Dashboard's MacGyver Reboot Update #8

Filming continues while Executive Producer Peter Lenkov works on perfecting the pilot episode. All week, people have been posting the billboard ads and posters over social media. Also, we got two new video clips!

(Spoiler Alert: To avoid spoilers, I won't post any revealing pictures, but you will get spoilered by reading this post or by clicking on the links provided!)

Working on Episodes 2 and 3
On August 15, StandIn James Grabowski was back on set for episode 1x03 and continued to work for interior filming. On the same day, Peter Lenkov shared a short video of MacGyver running like a gazelle. The sequence is probably from the pilot episode, filmed by Steven with a MacGyvered camera rig.

StandIn Mikey Leo showed us what staging and/or blocking looks like - complicated, I'd say. (As far as I know, staging and blocking is done before filming to ensure the correct distances and angles. The marks on the floor indicate the positions of the actors and the cameras. Every person has its own color; some actors actually prefer to have the same color on every production.) 

via Mikey Leo

Peter Lenkov continued to post several pictures of everyday items that might help MacGyver getting out of trouble - a paperclip (what do you see?), the SAK (better than a cape), a bobby pin (not just for hair) or duct tape (not just tape). He also praised the work of the directors of photography on the show.

Location Scout Gonzo Rey shared a picture of a creepy, but interesting new location while Chris Payne Gilbert teased us with a view of the door to Stage 6.

We know from earlier casting calls and Extra Joslyn Sky that there was supposed to be a scene of a Venezuelan Market in Episode 1x02. We might have been offered a glimpse of the set and a short chasing sequence by SkyDroneCinema.

On August 21, the agency of Jonathan Fritschi shared his picture on set while waiting for his take. The background is very interesting; but even more interesting is the floor. You'll recognize it in this short action-sequence that SkyDroneCinema has posted over a week ago. It shows four armed guys storming the building and getting shot. Overall, lots of guns in Episode 2.

Henry Winkler in the Writer's Room
August 17 was a big day for the Writing Team: Television Legend Henry Winkler (Executive Producer of the original show) paid a visit to the office on the Paramount Studio Lot in Hollywood. He also took time to pose for individual pictures; e.g. with Brian Durkin, Bret VandenBos and David Slack.

Let the Promo begin: Previews
On August 15, TVLine released two exclusive preview clips. The first one shows MacGyver keeping calm while planning a Houdini-esque escape because "he's got this". (It helps that he's got a paperclip ready.)

via TVLine

While I don't think the video captures the exact soul of the original show (or the inner spirit of Original MacGyver), this mini-clip still makes me laugh. It sure grabs your attention and peaks your curiosity if you don't know what MacGyver is all about. I don't know much about TV-Show-Marketing, but I think this is very well done to get new viewers to tune in on premiere day.

The second clip shows MacGyver in danger of plummeting off a skyscraper within the next few seconds. Of course, we don't need to worry, because "he's got this!" (Although we don't get to see if he actually made it out unharmed.)

Let the Promo begin: Billboard Ads and Posters
People have been posting pictures of the billboard ads and posters all week. Many hadn't heard about the reboot before and stated their confusion; asking if this was real or not. Others shared their dissatisfaction about the poster or the reboot in general. 

via Daily Billboard

Apparently, the key art was done by Little Giant Studios and shot by Brian Bowen Smith and crew. Byron Nickleberry revealed that Lucas had indeed been hanging with a parachute and that the shoot had been lots of fun. The Daily Billboard Blog showed a collection of the billboards from different angles. 

Let the Promo begin: Iowa State Fair
I was a bit confused when Andrew Bridgewater tweeted about MacGyver at the Iowa State Fair. A few hours later, KCCI News confirmed that CBS had set up for MacGyver Promo on the MidAmerican Energy Stage where people could win giveaways by playing a MacGyver Ring Toss Game. It looks like people were tossing duct tape rolls and paperclips instead of rings. Interesting form of promo to appeal to a young audience.

via KCCI News

Hot Environment
David Sutton shared some pictures about his work as a scenic painter. I guess this didn't happen for the first time, but it seems some of his work just got burned to ashes on August 19. On purpose.

StandIn and Photodouble Russell Snipes had joked about it "being a little toasty at work today". We soon got to see why as Peter Lenkov posted two pictures of Lucas Till and George Eads (or their stuntdoubles, hopefully) walking through a burning set. Definitely a hot scene. Chris Payne Gilbert revealed the dresscode that day - at least for the camera crew.

Cast and Crew News
An interesting character name popped up last week on IMDb on the cast list for Episode 1x04: Penny Parker. Soon, Bianca Malinowski (Halt and Catch Fire) confirmed the news herself; tagging Original Penny Teri Hatcher in her Instagram Post.

Carlos Guerrero recently wrapped his scenes on Episode 1x02 where he plays a ruthless killer named Alfredo. He shared a picture of him posing with Tristin Mays and Lucas on set. Extra Walter Tabayoyong just started shooting this week and shared a picture with Tristin.

Central Casting Georgia has again made several casting calls; e.g. for men and women for a retirement home scene (elderly people and conservative staff members), for men who are physically fit, intimidating and who appear to be Turkish, for attractive and hip people who appear to be Serbian (for a club scene) and for a caucasian boy and a girl between the ages of 11-14 years with braces. Interestingly, both kids will have to lean in for an awkward kiss in a flashback sequence. Another one of MacGyver's girlfriends, perhaps?

Writing, filming, editing
The crew continued filming at Underground Atlanta and MLK Downtown on Saturday. In between, the cast works on the script while Peter Lenkov is still editing the pilot episode to make it look perfect. I think we can all agree that the pressure to deliver a great premiere episode must be immense; so it's probably quite satisfying that the reboot has already inspired people on social media to share their fan art.