It takes a lot to make Channel Zero

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/12/2016 (3205 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You may have noticed white and black trucks taking up street parking for entire blocks around our neighbourhood earlier this fall. 

They belonged to the production crews of the TV show Channel Zero, which was filming its second season in Kildonan Meadows, Oakbank, East St. Paul, south of Kilcona Park, and at other Winnipeg locations.

Channel Zero is based on ‘creepypastas’ — urban horror myths posted on the Internet, like modern-day versions of ghost stories.

The first season, Channel Zero — Candle Cove, debuted in October on the American Syfy network and on Showcase in Canada. 

No End House, the subtitle of season two, consists of six one-hour episodes. In the original creepypasta, a young man enters a house with the promise of a monetary reward if he makes it through all nine rooms.  In Channel Zero’s version, some young people find this house, which appears mysteriously in different cities. Each room plays upon the individual’s personal fears. 

While the crew was shooting and working, I spoke with location manager Bernie Narvey, and have a new appreciation of how much work goes on behind the scenes. 

To find locations, Bernie first reads the script to get a feel for the story, then meets with the director and production designer to determine what key elements they are looking for. He also assesses if there are ways to group a few locations in one area for efficiency. He and his team take panoramic photos of locations they think suitable, then present them to the director, producers and designers.

Because theshow takes place in different cities, many locations were needed. The production had to obtain over 300 consent forms for each residence involved —even just for placing props in yards.

The production is like a moving factory. Eight five-ton trucks and four one-ton cube vans were used for the lighting, cabling, cameras, dollies, grip equipment and props.  Six trailers were designated for the actors’ wardrobes, change rooms and other amenities.

The show employed more than 120 production crew members, mostly local, including carpenters, painters, cameramen, grips and others. Caterers were hired to follow the crew to each location. Police assisted when needed to control traffic, with their time paid for by the production company. 

On Woodside Crescent, white orchids were placed in front yards. At the end of Sunway Avenue, a partial blue house with a porch was erected. The house was pre-built in a studio and moved using a flat-bed truck. Computer graphics will be added later to fill in the rest of the house.
Working quickly, it took nine weeks to shoot the six episodes. Next time you watch your favourite television show, give some thought to the hours of work done to provide a few moments of entertainment.

If you want to find out the significance of the orchids, tune in to Channel Zero — No End House on Showcase next fall.

Suzanne Hunter is a community correspondent for Transcona.