The Good Wife: On Location in NYC - Take Three

On Location in NYC – Take Three (Brooklyn Edition)
Featured Episode: "Blue Ribbon Panel"

On-site filming February 23, 2012 | Post Date: March 2, 2012 | Updated: March 6 & 25, 2012

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When The Good Wife takes to the streets of New York to film, you never know where they’ll turn up next.  Part of the fun of finding an on-site filming is that you get an inside look at how they transform New York City into Chicago.  During my latest expedition, I discovered an incredible area I’d never explored, including one of Brooklyn’s landmark buildings, not to mention an entire street filled with trailers devoted to The Good Wife.  Yes, this was the location where Matthew Perry was spotted… but who else was on site?  Let’s just say, it looks like things in Cook County are going to be heating up.

This was my third on-location experience (okay, the fourth, but the third time was a total wash, so I’ve decided not to count it) and this time I was taken to a world I haven’t explored nearly enough: Park Slope in Brooklyn, NY.  Just a few short stops from Manhattan’s Financial District, Park Slope is a gorgeous neighborhood full of amazing walk-ups, quaint streets and perhaps one of my favourite New York architectural finds of late: The Montauk Club.  This beautiful building, complete with stained glass windows and Venetian Gothic construction, was built in 1891 and is soon to be one of the sets featured on The Good Wife.

Of course, there are always so many things to spot during an on-location shoot, including hints on future guest stars, that I had to take pictures so I could share the experience.  With that, I present “The Good Wife – On Location in NYC – Take Three,” a photographic journey. I hope you enjoy!

The Montauk Club (2012) with The Good Wife crew setting up lights and other equipment to
shoot a scene on the main floor.  Based on descriptions of the interior of The Montauk Club,
I can only imagine how beautiful these scenes are going to be!

The Montauk Club (unknown date) - New York architect, Francis H. Kimball, was responsible
for some of New York's most notable commercial buildings that dot the city's skyline, in
addition to The Montauk Club.

It looks like our "judges in question" (Dunaway and Winter) from Will's judicial bribery debacle are
back on the scene, and based on the number of other guest stars roaming around the Montauk Club,
the final result will be truly incredible. 

(Top to bottom, L-R) - Trailer doors for characters: Eric, Russel, Forrest Burke, Trina Coffey, Fred and Pastor Yarrow
(Charles Dutton).  It's official: We know none of these characters.  That said, it appears whatever is happening with Mike (Matthew Perry) and Alicia (Julianna Margulies) during this scene, is also happening with all of these people, too.

Set up to shoot inside the Montauk Club.  If my observations are accurate, we're going
to see some stunning stained glass in the background of these scenes.

Interested in more information on the beautiful Montauk Club?  Check out montaukclub.com 
for a virtual tour and plenty of historical facts

As always, thank you to On Location Vacations for their great tips on filming sites around New York City.
For other fan photos from this taping of The Good Wife, click here.

Update

CBS just released photos from Matthew Perry's time on The Good Wife set, including a great image of the judges, Alicia and Mike (Perry) as part of a panel investigating a police shooting.  Here we see some of the amazing stained glass of the Montauk Club.

Episode: "Blue Ribbon Panel: | Photo courtesy of David Russell/CBS.com

What's Next?

Will's sisters arrive in town in episode 16, "After the Fall" (check out some behind the scenes fun with "The Good Wife: On Location in NYC - Take Two" for more details!) and he has to begin to figure out what the next six months are going to look like without being able to practice law.  March is also full of outstanding guest stars on The Good Wife: Bebe Neuwirth (guest judge) Matthew Perry (new attorney: Mike Kresteva), Michael J. Fox (the ever sly but insightful Louis Canning), Mamie Gummer (the somewhat conniving yet brilliant blonde, Nancy Crozier) and Dylan Baker (aka, Colin Sweeney, the murderer Alicia can't seem to get away from), just to name a few.  Whew! Forget about basketball, for fans of The Good Wife, it looks like we're in for some serious March madness!

Related to this article:

• Catch up on episode 15, "Live from Damascus"
• The Latest Briefs - All news that is news from the world of The Good Wife

The Good Wife: On Location in NYC - Take Two

On Location in NYC – Take Two

On-site filming, January 18 & 19, 2012 | Post Date: January 23, 2012

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One of the great things about living in New York is being able to get out and explore the different communities within the city.  When it comes to districts I like to frequent, Soho certainly tops the list.  It’s full of stunning cast-iron architecture, art galleries, restaurants and, best of all, shopping.  Okay, the amazing stores were the best part of Soho until The Good Wife rolled into the neighbourhood. 

While I rarely need an excuse to wander through Soho (the frozen yogurt mecca, Pink Berry, is just one of many obvious draws), this past week I took the opportunity to sip a latte and stroll through the trailer-filled streets to see what was happening with The Good Wife, on-location in NYC.  You see, some people love Sundays because of football, while others would hold it in high esteem as a day of rest.  For me, Sundays mean one thing: The Good Wife… so any time I can spread that joy throughout my week, I’m willing to jump at the opportunity.

This was my second on-location experience and entirely different from my first (where I saw Christine Baranski shooting the lobby scene from “Alienation of Affection.”).  This time, I lucked out with spotting Josh Charles and getting more than a few hints on guest stars we can expect later in the season.  Without further ado, I present “The Good Wife: On Location in NYC – Take Two.”  I hope you enjoy the photographic journey!

Deep in the heart of Soho, I spotted The Good Wife filming on the fourth floor of this beautiful brick building.   Who and what could be inside?  Predictions to follow...

Reflections from inside the building

Signage aplenty!

Just a few blocks away from the set, the beautiful "Most Precious Blood Church" opened their doors as the holding and catering area

One of my favourite images of the day: a large lighting rig with the Woolworth Building pictured in the distance

On-site catering... basically a pantry containing everything from apples to yogurt and peanut butter to Sour Patch Kids.  Check out Food Inspired by The Good Wife for this week's latest recipe, created in honor of this very well-stocked table!

After a bit of waiting, Josh Charles (and who I believe to be Nadia Dajani, one of the newest additions to the cast of The Good Wife) appeared to browse treats on the catering table

Charles poses with a fan 

It's official!  Based on this trailer door, Will's younger sister, Audra Gardner (played by  Merritt Wever) has rolled into town.  Word on the street is that she is going to be whimsical and fun-loving... I can only hope she is pro-Team Gardner, like Alicia's beloved brother Owen.

This trailer door says it all: Sara Gardner (played by Nadia Dajani), Will's older sister, is also in town and rumor has it she and her sister are looking to help Will find love.  Sigh.  I've said it before and I'll say it again: Team Gardner, we have a problem.

The best find of the on-location shoot (except for Josh Charles, of course) is what appears to be trailer of Mr. Lou Dobbs.  We last saw Dobbs, appearing as himself, in season two's "Double Jeopardy." When Bond was ousted, I assumed (perhaps inaccurately) that his business similarly walked out the door, despite Dobbs' adoration of Diane.  It looks like Dobbs and his controversial ways could be lurking in the halls of Lockhart Gardner before too long.

With Lou, Sara and Audra set to hit the scene, I can't help but think we're in for an absolutely thrilling last third of season three (and dare I predict that Elsbeth gets Will off the hook with the grand jury... I mean, his sisters weren't visiting him in prison...).  I'm guessing the filming I've captured above will surface around episode 17... stay tuned!

A special thank you to On Location Vacations - a great group that
shares information about television and movie shoots each and every day

Related to this Article:

• Food Inspired by The Good Wife: Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
• Catch up on episode 13, "Bitcoin for Dummies" and find out more about those involved in the judicial bribery scandal with Will
• Preview: episode 14, "Another Ham Sandwich"

The Good Wife: On Location in NYC

On Location in NYC

On-site filming November 22, 2011| Post date: November 28, 2011 | Update: January 9, 2012

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Knowing there would be no new episode of The Good Wife this week, there was nothing left to do but take to the streets - and the hallways - of Lockhart Gardner to fuel my scheduled Monday post.  In fact, last weekend I got my lucky break in getting word The Good Wife would be filming at an on-site location in NYC.  I'm not one to miss such an opportunity, so after grabbing my purse, laptop bag and umbrella, I was out the door for an adventure that would last seven hours and feature a cast of colorful characters, including Christine Baranski.

In my Opinion - a Photographic Journey

When a show rolls into an on-site location, there is nothing small about the production and filming of The Good Wife is no exception.  Signage goes up, trailers appear and everything from lights to set pieces suddenly fill the streets.

Kalinda would have been proud: this sign proves I was able to sleuth the filming location!

Originally I had assumed The Good Wife was filming outside based on the influx of twinkle lights and old-fashioned lamp posts.  I may or may not be correct... (UPDATE: I was, in fact, incorrect - this was just a festive street)

Lights, cameras, nuts and bolts!

This way!

Perhaps this was just a festive block?  Fortunately, my observations are much more concrete later in the day 

Set up in the rain, these lights were aiming directly at the office tower in which they were filming

Setting up the lobby for shooting

One of my favourite pictures from the day:  I'll let the chaos and the colors speak for themselves

On-set supplies, from crates to carpets

The Scene

When I arrived at the filming site, they were finalizing blocking and rehearsing a three-person scene with Christine Baranaksi (Diane Lockhart).  The premise?  Diane is witness to a man being served with papers in the lobby of a building.  Needless to say, the process isn't smooth and said man ends up getting body slammed into one of the lobby's marble columns.  He quickly exits stage right and Diane is left to chat with the person doing the serving.  When the show airs, the highlight of the scene, it could be said, will be the man being pushed into the pillar.  I would contest this though.  It's really Diane's shoes.  Stay tuned.


Update: This scene is from episode 12, "Alienation of Affection." The premise?  Diane is heading into work when she happens upon Jack Copeland, the man who earlier in the episode, served not only her, but Alicia, Will and David.  Here, she finds him serving someone else - it seems the offices of Lockhart & Gardner are in his service area.  Could we be seeing more of Copeland?  I predict yes... perhaps with a tasty helping of love interest on the side.  Note: I'm still working on sourcing these amazing shoes!

Blocking and rehearsing...

Blocking and rehearsing take IV

Rest assured, I will be getting more information on these shoes.  Any guesses the designer?
Stuart Weitzman perhaps?

Oh yes, and we're rolling here - this is what you will see on screen!

A Special Thanks

Standing outside an on-location filming, you meet some interesting people - those who have no idea what's going on, those who are interested in behind-the-scenes experiences, those who like to catch a glimpse of celebrities and those who are fans of the whole process.  I met all of these people and was thrilled to be part of the process... even if it was in the rain! Thanks to Ron, the television and film composer I met, who listened intently to my explanation of all things "The Good Wife" and later called me an 'expert' to other passers by, and thanks to the security guard who is responsible for protecting doors and elevators during filming - you're doing a great job!


Related to this Post

• The Good Wife: News - Check out what's happening on-location and off, with 'The Latest Briefs'
• "Alienation of Affection" - Episode recap and Top 10 Favourite Moments