It Took 7 Seasons to Finally Have Some Outdoor Scenes! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Skywalker · 08-24-2013, 03:01 PM

Watching the Season 7 set I noticed 2 episodes so far ("It Happened One Night" and "Wrecker's Ball") have outdoor scenes in them which is surprising because I'm pretty sure there's never been a scene that takes place outside during the other six seasons (not counting the Vacation movie).

Family Ties Forever! · 08-24-2013, 06:01 PM

In the episode where Steven's father dies, he goes to visit his mother and brother. There is a scene where he is outside at his father's grave.

Yes, very few episodes had scenes outside. The other thing is that you never see what the outside of the house looks like. You see the porch sometimes, but that's it.

Skywalker · 08-25-2013, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

In the episode where Steven's father dies, he goes to visit his mother and brother. There is a scene where he is outside at his father's grave.

Yes, very few episodes had scenes outside. The other thing is that you never see what the outside of the hosue looks like. You see the porch sometimes, but that's it.

I completely forgot about that episode.

It's been a few years since I've seen it. I guess I was only thinking of outdoor scenes with the family. Now I'm wondering if there are anymore episodes I forgot about.

Family Ties Forever! · 09-30-2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

I completely forgot about that episode.

It's been a few years since I've seen it. I guess I was only thinking of outdoor scenes with the family. Now I'm wondering if there are anymore episodes I forgot about.

I don't think there were any other scenes outdoors with the family.

MacLeaper · 10-03-2013, 02:28 PM

I don't know if you want to count this, but "The Real Thing" (Part 2) does briefly show an outside shot of Alex driving his car. But yeah- it does seem there were not many outdoors shots on Family Ties. I suppose it was just cheaper to use the indoor sets...

Vahan · 10-03-2013, 02:36 PM

It was a videotaped show, and most of the time, videotaped shows don't have the budget to go on location, like filmed ones do.

MacLeaper · 10-03-2013, 02:43 PM

Ah- well, there you go then. (But not literally go since we don't have the budget for it.

)

Avilos · 10-05-2013, 10:57 PM

Most sitcoms shot in front of live studio audiences have prerecorded footage or pictures of the exteriors of the houses.

I think it was a smart choice not to do that on Family Ties. I usually find that phony. Everyone knows there really on a set. Often the picture of a real house does not match with the sets.

Plus by not doing that it gave them more time for the actors. Most of all it makes the show feel Theatre, a play. Which I think is great. Perfect example is "A, My Name is Alex" It really is not that removed from other episodes. If another show did an episode like that, a show that usually as outdoor shots, it would be jarring to have an episode so different.

Corkys-Place · 10-15-2014, 04:39 AM

Always thought it was weird they NEVER showed exterior shots of the Keaton home during the entire run of the series.

Family Ties Forever! · 10-15-2014, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corkys-Place

Always thought it was weird they never showed exterior shots of the Keaton home during the entire run of the series.

It could be like someone else mentioned that it was cheaper not to videotape exterior shots.

It would have been an interesting question for Gary David Goldberg, the creator of Family Ties. It's too bad that he passed away last year.

08-24-2013, 03:01 PM	#1
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	It Took 7 Seasons to Finally Have Some Outdoor Scenes! Watching the Season 7 set I noticed 2 episodes so far ("It Happened One Night" and "Wrecker's Ball") have outdoor scenes in them which is surprising because I'm pretty sure there's never been a scene that takes place outside during the other six seasons (not counting the Vacation movie).

08-24-2013, 06:01 PM	#2
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	In the episode where Steven's father dies, he goes to visit his mother and brother. There is a scene where he is outside at his father's grave. Yes, very few episodes had scenes outside. The other thing is that you never see what the outside of the house looks like. You see the porch sometimes, but that's it.
	__________________ Jenny Last edited by Family Ties Forever!; 10-15-2014 at 11:19 PM.

10-03-2013, 02:28 PM	#5
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	I don't know if you want to count this, but "The Real Thing" (Part 2) does briefly show an outside shot of Alex driving his car. But yeah- it does seem there were not many outdoors shots on Family Ties. I suppose it was just cheaper to use the indoor sets...
	__________________ "Oh boy!" - Dr. Sam Beckett "You can do anything you wanna do if you put your mind to it." - MacGyver "Have mercy!" - Uncle Jesse "Ha, I kill me!" - ALF "I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

10-03-2013, 02:36 PM	#6
Vahan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2008 Posts: 2,712	It was a videotaped show, and most of the time, videotaped shows don't have the budget to go on location, like filmed ones do.

10-03-2013, 02:43 PM	#7
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	Ah- well, there you go then. (But not literally go since we don't have the budget for it. )

10-05-2013, 10:57 PM	#8
Avilos Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: Plymouth, WI Posts: 83	Most sitcoms shot in front of live studio audiences have prerecorded footage or pictures of the exteriors of the houses. I think it was a smart choice not to do that on Family Ties. I usually find that phony. Everyone knows there really on a set. Often the picture of a real house does not match with the sets. Plus by not doing that it gave them more time for the actors. Most of all it makes the show feel Theatre, a play. Which I think is great. Perfect example is "A, My Name is Alex" It really is not that removed from other episodes. If another show did an episode like that, a show that usually as outdoor shots, it would be jarring to have an episode so different.

10-15-2014, 04:39 AM	#9
Corkys-Place Unsolved Mysteries Fan Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 23, 2010 Posts: 790	Always thought it was weird they NEVER showed exterior shots of the Keaton home during the entire run of the series.