There might not be one answer for this, but why are movie scenes (and TV episode scenes, I assume) filmed out of order from how they happen in the final production?
General questions about movies, TV and more since 15 Jan '25, 12:00
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Answer: Fred MacMurray, of My Three Sons, filmed all his scenes for every episode first before anyone else in the cast filmed theirs.
Does anyone remember a commercial for a waterproof cell phone that had the phone coming out of the water while The Cars' "Moving In Stereo" was playing in the same manner Phoebe Cates comes out of the water in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"? Which phone was it for, and any idea where to find a clip of the commercial?
When sitcom TV shows have restaurant scenes, are these typically filmed in a real restaurant or is a set created?
Answer: Due to the logistics involved in filming, in most cases, a set would be created. In some cases, a real restaurant might be used, but it would involve compensating a business for lost revenue during the filming, obtaining special city permits, hiring police to monitor crowd control, etc. It is simpler and more economic to build a confined set.
The above is certainly true but a rare third option is filming in an old, closed business. The place is refurbished by the crew, it looks realistic and it is simple to move the action in and out of the venue. An example is the bar at the beginning of The Wolverine, set in the USA but filmed in an old, closed pub in rural Australia.
I realise that these details are vague, but I would appreciate any guesses. This has been bugging me for years. I don't remember the main plot of this movie, but it involves a teenage boy (perhaps a pre-teen) who lives with a mean older brother. Or another adult male. At one point, the boy finally snaps and yells at him: "She thinks you're pathetic!", referring to a girl who the mean boy has been talking to/flirting with. Then there is an explosion sound (and possibly a clip of an explosion). I saw this in the '90s, so it's at least that old.
Answer: I don't know if this is the correct answer, but every time I read the question, it reminds me of an episode of the TV show, The Wonder Years. Kevin, the little brother is annoyed by his big brother, who keeps picking on him. He tries to act "cool" calling a girl to come over, when the parents are out. He then berates, Kevin, that he's a real man, who got a date. He is later dumbfounded, when she doesn't show up. Kevin, at this point, explodes screaming the girl is not coming because he's pathetic and nobody likes him.
This might be it, because I was watching "The Wonder Years" back then. I will look up the episode. Thank you.
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Answer: One of the most common reasons is just efficiency. For example, say a movie or episode has six scenes that take place in an office, evenly spaced throughout the runtime. There's no point filming one scene in the office, then moving elsewhere, then coming back and setting up again, etc. It's far easier to film all the office scenes together, with costume changes, etc., as needed, then just edit them into place. Cast and crew availability is a factor too—if half the cast are needed in one scene and the other half somewhere else, film them both at the same time. Big stars might only have X days of availability, so they film all their scenes in a short period. Basically, there's very rarely a specific reason to film things in the final order when it's easier, cheaper, or more efficient to film them whichever way works best, then just put them in the right order at the end.
Jon Sandys ★