Bob Brandenburg interview

This whole documentary has been a blessing in disguise. Bob Brandenburg was one of the first people who saw the creation of the Nick Studios from ground up. In fact he was even responsible for the development of the studio tour and Game Lab. I got a chance to do an interview with Bob and he was more than happy to reveal all the gloriness of Nickelodeon in Orlando.

How eventually did you get started in showbiz and then Nickelodeon?

I started performing professional from the age of 17 and moved to LA in 1988 to persue a career as an actor.  I secured a job in LA as a Tour Guide at Universal Studios Hollywood.  It was that job that got me a job as the new assistant manager of shows and tours for the opening of Universal in Orlando opening in 1990.  My main priority was to cast and install the tour of Universals sound stages that ended up touring the brand new Nick Studios.  Universal opened on June 7th of 1990 and as part of my connection with Nickelodeon I spent much of that day in sound Stage 19 where the live Broadcast was being shot.  As of August of 1990, I resigned my position with Universal and started working full time at Nickelodeon Studios to produce the Tour from a Nickelodeon point of view.  That led to me do warm-up on almost all of the shows for about 6 - 8 years.  I loved it. 

 What was your first impression of the Nickelodeon Studios when you got there?

I first saw the studios in December of 1989.  it was still under construction.  In fact the steps that we walked up were just metal frames... the cement filling had yet to be poured.  The grounds around the studios was nothing but mud.  

It was such an exciting time.  I was there when Nick had a press event “discovering” the slime fisher in the front of the studios.  Gerry Laybourne, Geoffrey Darby, Scott Webb and Scott Davis were present for the event. 

 What was a typical day like being there?

There was NO typical day.  LOL there was always something different happening.  When big game shows like Double Dare or GUTS were in production there was always a great sense of excitement.  Seeing contestants getting prepped for the shows, mess being made, sets being built and the people.  The People were the best part.  SO many young people who were very excited and very passionate.  We were all in it together, learning, producing, laughing. 

Any celeb sightings you remember seeing as part of the grand opening?  I remember the sliming of Stephen Spielburg.  After being slimed he was asked what it felt like.  He responded that it was like having one of his kids throw up on him.  warm and gooey LOL 

How eventually was Game Lab developed? 

Game Lab began as a filler show put on Sound stage 19 during the christmas holidays in 1990 or 1991.  Greg Lee and myself shared the hosting duties.  Robin Marrella was also a co-host.  The show was the idea of Andy Bamberger, the VP of Production.  He thought it would be fun to have a live show where audience’s could watch us test games for future game shows.  Not only could people be invited in as part of the audience it also gave the tour guests something to look at in the tour viewing tubes.  The show was SO popular it was decided to create it as an ongoing show that would be featured at the end of the Tour.  That show became my responsibility along with the tour.  I helped create and install the show that Universal then continued to operate.  It was great fun and allowed all the guests at Nick to see what they really wanted to see... someone getting slimed. 

Back then Orlando was known as Hollywood East though it eventually went nowhere. Can you explain how great it was to have all the film production in the area and why it has decreased?

It was SO exciting.. not only Universal but also Disney MGM  (I also got to do warm-up for Star Search with Ed McMahon)  So many cable shows, network shows and films were being produced.  It really felt that the momentum would continue.  However, most executives of shows came from New York or LA.  They didn’t like having to travel to produce their shows and of course the talent pool of actors and technicians were not as plentiful as in LA.  So eventually things slowed and productions returned to being produced on the west coast.  

As an audience warm up person it must've been a blast to see so many guests coming to see a live taping. What is the best part about having a live studio audience?

I loved making them laugh and answering all of their questions.  They loved seeing our hosts and stars.  Hi Honey I’m Home was particularly fun with so many great Iconic TV stars appearing weekly, from Al Lewis Grandpa in The Munsters, Barbara Billingsley, the mother in Leave It To Beaver  (she actually was willing to repeat her famous Jive Talk from the movie Airplane)  others included Gale Gordon from The Lucy Show, Eva Gabor from Green Acres, Rose Marie from Dick Van Dyke show and many more.  So of my favorite moments were having kids in the audience tell their favorite jokes.  Occasionally they were a bit “blue” for our audience which brought even more laughter from the adults. 

Was there a particular show there that you loved visiting the set of?

I was always taken aback when walking on any set.  Nothing beat walking onto the stage when Double Dare was in production.  The Clarissa set was fun to visit.  I loved showing people the Mini ladder that the character same used to climb into Clarissa’s bedroom.   he would lay on a pillow until his cue came and then he’d flip the ladder and act like he was climbing up when in fact he was just three feet below. 

Nickelodeon certainly was on a roll with so many live events across the country in the 90s. Describe how different and fun Mega Mess-A Mania was.

Mega Mess-A-Mania was a result of the success of arena tours like Double Dare Live, and Nick Live with Phil Moore and Mike O’Malley.   This show featured two new characters, the Slimeologist and the gakmiester.  The idea was that we have a huge tanker truck filled with slime.  This tanker (an inflatable) hung above the stage threatening to explode slime all over.  The show featured hosts Mike Omalley Phil Moore and eventually Donnie Jeffcoat from Wild and Crazy kids. It was VERY messy and toured the US for a year.  I loved this opportunity and had so much fun bringing this to places like Madison Square Gardens which played in front of a packed ten thousand seat crowd. 

10. Have you ever been slimed?

Slimed, Pied, thrown in all of the obstacles during double Dare.  The crew enjoyed torturing me on the set when I was doing warm -up.  As fun as it was I hope never to get the goop on me ever again LOL  it’s kinda icky. 

11. Favorite ride at Universal Orlando. Past and present.

Back To the Future was always my favorite.  Now I’d say the Harry Potter ride is my fav at Islands of adventure 

12. What would you say caused the downfall to Nick Studios?

It was just too expensive and Nickelodeon had to find ways to reduce costs.  The Studios was a heavy expense for the network.  That was the main reason.  

13. Do you see a relatively difference in Nickelodeon (the network) then and now?

I still love this brand and continue to work closely with Nick.  This August will be my 24th year.  Every generation has it’s own relationship with Nickelodeon.  The network evolves as kids evolve.  Back when the studios opened, there was no internet, no smart phones.  Technology has changed Nick.  I think it is just as wonderful now as it was back in the nineties. 

14. How great were all the staff who worked there? I always hear positive stories.

That was the BEST part of Nickelodeon Studios.  Young energetic passionate people.  We were a family.  We had HUGE thanksgiving feasts on the sound stage every year and spent both work and free time together.  I still keep in touch with almost everyone via facebook.  It was something special.  

15. Favorite behind the scenes memory.

I was a product of classic Television.  My favorite moments were meeting the stars of sitcoms on Hi Honey I’m home.  I got to meet and interview each of the stars prior to the audience coming in for a taping.  I remember telling Al Lewis (Grandpa on the Munsters) that I grew up watching him.  He looked at me with those creepy eyes and said “I hope you don’t hold me accountable for the way you turned out”  HYSTERICAL 

Another great moment was when Vice President Al Gore came to the studios for the first Kids World Council.  We did a taping of Nick News with Linda Ellerbee.  

16. What do you think made Nick Studios so great and special

It was a moment in time. It can’t be recreated.  It was unique and it was the advent of Nickelodeon becoming the behemoth entertainment brand that it now has become.  We knew we were a part of something special and that stays with all of the alumni. 

17. Would you like to see it be reopened?

No… it was a moment in time that can’t be recreated. 

Philip Roos interview

Being a contestant on a popular game show seems like the most incredible thing ever! You have fun, win lots of rpizes, and be seen on TV. Sometimes we all wanna hear the parts of how a contestant ever got to be on the show. One person who was kind enough to share his story was Phil Roos, who back in 2000 him & his now ex-wife, and two kids got to be on Double Dare 2000. Please read on what he had to say about Nick Studios and all the awesomeness of the show.

1. How did you & your family get picked to be contestants on Double Dare 2000? My older son, Blake, had heard through his scout troop that there was a nationwide audition tour going on for the show.  It was their favorite.  The audition was on a Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island but we had plans to buy an RV that day, so we decided that, if we had time, we would head to the mall to participate.  We bought the RV and when we got to the mall (late) we ended up in a line of about 140 families.  The audition occurred in two stages: first, was what I like to call a congeniality cut.  The family is interviewed and asked to participate in a little challenge.  I'm assuming they wanted to see a bit more about the personality of the family and how well they worked together.  It was hilarious! The family in front of us was being instructed by the mom on what to say, how to say it, how to look, and how to do the challenge.  We just went in blind with the perspective that we would have fun no matter what.  They asked me what I did and I told them that I was a naval officer. They asked my wife what she did and she said she was a housewife. They asked my oldest son what he did and he just said "I'm what you call an indoor kid!”  My youngest son, Brenden, was too embarrassed to answer!  That answer from my oldest son brought the house down!  Of all of the families, they chose eight and we were one of those. We eight families participated in a single elimination contest in the mall with Jason Harris and news crews, etc to see who would win.  We won hands-down and it was so much fun.  The prize was an all expense paid trip to Orlando, Florida and Nickelodeon Studios to participate in the game show.  Over the course of that elimination round we also won caps and jackets and other Nickelodeon Studios paraphernalia.  

2. What was your first impression of the Nickelodeon Studios when you got there?   Nickelodeon put us up in a hotel near Universal Studios and on the day of the taping we drove to the back lot and actually, from the outside, it was pretty nondescript.  In fact, as we wandered around the lot, we came across the nose picker challenge from the game show on roller wheels outside.  You probably saw us posing next to that.  I don't actually recall how we got into the studio but I do remember that the crew was very friendly and we were very well taken care of as we were escorted to the changing rooms and Green room to await our taping session. 

3, What was a typical day like being there?  Apparently, the show tapes about four episodes in the morning and then for slobstacle course finales in the afternoon.  The reason for this was obviously to economize the use of the soundstage. In the afternoon for the slobstacle course, the crew would merely clean up and rearrange the challenges between takes. In fact, just before our taping, one of my family members overheard Jason Harris criticizing the crew’s arrangement of obstacle courses and the resulting difficulty for us to have any real shot at completing.  (we never really criticized that or felt the need to challenge that because in our view, that's just the luck of the draw!)

4. Were you a fan of the original Double Dare series prior to being on the new show?  My kids loved the show and watched it every single day! The reason I know this is because I was attending the US Naval War College and was working on a 75 page thesis at home that year.  The TV was to my back but effectively, I heard every show and occasionally watched it too.  It was admittedly pretty addicting!

5. What was host Jason Harris like off camera?  Jason Harris was great! He paid a visit to us in the green room and after the show we had a chance to say hi. We got a picture with him on his way out while he was eating a sandwich! Ha ha

6. Were there any specific areas or rooms at the studios that was cool to see? Nothing specific other than outside where they staged some of the obstacles.  I will say though that the soundstage was neat and that the audience for the show was actually very, very small. I would argue most of the audience comprised family members for the contestants. 

7. Describe the feeling of getting slimed.  Slime looks really bad on TV but as we were told, it's actually made of edible food stuff including applesauce and flour and other stuff. It was a ton of fun to get slimed, didn’t taste bad, was fun to dive through the gak vat, and basically, be a kid!

8. Did you ever get to go on any of the rides at Universal Studios Florida and if so what was your favorite?  As I recall we didn't get a sizable discount to go into the park after the show, but we still headed in!  There were two notable rides that we loved: first, dualing dragons and second, the incredible hulk.  My young daughter was super bummed that she couldn't ride on the roller coasters and after a few years, we had to go back so she could have a shot.  What a great park!

9. Of course the set of the show was huge and the obstacle course is iconic. Any type of prop you would've loved to own from the set?  Nose-picker - hands down.  With that little experience we had in the back lot seeing it all by itself yet knowing that it was so famous, that's the one I would want.  Besides, I have a picture with my family (especially my kids) next to it!

10. Did you ever get to hang out around Orlando and do some fun stuff or was it a short vacation?  What we did, was arrange to have Nickelodeon fly us to Orlando from LA.  So, we drove from Rhode Island to LA visiting family. We then were flown to Orlando and spent about five days with other family that came with us and it was wonderful.  We didn't spend too much time doing other events other than soaking up the game show experience.  We then flew back to LA, picked up our car, and with our winnings, took an extended trip all the way back to Rhode Island, blowing every penny along the way!

11. When you first saw yourself on TV how did you react and looking back how was the experience?  It was somewhat surreal seeing ourselves on TV, how the camera crews captured our reactions, and how we interacted.  What was neat was that the family that we competed against in the showing was also the family that we went to the finals with at the mall in Rhode Island.  We almost felt bad that we beat them twice!  After the show, the dad told us that he inquired about auditioning for the show in Orlando even though it was not all expense paid.  So, Jason Harris called it the battle of the Northeast during the show!

12. Do you still have some of the prizes your family won? I'm not sure if we have any of the prizes anymore. My wife at the time and I divorced unfortunately in 2008 and at that time we still had the air hockey table.  We had a year's supply of movie tickets – all used!  We won a small see thru green Zenith television – well used but not sure where that went!  We also won a Nintendo 64 game console that has probably since been sold or sent to Goodwill.  Although we probably don't have anymore of those prizes, they gave us immense satisfaction and joy for those years after our experience. Actually, I still have my Nickelodeon Studios double dare 2000 jacket in my closet here. Nice!

13. The live studio audience was a great factor and guests taking a tour could see you all filming. From your perspective what were the audience like?  As I mentioned above, I believe the majority of the audience were family of the days’ contestants.  If I recall correctly, some audience members were Universal Studios theme park guests.  They were pretty well coached on clapping and yelling and having fun, but they were fun in their own right.  One person that was truly amazing was Tiffany, the girl who was Jason Harris' announcer.  Do you remember her?  She was so wonderful to my family and absolutely adored my daughter! At least I think her name was Tiffany… Something with the “T" at least! :-)

14. What do you think made Nick Studios so great and special?  I loved the fact that Nickelodeon Studios revolved around slime and fun and wholesome family entertainment!  The game show relied upon equal participation from the kids and the parents and that is what made the show so special.  Nick studios truly represented family fun during those days and the memories are vivid and warm!

15. Would you like to see it be reopened?  I would love to see a new Double Dare show on Nick!

16. We see it on TV and think "oh i can do that in no problem". You must've felt that way too when watching but until you physically complete the obstacle course is it much harder than it looks from TV?  I would say that the obstacles are definitely harder than they seem on TV.  Before the show, I did plenty of research to try to figure out how to maximize the win!  For example, I learned that the true way to succeed with the gak vat challenge was to launch your self as far over the balls as possible and past the slime stream to keep from getting slowed down.  With some obstacles of course, there are obviously no secrets or tricks, you just have to push through them.  With others however, there is definitely technique involved.  The hamster wheel went faster in real life than I thought it would watching the show.  Oh, and after finding out that we were going to be on the TV show, I watched every single episode I could! :)

Thanks Bilaal for the opportunity to relive that great time.  Both of those small boys are now Petty Officers 2nd Class in the US Navy.  I’m a Captain.  My youngest, my girl in some of those pictures, is a Sophomore at GCU in Phoenix.  Time goes fast and experiences such as this are so fleeting.  I was so blessed to have this experience.  Just this past Christmas, my kids, my wife and I rendezvoused in Orlando for the first time since that great summer in 2000.  Magical and so much fun.  

Rich West interview

You never know how much work art directors and prop masters put into when filming a tv show is like but believe me what they do is fascinating. Rich West is certainly one of those artists who worked during the early years of Nickelodeon Studios and saw firsthand the continued success of it. In our interview below find out how much his job influenced how much he loves becoming set designer at theme parks and why the Nick Studios was a groundbreaking move in history. All for the documentary!

1. How did you become involved with Nickelodeon?

 In 1991 I was trying to break into the "Production" industry as a Designer. I was waiting tables at night, while interviewing during the day. I had somehow gathered up enough courage and "cold called" the Nick Art Dept. To my surprise, they set up a meeting for me. I put on a Suit and Tie (A quality not often associated with me) and brought in my portfolio of Art Work for review. The interview went well I thought, but ironically it was NOT my illustration and design work that got me the Job. At the last minute I had included a few photos of Model kits I had built thinking it might help show an additional talent (I recall including a model of the Spindrift from 'Land of the Giants' and an Eagle Transporter from 'Space: 1999'). As it turned out, the Studio had recently shot a pilot episode for a new series called 'Clairissa Explains it All'. In it, the character of the Father was supposed to be a somewhat eccentric Architect who would render his buildings in "Googie" style. It was also formatted that the character would build models of his crazy concepts at home. Although the models in my portfolio were store bought kits, this particular skill was immediately recognized as important for the production of the series which had just been green-lit for 6 new episodes. "Dad" would often be building a new model in episodes and I was given the job of chief Model maker. I also shared in the week to week general prop fabrication with another prop builder. After the first six episodes I went onto other Nick shows over the summer and was brought back for another 6 episodes of 'Clairrisa' before leaving for Disney's 'Adventures in Wonderland'.

2. What was your first impression of the Nickelodeon Studios when you got there?

BIG. I was also amazed at how extremely well set up the entire operation was. No detail, no equipment, no anything was left out. They had everything there you could possibly need to do your job. You would seldom have to leave the property to go get anything and If they didn't have it, they would get it for you. The Art Department was stocked full with reference books, material samples, art supplies, everything necessary for your job.  Each Sound stage had their own Tool Cabinet, but there was an even a larger 'Tool Crib' you could go to to sign out any additional tool or power equipment imaginable to do your job. The Studio had its own Mail Room for shipping, Kitchen for making slime, Sewing room. etc. etc. If a bomb were to ever go off, or the Zombie apocalypse happened, you could successfully live and survive at Nickelodeon Studios. 

3. What was a typical day like being there?

It was a standard 10 1/2 hour day as I recall. The first part of the week we read the scripts and broke down the fabricated props required for the new episode. It was then identified who would be responsible and fabrication would start. The last part of the week we filmed the episode. The Prop and Carpentry Departments were also located on the same Sound Stage as filming, just off to the side, which made it difficult. When camera's began rolling for a scene a loud bell would go off signaling silence on the stage and you had to remain absolutely still until they got the take. This went on all day. Not too easy when you're fabricating and using power tools. 

4. One of your earliest roles there was an illustrator for the game show Get the Picture. Is it an easy task at first to be on a game show where everything is fast-paced?

Actually quite easy. As an illustrator my work was produced weeks before they shot the episodes. Approved art work was then brought up stairs into Post Production on the second floor where they would edit it into the episodes. I was never on set.

5. Is there a bit of a difference between working on a game show and then a scripted series?

Absolutely. While both a Game Show and a Scripted Series have a standing set, the scripted series will usually require a "Limbo set" area. Scripts are usually written creatively with new scenes that take place off of the main standing set. This open area of a sound stage is used for additional set work, which means it has to be designed, constructed, dressed and lit in a very short turn around time. The scene is filmed and then struck for the next temporary set per the next script's requirements. I recall 'Clarissa' having a lot of new sets every week as there were a lot of creative cutaways . One that comes to mind is a dream sequence of Ferguson (Clarissa'a brother) in a Russian Gulag peeling Potatoes. It required a lot of additional work for what was probable a 20 second clip.

6.Orlando back then was shaped up to be Hollywood East but never lived up to it. How great was it to have all the film production going on in the area and why it has since decreased?

I actually moved to Orlando because of "Hollywood East". Then, after several years of working in TV production, I left and went into the Theme Park industry. I did this for two reasons. The first was my early perception that TV and Movie Production in Florida was drying up. Tax incentives for outside Productions to come to "Hollywood East" were being bungled by the State of Florida. The second and main reason is I found prop making and model building to be a rather bohemian lifestyle with sporadic freelance employment. I enjoyed making props for these shows and it was very second nature to me, but I preferred the challenge and more formal structure of being a Show Set Designer for the Theme parks. I made the switch in the late 90's and am still in this industry.

7. Have you been slimed yourself?

Happily not.

8. Favorite ride at Universal Orlando? Past and present.

I absolutely love the wonderful whimsey of 'Seuss Landing' at Islands of Adventure and In particular, the 'One Fish Two Fish' Ride. It's just so doggone happy and sweet. Universal is very good at thrill rides and dropping people from 80 feet in the air, but we don't often do sweet, simple and happy. Certainly not in todays market. Seuss Landing is filled with sweetness. The 'High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride' is just too marvelous for words!

9. Do you still own any of the props there?

I have many photographs I took of my model work and props at Nickelodeon before turning them over to the Studio. I also keep copies of all hand drawn design work.

10. How great was all the staff who worked there? I always hear positive stories.

I think we cut our teeth at Nickelodeon. Many of the people I worked with originally are still in the industry.

11. For Clarissa Explains it All was the pet alligator considered to be a prop and did it ever cause any chaos ?

The Pet Alligator was rubber. Close-ups of a real Alligator were pre-shot (only once) and then edited in to the particular episodes as needed.

12. What do you recall the most about the green slime geyser that was outside the front of the studio?

It was part of a whole different world. I was usually isolated on the Sound Stages and seldom saw the light of day, except for coming into work in the morning.

13. What would you say was responsible for the studio's downfall?

I had moved on by this time and was in the Theme Park Industry by then, so I don't really know. I had heard on the street that the Studio wanted to do more cost effective animation (Sponge Bob) and that this type of work was better suited to New York and L.A. 

Let me know if you find out why.

14. You may not be aware but how do you feel knowing that the studios and all the great 90s Nickelodeon shows made such a positive impact on fans and is still loved today?

 Happily amused. I grew up on shows like 'Lost In Space', 'The Munsters' and 'Space: 1999' and thought they were just the most magical things ever in my kid life. It never occurred to me that my work at Nickelodeon Studios would contribute to a similar impact on kids of that generation. In fact, this is the first I'm hearing of this notion. Wow.

15.  Do you mind explaining what you have been up to these days?

I work for Universal Studios as a Show Set Designer and Art Director. I have often been a designer for Universal's Halloween Horror Nights. Currently though, I'm an Art Director for the new Harry Potter/Diagon Alley experience that we're opening up this summer. (Hint; It's going to be HUGE!)

16. Favorite behind the scenes memory.

I was the Field Scenic Art Director for Universal's 'The Mummy's Revenge' and was given the task of designing the figural hieroglyphs throughout the Attraction's Queue walls. The small drawings I did on 11 x 17 paper had to be transferred full size onto the walls and the process to do this was causing the Egyptian figures to look terribly wobbly, like they were drunk. I had to come back in with a red pencil and re-draw on top of the full scale figures so they would be correctly painted by the Scenic Artists. There I was, very early morning, in the dark, the walls illuminated only by the spot light on my hard hat. The queue was so well designed that It actually felt like you were in an egyptian tomb and it was creepy in there. The next day I happened to be flipping through an Egyptian art book when I noticed something in one of the photographs. Red Lines. Very similar red lines to the ones I was making on my figures. As it turns out, Egyptian Priest would often take a red pencil and do final refinement on the hieroglyphs before the slaves painted them. I had been doing the same exact thing... 3,500 years later.   I should also mention, I placed an egyptian version of The Robot from 'Lost in Space' into the Hieroglyphs as a tribute to something that had inspired me to become artist. (I'll never tell where)

17. Do you think your experience being there was a learning process in terms of the work you do now in a beneficial way?

Absolutely. It was all part of an evolutionary process. It's interesting to note that the physical models I was building, I now do in a 3D program called SketchUp. The future is Fantastic!

18. What do you think made Nick Studios so great and special?

I think it was one of the first venues in Florida that offered many artists a larger than life opportunity to express themselves and cultivate a career from it.   

 

19. Would you like to see it be re-opened?

I love any opportunity that could potential inspire a new generation to know what they want to do in life.

Rich thanks so much for allowing me to interview you and being a part of this project. Be sure to let you when it is released and hope to keep in touch!

Thanks for the opportunity Bilaal!

Grady Bishop interview

Grady Bishop is a well respected stunt coordinator around Hollywood and Florida who has worked on a ton of different movies and tv shows ranging from 2 Fast 2 Furious to the Disney and Universal parks to We're the Millers. In the old days he made up stunts for the Nickelodeon tv series"The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo" and had the time of his life with the crew and at Nickelodeon Studios! Read our interview below and see him explain just how much fun it was and what went wrong with the show.

How did you get started in the entertainment business?

Started when I was three riding in Wild West Shows and Rodeo's

When you were approached to do Shelby Woo how did you react?

I was grateful for the opportunity for a series. The Prod Coord Norma Sardy called me in and Executive Producer Angie Bartenbach initial interview and Alan Goodman interviewed and hired me. Best Producer I ever worked for to date.

What was a typical day like at Nickelodeon Studios?

Family and team effort. Taking action to hire place than ever before without losing srory or credibility.

Do you remember other shows being filmed where you were at?

Yes I would run from Shelby to SeaQuest, to Fortune Hunter, to Swamp Thing, to Superboy, to Thunder In Paradise.

As a Florida native how great was it to have tv production going on in the area and why it has since decreased? I'm a native Texan where the work wasnt. Made the move to Florida to do Miami Vice Stunt Show at Universal and Indiana Jones at Disney between movie jobs.

I always hear positive stories about the staff down there how great were the people that you worked with?

It was a family and team effort. No egos in the bunch ever. Until the end when NY sent Jim Burns in. That's when all went to Hell in a hand basket and IATSE set up a picket line on show 8 of 13 that was proving we could shoot film without LA or NY helps. NY sent help and we died. As did the Studio which in now the Blue Man Group Dinner Show and the grave site of what once was Nickelodeon and family of Shelby Woo.

Considering Shelby Woo was a  children's show and high budget did that help for your arrangement in casting stunt players for the show?

It got larger each year. All Stunt Players were on AFTRA Contacts and paid well. Nothing like film but professional rate although we did it as much for the fun and teamwork than the money.

Were there any props that you ever get to see from the studio that looked cool for you to own?

I had couple for years. When we died I went to sound stage to pick up left stunt equipment. I sat in Shelby's living room and police station set and wept. I'm not to big to say I cried off and on for several days. I grew there had my daughter while there and built great relationships and had great mentors there like Alan Goodman, Norma Sardy.

What was the most fun action sequence that you got to do on the show?

All of em. But blowing up the house was the best.

The sound stages were very large there but the show also shot on location. Was that also an advantage in playing big action stuff?

The backlot at Universal was back then a real backlot was our best asset.

Were you ever slimed at one point or seen someone else get it?

Never me but saw numerous friends slimmed.

Did you have a favorite ride at Universal Studios Florida?

Yep but its gone Kong and Back To The Future and ET because their old school. 

There was also a studio tour where guests could look down above on the cast & crew working. How often was it that you could interact with them?

Yes we had fake film crew and did highfalls firegags shootouts on the lot and spoke with the guests.

Favorite behind the scenes memory.

Pre-Production meetings and anytime on set. Was warm helpful friendly supportive crew. They loved Alan the Cast and tasks handed us each week. Never the money was the story more than anything else we were rich in value of teamwork and friendship.

What do you think made Nickelodeon Studios so great and special?

The People the local people LA and NY were always jealous of us but always always liked working with us.

Would you like to see Nick Studios be reopened?

Everyday

The funniest thing that happened on set. 

Scared Director Chuck Vincent with life size fake alligator on set at 5:30am. Whole crew was in on it he never got me back but swore to. Great Director and friend. 

Do you think your experience at the Nick Studios was a learning process in terms of the work you do now in a beneficial way? 

Every Day Every Set. Will carry what I learned to the grave.

Thank you Grady for the interview. It was a pleasure. I'll show you the project once it is done. Thank you!

Byron Taylor interview

You've seen his name from the credits of all the classic Nickelodeon shows ranging from Double Dare to Finders Keepers to Nick Arcade to Guts to Weinerville to Figure It Out to Legends of the Hidden Temple and more! His job was titled "Production Designer". His name is Byron Taylor and you can just say he was the one who transformed the sets and colorful features of alot of different shows. Our interview talks about how he was involved with the creation of Nickelodeon Studios Florida to his shows, how big everything was, good times, and challenges.

1. How did you first become involved with Nickelodeon?

 I became involved with Nickelodeon completely by chance. I was at the blue-printer's with a friend and we ran into Jim Fenhagen who we had gone to NYU with. Jim needed someone to assist him. The other guy wasn't available but I was. It was supposed to be two weeks of drafting on a new show called Double Dare. The set was almost completely designed, but I did work on the Sundae Slide, the Wringer, and other stuff. About a month later it was being built at shops in Brooklyn & Manhattan. I then went to Philadelphia to baby sit during load-in. There was a certain degree of chaos figuring out how to do a show like that and I wound up staying through the first 65 episodes. 

2. When Nickelodeon Studios was first seen as an idea what was your initial reaction?

 My initial reaction to "Nick Studios" was: having a dedicated facility to produce the shows in would be a great idea, and a lot better than spaces we had worked in by that time, even though it would be in Florida! 

3. Were there any changes to the studio's final format than the one it was originally designed to be?

There were so many "tweaks" made to Nick Studio's original configuration that you could write a book about it. The stages and production support space was set early on using the same Butler Buildings as the other Universal stages. Each stage was supposed to hold two shows the size of the original Double Dare, which had started out in a 50' x 90' studio in Philly. This was a huge error since the most recent version of Double Dare was considerably bigger. The cyclorama was scaled to the original Double Dare even though there was about 30' to the overhead steel available. A "state of the art" automated lighting system was installed oriented for the two set configuration as well. This posed a problem for the rigging of all future sets. I could go on...

4. How exactly large was the studio?

Nick Studios stages were approximately 110' x 150', slightly larger than the other Universal stages. The 3 story Core Building was 80' x 200' and included space for the studio tour show.

5. The first tv show to produce there was Family Double Dare. What exactly did you change about the art direction than the original show?

I can't remember what show was first produced at the studio but some version of Double Dare had been shot the year before on one of the Universal stages with the biggest change being a bigger obstacle course area to go along with a bigger home base first used in Philly on the Imax stage where Finders Keepers was produced. 

6. Which set did you have the best time working on and which set was the hardest to shoot on?

 My favorite show to design at the studio was Double Dare 2000 (my favorite all time is Finders Keepers) but I also liked Legends, Roundhouse, Weinerville and even art directing Kenen & Kel and Shelby Woo. 

7. Since the budget set of Roundhouse was big was it an easy task at first creating the design of the show?

 Roundhouse did not have a very big budget and I reused parts of older sets to create the environment. The original concept had an actual working turntable to hold multiple sets that would rotate into view for each scene. We wound up painting a turn table on the studio floor and all the scenery for each scene was made from "found objects" and sheets of corrugated cardboard by Art Director Diane Stapleton & the crew.

8. "Guts" was filmed in the largest soundstage at Universal. Can you describe how the production layout was formed for all the pyrotechnics and "Extreme Arena"?

GUTS was taped on the biggest stage at Universal (100' x 200'). In later seasons it was basically configured wall to wall and grew to require an additional stage to store game pieces (as did Legends and DD2K for storage and prep). About 25% of floor space was given to the Aggro Crag at one end of the studio, and about the same for pool area at the opposite end. There were no pyrotechnics used in the show, just air cannons with metallic confetti, compressed nitrogen blasts and a lot of dry ice fog.

9. How great were all the staff you worked with in Florida?

The Florida crews were great to work with over the ten years the studios were in operation. And I've had the chance to work with a number of them on a shows subsequently shot at Universal like My Family's Got GUTS. 

10. Have you been slimed yourself?

The slimiest I ever got was when we shot a special episode of Family Double Dare with some of the creators of the show like Geoffrey Darby, Bob Mittenthal & Gerry Laybourne.

11. Did you have a favorite ride at Universal Studios Florida?

I only went on 3 or 4 rides at Universal the entire time I was there, so I never had a favorite but I liked Back to the Future.

12. Was the studio tour ever a hassle for you whenever you were designing the production or working on a show?

The integration the studio tour both physically and from a content point of view had lasting effects on shows produced there, while at the same time, the type & scale of the shows themselves changed. Nick started producing multi-camera sitcoms that took up an entire stage with multiple sets. The studio tour that wound it's way through the production facility (called the Core Building) necessitated the sets be oriented as much as possible to the long windows on the second floor that provided a view down to the stage for the guests. This was a real problem for shows that were shot single camera style like Fifteen and Shelby Woo.

13. Favorite behind the scenes memory.

There were are many behind the scenes memories at the studios it's hard to pick a favorite, but I'll work on it... 

14. What do you think made Nick Studios so great and special?

 The thing made Nick Studios so special was a combination of the growth of Nick as a network and the variety of shows it produced and of course, the people who contributed to them.

15. If given the chance would you like to see it reopened?

 The studios were never very sound proof, and that became evident once the Geyser was up and running and going off every hour! Now that there is a roller-coaster running by outside the stages I don't think they could be used for television production due to noise and vibration. And I think they are very happy in Hollywood and Santa Monica.

16. Do you know where the big props from the studios are at now like the giant Nickelodeon sign that was in front of the studios and the slime geyser?

I'm not sure what Universal did with the sign or the Geyser... maybe they're in the bone yard if there is room for one on their property. 

17. And the colorfulness that made the front of the studio was very unique & lively. How exactly did you or the staff come up for the colors that blended in front and inside the studios?

The studio facade decoration took awhile to develop and there is an early version of it shown in a large aerial rendering of Universal Studios hanging in Building 22 (the production office) still as of 2008. 

The actual Core Building between the two stages changed quite a bit as the Tour was developed and issues of capacity and accommodation were dealt with (if you bring several hundred people an hour to what amounts to a dead end at that section of the park, you have to provide restrooms, and if the there is a loss of power where the escalators and elevators are out, you need to provide an exterior stair from the second floor for people exiting the tube). 

Eventually, it came down to two design schemes for the exterior that were essentially collages, with the one implemented more architecturally driven that the other. 

Todd Talbot interview!

Todd Talbot played Matt Walker was a main regular on all four seasons of Nickelodeon's, first and only soap opera, Fifteen (named Hillside in Canada where the cast was from). If you were a die hard Nick fan during this time you might remember it but not a lot don't(Fifteen has gained a cult following since and is now getting a full season released to streaming). Matt was one of those high school jocks who had a sweet girlfriend but had one secret: he was an alcoholic; adding on to the crazy dramatics of teen angst! I did an email interview with Todd to talk about his days filming the third and fourth seasons of Nickelodeon Studios Orlando,what went on behind the scenes, and a crazy way it can get reopened today! Watch Todd everyday on HGTV's "Love It or List it" and make sure to visit his website toddtalbot.ca

 

1. How did you get the role as Matt Walker?

I auditioned in Vancouver along with a few thousand other kids, it was a long process that culminated in an on camera test to memorize the entire script and do it all the way through with a reader. I was dreadful but the reader made one mistake and I jokingly said that "I can't possibly do this if he can't get his lines right" and the producers loved that attitude and later told me that it sealed the deal.

2. Favorite episode that sticks out to you?

I haven't seen an episode in over 20 years! maybe one of the first because it was all so new! First kissing scene with Laura Harris. 

3. What was a typical day like at Nick Studios?

We would get there REALLY early, get into make up based on the call sheet. If we had some time off, we would run over to Universal and play on some of the rides. Other than that, we would hang in the green room, learn our lines, hang in the dressing rooms, roam the halls, spy on other shows shooting, regular kid stuff. 

4. Do you remember any other shows being filmed where you were at?

Clarisa Explains it all ? There was a show that had dancers and a motorized chair - really cool!!

There were some game shows...can't remember their names. I'd love to host a game show there now!

5. Considering that you were so far from home (Vancouver), what was one of the good things about living/working in Orlando?

The beach, the weather, Universal

6. Do you still keep in touch with anyone from the show?

Not really, I bump into a few folks here and there.

7. Have you ever been slimed?

No

8. Did you have a favorite ride at Universal Studios Florida?

I remember there was a flint stones ride, Also king kong

9. Fifteen was the first soap opera for Nickelodeon and definitely ahead of its time. How do you feel about it making a huge impact on fans today along with 90s Nickelodeon shows?

It was a blast, I learned a lot, if folks enjoyed it or get a kick out of it now that's awesome, I still have a hard time watching it. Very critical of young Todd!

10. Has there ever been any talks of a reunion show?

Not that I'm aware of, it would be a monumental task getting everyone together. Might be fun to do a reunion party!!

11. Another Canadian show that was imported from Nickelodeon to the U.S. was "You Can't Do That on Television." Did you ever watch that?

A couple times, we shot season two of Fifteen at CJOH in Ottawa and that is where YCDTOTV was shot, before our time.

12. Any other behind the scenes or fan moments that happened on set at the studios you can recall? What do you miss about the show?

Met Steadman (Oprah's guy) along with his daughter one day when they were on a back stage tour. I remember shaking his hand and realizing my hand could barely grip his gigantic hand! Cool guy!

13. I think that Nickelodeon Studios was a special place for kids and adults to interact with actors and tv shows and just have a lot of fun especially somewhere like Orlando. Would you agree with that?

I do, and now having two young kids of my own, I think they would get a kick out of something like that now!

14.Would you like to see Nick Studios be re-opened?

Only if they were going to shoot a show called 'Forty' The life and times of Matt after rehab!!

15.Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions about Nickelodeon studios Todd. I'll show you the project once it's finished. Take care!

Hope this works for you.

Kirk Fogg interview

From 1993-95 the Nickelodeon game show "Legends of the Hidden Temple" combined brains and athleticism. Kids would answer questions around history based knowledge while playing games centered around the history subject of that episode while the grand finale was going through a 3 min maze to retrive the grand prize called "Temple Run". I got to interview through email the host Kirk Fogg to talk about his experience at Nickelodeon Studios and why it should come back! Please be on the lookout for his website kirkfogg.com launching soon!

 

1. How did you become the host of legends of the hidden temple? 

 I was picked out of the Screen Actors Players guide then I went for the interview and had to do some play by action and boom they picked me....They didn't have much time to choose so I was lucky cuz I didn't have much experience..

2. What was a typical day like at Nick Studios? 
Typical day for me was showing up and walking around the set trying to figure out what the show was about.  I didn't get a lot of hands on guidance so it was a bit overwhelming due to the nature of the production.

3.  In past interviews you said that you had ran through the temple run yourself can you describe how complicated it was? 
Temple wasn't that complicated for me runing through because all the doors were open.  I just wanted to see if I could get through it under 3 minutes without passing out.  It's harder for adults in that you have to do a lot of ducking.

 4. Did you have a personal favorite team? 

I don't know. It changes.  But mostly I guess I like the Silver Snakes ....but don't hold me to it.

5. The set you all filmed in was huge. Do you remember how big the soundstage was?

Sound stage- pretty typical, large.  We had everything on it.  Moat, Steps and Temple.  It was huge.

 6. What was one of the good things about living/working in Orlando,FL? 

It was nice going to Orlando.  It's very chill there and it gave me a chance to relax(sometimes) and get my head together.  The people of Orlando were very nice.

 7. Do you remember other shows being filmed where you were at? 

When I was there they were still doing Double Dare, Figure it out(I think) and Guts(I think).  But during my shoot mine was the only show taping that I know of.
 

8. What was Dee Bradley Baker, who voiced Olmec, like in person and do you keep in touch with him? 

Dee is a very cool guy who was living in Orlando at the time.  Very talented. I encouraged him to move to LA for his career....nice move!

9. Do you happen to know where Olmec's statue is today? 

 I'm sure the producers have all the important stuff. I didn't get anything...:(

10. You may not be aware but how do you feel knowing that your show and the rest of the 80s & 90s Nickelodeon made such an positive impact on fans and is still loved today? 

Didn't really sink in until about 15 years later when the fans got older and began to voice thier opinions on social media...it's awesome!

 11. Alot of people wanna know this but have you ever been slimed? 

Never been slimed...ha ha

 12. Did you have a favorite ride at Universal Studios Florida? 

I remember liking the restaurant drive in movie ...not a ride and not even sure if it's on the Universal Studios lot.... In LA I liked the Back to the Future...which I'm not sure they still have.

 13. You recently starred in a Volkswagen commercial, how much fun was that? 

Love doing commercials.  The last one was great...shot it quick inbetween rain storms. Lot of people saw that one.

14. Any upcoming projects you're working on you can tell us about? 

 Nothing entertainment related to speak of at the moment but that could change... I am launching a website KirkFogg.com.   

15. Any other behind the scenes or crazy fan moments that happened on set at the studios that you can recall?

 No crazy fan moments...everyone was kept at a safe distance.  

16. What do you think was the best thing about Nickelodeon Studios? 

I liked the unpretentiousness of the Florida Studios. Less Hollywood(ish)

17. Would you like to see Nick Studios be reopened? 

It should and they should bring back the gameshows. Not sure what they are thinking.

18. Thank you Kirk for the interview. Definitely nice to hear from you. I'll show you the documentary once finished. Thanks! 

Thanks Bilall.  Sorry it took so darn long to do this... maybe it was better that you sent the questions via the email...Kirk.