Hot off the press !

Peter Lenkov talks about reviving MacGyver and much more. Here is the link below.

http://www.c21media.net/screenings/C21TV/reviving-macgyver

Enjoy!

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Very interesting; thanks for bringing it here!

so... last month, there was a lot of negative reactions about tv shows with female heroes being cancelled while picking up action shows with male heroes and also about not doing a reboot with a female MacGyver instead.

I guess they're trying to widen the audience now with the "big bad" for the first season? Pretty clever way to make it more interesting and avoiding too much backlash...

I must apologise Dash... I know you are usually the one bringing all the juicy stuff,

"You know what to expect......The Onus is on us... to live up to that expectation" - Peter Lenkov

First off, Peter Lenkov is a big fan of the show and he has fond memories of the original. That is a huge plus.

He is building the show from scratch, and giving both the characters new origin stories . Another plus, because I was never fond of the direction of the pilot.

I'm liking the direction of this new story arc for season 1, and the female MacGyver thing is a nice nod, to all those rumours that were circulating on the web - at the inception stage. Who knows, done correctly- this female character they are introducing, might be part of "the next MacGyver project" strategy. If the casting is right, and a strong female lead is born who knows a spinoff series may be on the cards to compliment the show.

Great to hear that the show will be travelling around the world, and not like the original were they filmed in Vancouver and pretended they were in foreign countries (season 5 springs to mind).

I love his comment on the SECRET SAUCE, he respects that the MacGyverisms are at the centre of the show. Something that was often skimped on, as the original series progressed.

He spoke very highly and very respectfully about us... the fans, and how he wants to bring us on the journey and make us feel engaged and apart of the process. As a producer myself, that was...Very Nice and genuine !

Why apologize? I'm glad there are so many other people looking out there trying to find news about the reboot; it's so much more easier and interesting for a community doing it together than someone alone. Also, without MacGyver Online I probably wouldn't have know for quite some time that there was being a Reboot at all *lol*

Nice work, RDoyletv

I think you'll find he meant the episodes will be located internationally not that they are actually going to film internationally. TV shows don't have the time or money to do that.


I have to say the "secret sauce" and the "using MacGyverisms to make weapons" makes me wonder if they are going to keep the non-violence philosophy behind the MacGyverisms or whether it's just going to be an empty gimmick for the show.

I don't know Kiwitek,

Weren't some of the scenes shot for the pilot filmed outside America?

I thought I read somewhere that they were? I maybe wrong?

I'm pretty sure they weren't, but not 100%.

No TV shows travel around the world like that. They only have 7-8 days to produce an entire episode.

One of the main reasons MacGyver moved to Vancouver was because of the speed they could get to the filming locations. In LA it takes hours to pack up and move the production from one location to the next (often because of the share distance they had to travel) but in Vancouver they had everything within 45(ish) minutes.

What was shot outside of America was probably Vancouver British Columbia.

The only show I know ever to travel around the world and shoot episodes was Young Indiana Jones Chronicles but that was well... Indiana Jones.

Isn't parts of Homeland not shot in the war torn countries they depict?

Same with 24, shooting in Britain for season 9.

Most shows, do certain location shoots in other countries to be more authentic.

I think some scenes of "Homeland" were shot in Berlin and around Germany - but I guess they don't need as much money for e.g. special effects like MacGyver? (don't know, haven't seen further than Homeland's season 3).

I'm also not sure if tv shows get sometimes more money for the next season once they prove to be successful?

The directors and producers of "Stargate SG-1" talk a lot about money issues on the DVD commentaries; they were succesful enough to get 10 seasons and yet they were struggling with budget decisions until the end. That's why every planet looks like British Columbia and they redress the same space ship for dozens of episodes. It was either special effects, new props or locations... so they saved money on props and locations.

Not following Homeland. I thought you meant every other assignment set in another location in every other episode shooting around the world. If they did that in season 1 of the original show it probably would've been cancelled because it was much too expensive.

Shooting an entire season of 10-12 or even 22 episodes in another country like 24 did in the UK is a little different. They shot the Mac-movies there too. Otherwise expanding Mac's background but probably also for budgetary reasons. Just as they did for moving the production to Vancouver.

If they would shoot an entire season in another country I'd get it but if he's going to do assignments all over the world in every other episode and they would actually go and shoot there that's going to be costly.

Homeland relocated their entire production to Germany for season 5.

Same for 24. They shot the entire season in London and surrounding areas - that's different to just filming one scene on the other side of the world.

You'll need to convince me of that.

They might be able to do entire episodes though, that would be less of a logistics nightmare I would say. They could fly in on the weekend, film for the week and fly out again once the episode was completed.

Let me paint a picture of how this could be made possible,

MacGyver is in Italy and must break into the vatican, to steal a classified map, and return home safely. Sounds familiar? I have perhaps given it an updated twist... ok?

There are various units assigned to film certain portions of an episode, and all working together to obtain all footage needed for that episode. That is generally how any TV show is created. They never, or very rarely shoot in sequence of the script and the actors are assigned to a unit, if and when they are required for that particular scene.

The exterior of the Vatican and perhaps certain portions of the escape sequence would need to be filmed in Italy to help keep it authentic. But other parts could be replicated on the soundstage back in the U.S.

But if you were to count the shots required that are specifically needed to be filmed, to establish that the character is in fact in Italy, you could be looking at potentially say 10 scenes, which could be filmed in 2 Days (5 scenes a day).

So...Unit 1 films in Italy with Lucas Till for the two days, while Unit 2 films all the close-ups needed for certain scenes (using a hand-model) these are shot on the sound stage back in the U.S. Unit 3 are on location in L.A filming George Eads character shots needed for another scene, while Unit 4 is in a Green Screen Studio with Lucas Till's stunt double, providing the complex and difficult portions of the escape sequence with a hot-air balloon.

This is how it could be do-able. Limiting the number of shots needed, and sending a skeleton crew to obtain the exact portions needed to help tell the story.

They may even spend a 3rd day filming with a drone obtaining scenic beauty shots.

While back home in the U.S, all the footage is being edited and pieced together and when completed, the audience are none-the-wiser the whole scene looks like it was shot in Italy.

This is why continuity advisors/specialists are the most important people on the set of production. Because they spot the minute things - for example they are about to film a mid-shot of Lucas holding a can of coke - they are on set to tell the director that Lucas was holding the can of coke in his left hand, when we shot the wide shot last week. He wasn't wearing that green top, he was wearing a blue one etc, etc. They make sure all shots will come together perfectly from all units.

It is achievable, and cost effective, and it is how shows like Homeland are created.

Hope this was useful?

Very interesting I love the excitement and energy of the project. A few points

1. So each season will have its own big bad which I kind of like it works for Arrow so why not have it work for Macgyver
(Plus with the orignal show and the comic book as source material we could have a season where Dr. Zito is the main bad guy maybe a season for Murdoc etc)

2. I like that it's a former lover as well it ups the stakes plus this puts Mac in an interesting predicament is he going to let his emotions blind him to her or is going to make him want to pursue her more

3. Can Eads just be Peter Thorton seriously I don't care he looks nothing like Dana Elcar


Overall I am very happy

"24: Live Another Day" and the MacGyver movies were shot in the UK because it actually works out cheaper to shoot there. Something to do with tax breaks, though I don't know the details.

But the regular seasons of 24 were all primarily shot in L.A., even in seasons 7 and 8, when they were supposed to be in Washington D.C. and New York City. The season 8 DVD includes a documentary about how they shot background plates in NYC, and then used greenscreen on a soundstage in Los Angeles to make it look like the characters were in NYC.

So I'm guessing that if a successful show like 24 can't even afford to film in other states, it's very unlikely that a new, unproven show would be traveling around the world. At best, they may shoot some establishing shots (no cast members)in other countries, rather than using the cheap stock-footage that was used in the original series, but I think even that's pretty unlikely, unless the show becomes a huge hit.

So am I Macgyver12186,

I too, wish that they would rename George Eads character.

I never liked the name Lincoln, it is synonymous with Prison break and will be returning to TV, around the same time as this show will air.

I'm hoping that Peter Lenkov has spotted and picked up on this? And maybe they have?

I noticed the other day that one writer tweeted #macandjackattack

Could this be a reference to Till and Eads characters?

Only time will tell?

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I, too, like the fact that each season will have a main villain. I don't think they should rely on previously used villains like Murdoc and Zito, though. Probably better to come up with new ideas. (Also, as much as I love Murdoc, he's WAY too campy to be a season-spanning villain. He worked fine for one episode per season.)

Getting back to the travel budget for a moment: When RDA was at the convention in New Zealand earlier this year, someone asked him if they actually went to Germany to film the opening gambit where he's in a coffin that turns into a jet-ski, and he said,"Yeah, right. Going to Germany would have cost more than we spent for the entire season!" (I'm paraphrasing, since I don't have the video in front of me right now, but that was the gist of it.)

You'll need to convince me of that.

They might be able to do entire episodes though, that would be less of a logistics nightmare I would say. They could fly in on the weekend, film for the week and fly out again once the episode was completed.

I wouldn't say most shows film around the world, but I do know that the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles did travel and film all over the world.

Having watched the interview with Peter Lenkov, what are your thoughts of him as the series' show-runner?

I personally think he is very genuine, and if anyone has what it takes to make this series as good as it can be, I reckon he can do it justice.

I like his enthusiasm. He seems to have a genuine fondness for the material, which is a good start.

Another exclusive - well sort of anyway !

Peter Lenkov just tweeted this message moments ago.

Me thinks....we should brace ourselves for BIG news. Can't wait?

What are people's predictions?

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For me the only thing which would count as "very cool" would be if they have some original cast members involved.

The only person apart from RDA, that I would definitely love to see back on the show is Michael Des Barres playing Murdoc.

I still think he could pull off the villain role.

Perhaps this new Female bad for season 1, ...her dad could potentially be Murdoc and turn up in season 2 ?

Yes, that's the problem: we as fans of the old show, fans of the new show, producers and writers and the network probably have very different definition of "cool" casting news...

I guess anyone who's not completely unknown to the public but very talented is "cool" casting for them. The last time, they announced the cast with recurring roles; so I guess we will know the female lead and/or the big bad for season 1 (they probably are the same person according to Peter's Interview). If they abandon the "MacGyver-Team" idea, I'm not sure how many official announcements we're going to get before they start shooting.

hm.... Peter started following Justin Hires on Twitter today. His CBS-Show (Rush Hour?) was cancelled, so I guess he would have some free time... and it's not uncommon for TV networks to hire people they already worked with...

I found this from a few years back

It's a masterclass with Peter Lenkov, speaking about his career to date and what went into the making and rebooting of the H.50 series.

It is a very interesting watch for me (as I can relate to a lot of what he says) - But towards the end, he speaks openly and honestly about how he created H.50 and I felt that I should post this here because (having watched to it all), you may be able to draw your own comparisons and/or assumptions as to how he might approach the rebooting of the MacGyver series.

For me a few points

1. I don't want old cast memebers coming back because well I want something new unless this is really a sequel in which case ok but not all the time (heck I was writing s young Macgyver fanfic Back 2004 with Jack Dalton needing Clay Macgyver to rescue his uncle)

2. I like that he is making it a bit more like original show but again I enjoyed the bow and arrow macgyverism as it was something new I can't stress this enough I don't want the first 7 seasons refilmed with a new coat of paint...

As far as casting I really am curious how Lincoln will be and what future will be regarding the character I personally am hoping for a mixture of team and individual assignments (heck even the original show started going team orientated by season 3 with Peter Thorton and Nikki showing up in multiple episodes)

I agree with you Macgyver12186,

Peter Lenkov spoke about how he wanted to respect the old H.50 show, it has lovely nice nods to the past. And you can certainly spot the hidden Easter eggs throughout the life of the series.

I can only assume he will do a similar job on MacGyver, retaining the best of what we remember, yet pushing the boundaries of what to expect from future seasons. I've said before, I consider the MacGyver show to be like a brother to me. I've grown up with it in my life. I'm delighted for this reboot, and as such I expect to see something new, with a nod to the familiar, but also one that has grown and matured with age.

I'm not entirely hung up on an RDA appearance. If it happens...it's a bonus. But I am really looking forward to the bromance between Lucas and George develop and how that friendship can be tested over time. I'm also intrigued in this MacGyver love interest. It feels as though this new character could have a potential to be part of a spin-off series perhaps around the next MacGyver project winner, who knows? I never heard who in fact won that comp. Anyone shed light on this?

But most of all, I am looking forward to seeing how MacGyver's secret sauce, adapts and develops over each season. This is what will intrigue me most. I hope that they would explore a story where one of his MacGyverism doesn't do what it was intended, and fails and perhaps the consequences that transpires from that. It was touched on ever so lightly in an episode called Collision Course but was never explored to any great extent (this could develop nicely over a season arc, perhaps?). And it would show that MacGyver isn't perfect.

Love to hear your thoughts on these suggestions.