an actor with numerous credits, including the Fox pilot that introduced him to the PIZZA TIME team and several films now starting to hit release.  EP/Producer/Actor Steven Klein is an award-winning actor and, as a producer, runs Firefly Films, which has numerous award-winning shorts with name collaborators in the can and has its first two features in development and fundraising stages (see www.fireflyinc.com).  Producer Robyn Snyder is the VP of Development and Production at Anne Carlucci Productions, and she has several cable TV and film projects as an independent producer, one of which goes into production at the end of this year.

4:  What shows and individuals have influenced you in television?

Certainly for this project: “Strangers with Candy,” “Reno 911,” “The Simpsons,” “Wonderfalls,” and, if you look carefully, you may be able to detect a trace of “24.”

Other influences of the team: “Arrested Development,” “The Shield,” “The Office.”

5:  Where do you see this series airing?

Comedy Central, TBS, FX, N

6:  Are there any other interesting tidbits or factoids about you, the cast and crew, or the pilot that you wish to share with us?

The core team includes, without specific reference: an ex-professional magician, a man who dreams of starting a world cup soccer team in Santa Monica, a man who abandoned a promising career in professional journalism to do this, and

 and one lone woman who could kick any of these men's asses.

7: What advice would you give those making pilots for the 2007 NYTVF?

Get as much input and feedback from TV development people you trust as early in the process as you can.

8: What was the most difficult part about making your pilot?

The need to shoot all 4.5 days entirely on location (in Bakersfield, CA) on a very limited budget.