Last week it was announced that an upcoming episode of the ABC sitcom Modern Family had been filmed using only iOS devices, and the entire story would play out on the screen of a MacBook. Today the producers of the show provided BuzzFeed with a look at how the episode was shot.
In order to make it look like the actors were actually holding the devices—without actually handing them iPhones, which they would then misplace—the crew decided to have a cameraman manage the phone, while cast members kept one hand on the cameraman’s at all times to create the illusion that the phone was actually in their own hands.
Executive producer Steve Levitan also revealed in the segment that the show has previously worked iPhone footage into its episodes, usually in the absence of an actual TV camera. It seem the best camera really is the one you have with you.
Modern Family’s all-Apple episode will air Wednesday night.
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If you haven’t already, go to the iTunes Store and look up Modern Family. The entire 4 minute clip on the behind the scenes shooting of Connection Lost is free to download, and very interesting to watch.
I’ve never watched this show, not one time, but for 2.99 an episode, I will buy this one. It’s not just because it’s done with with Macs, iPads and iPhones, but because of the creative efforts put forth by the Modern Family team to recreate what consumers take for granted. I’m a big fan of how television works behind the scenes, there is a lot of talented work behind it.