The Quilt Show: Behind the Scenes at Magnolia Plantation

THE QUILT SHOW
is an subscription based on-line TV show hosted by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.

They are two energetic and talented quilters and personalities. My filming day was at the end of a very long week for them. A different location and two different guests shooting three segments each day. And yet they were all full of smiles and determined to make things run as smoothly for their guests as they could. And they weren’t alone! The entire crew was a delight to work with. I tend to be really fascinated by all the tech behind a production and they were more than patient with me. Yup – I’m one of those poking my nose into all the equipment and asking too many questions or spending more time watching the special features of a movie if they include anything about how it is made.

The show usually films in front of a live studio audience in Denver, CO. Once in a while they hit the road and end up somewhere beautiful like Charleston, SC. The Magnolia Plantation was my lucky site with it’s moss covered trees, beautiful vistas and buildings. I thought I had schlepped a lot of stuff but not as much as the crew! Here you see them filming one of the introductions on site.

Luckily we also had an indoor option which we gladly took on that chilly day. Inside the conservatory we chose where to set up the set, chose what to wear, and got all wired up and listened to by the sound guy! I can’t believe I can’t remember his name. Well – considering I can’t remember my own children’s names I shouldn’t be surprised.

I filmed a total of four segments (this was one on screen printing) and I hope you love them!  We’d set up one segment then   do a quick run run through with the host and producers. Lilo is the producer in charge of everything behind the camera. Shelly – who I managed to NOT get a single picture of, is the producer in charge of what is in front of the camera.

There was also a crew of fabulous local volunteers who spent the day helping out in every way with great big smiles. They spent hours sitting quietly and waiting and watching then jumping up like a hive of bees and getting whatever necessary thing done. They ironed, washed, moved tables, held up quilts, and generally were indispensable. I think they had fun. I know I certainly did.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe was my partner in crime/fun for the trip and was a fascinating guest to hang around and watch. I got to see a lot more of how things work behind the scenes and to see more of Victoria’s beautiful work. I’ll introduce you to more of her work later. You’re going to love it.

 And at the end of a very long day – this is how everyone felt. Time to go home.