By Leeah Collins, Contributor
The Eatonton Messenger
September 19, 2024

Filming for Fox’s popular medical drama “The Resident” came to Eatonton on Sept. 6 and 7. Most of the filming took place at Blackwell Furniture Company on North Madison Avenue.

Roads were blocked off, and civilians were not allowed on set. However, Putnam County High School students from the Audio/Video Club got the rare opportunity to be on set and observe the process. Students were able to get a first-hand account of what exactly is done on an actual set and how not just lighting and cameras work but how production works as well.

Audio/video teacher and club advisor Michael Crews learned producers of the television show would be filming from band instructor Julian Beckwith, who had been offered the opportunity.

Crews noted that Beckwith felt that the trip might be more beneficial for audio/video students. Crews agreed and offered the opportunity to a select number of club members, including Kasidy Miller, Chantz Armstrong, Chance Sapp, Alexandra Scott and Derek Hoopes, all of whom were excited for the opportunity and are passionate about the class and the art of filmmaking.

When asked what his goals for the visit to the set were, Crews explained that he wanted students to see “the pace of things.” “It can be pretty quick, and some of the procedures, as far as when it is about to film, as it is filming, there are all kinds of things that you just need to be aware of so that you’re not, you know, ruining things.

Also seeing some of the equipment that they would have, hopefully,” he said.

Crews wanted students to also understand that the film industry in Georgia is huge and that there are tons of opportunities here.

The audio/video classes and club mostly focus on learning how cameras work, editing videos, writing and learning about lighting; however, Crews also feels it is important for students to understand that filmmaking entails more than just people who can work a camera, edit and adjust lighting.

He noted that, in the film industry, they need more than just those people, they need “anybody.” “They need lawyers, cooks, medics, paperwork people, they need accountants – they need anybody,” Crews said, noting that’s why he felt the visit would be beneficial for students.

PCHS freshman Chance Sapp noted he felt the same way, explaining that he learned a lot on set. The one thing that stood out to Chance was how expensive it can all be.

“It’s not cheap. Just one room and they ended up spending $80,000 only to tear it all down whenever they were done,” Chance said. “That’s a lot of money.”

This is Chance’s first year in the class, and his favorite part, as well as what drew him to the class originally, is editing.

The same can be said for PCHS senior Chantz Armstrong. Chantz has been in audio/video for two years, and when given the opportunity to go on set, he took it. Chantz said his time on set was, “Really, really interesting but also kind of stressful with everybody running around and doing stuff all the time.”

He noted also that he learned “everybody has a role and they have to stick to that role.”

Senior Derek Hoopes described the experience in a similar way, saying it was hectic. One thing Derek saw that he didn’t expect was the use of a fog machine.

“The director wanted rays of light indoors, and to do that, you need fog to fog up the room,” Derek said.

PCHS senior Kasidy Miller had a similar reaction, but instead of the fog machine, it was the producer’s assistants.

“The one thing that stuck out most was how much PAs actually do. I really just thought they brought people coffee or something but it’s much more than that, it’s insane,” Kasidy said.

Altogether, students witnessing the action expressed that the experience served as a great learning opportunity. They noted that it was a way for them to see the industry they are so passionate about come to life, and that the experience wouldn’t be soon forgotten.

#TheResident #FilmEatonton #CameraReady #Eatonton