Supernatural - On Location With the Js in Vancouver!

-by sweetondean

One of the wonderful things about going to Vancon is being in Supernatural heartland. Vancouver is where the show shoots, and one of the advantages of coming to a convention in Vancouver is that sometimes, if you're lucky, you get to see the people you love, making the show you love!

My first Vancon in 2012, I was lucky enough to see a little of "Blood Brother" filming at the 2400 Motel. It was quite an adventure getting there - which you can read about here!

At my second Vancon in 2014, they were filming the 200th episode the week after the convention and it was very much under wraps! Some fans stayed out at set and chatted to crew, but there was no shooting to be seen, as everything was happening inside the high school auditorium.

This year, my third Vancon, I was very much hoping that I'd be lucky enough to see the show shooting. So I crossed my fingers and toes and kept my ear to the ground!

On Wednesday the word on the street was that the show was shooting downtown. We (I'm travelling with Jules from the Superwiki) heard there might be a chance that the boys would be doing exteriors in the evening. So we headed down to the location where the scenes were scheduled that day. There were plenty of fans already there. They'd been staking out the location all day - but although they had seen the boys in the distance, and the boys' families coming and going, unfortunately the exteriors seemed to be taking place in an undercover carpark out of sight - so we collected a few of our friends who had spent the day at set, and went for dinner and drinks instead! It wasn't to be that night, so we filled our feels with pie!

Today, Thursday, once again the word was the show would be downtown, not far from yesterday's location. And once again, the promise was of exteriors featuring the boys, so Jules and I headed down mid morning.

When we arrived...the first thing we saw...parked all shiny on the street...was BABY!

Guess we were in the right place!

Me and my pal Karen, selfieing with Baby!

The crew were setting up for a shoot in an alley. We all stood opposite and watched. Some of the crew came over to say hi, including Production Designer, Jerry Wanek, who then took a few of us down to see a later location and some of the work that was being done there - I won't tell you what it was or what the scene will be, because it's a whacking big spoiler - but he talked us through how the shot was going to go and we met the artist who was assisting in creating the set.

Jerry explaining the set and shot to us

After that we went back up the street and watched as a scene was shot with 2 guest actors in the alley - I think at least one of the characters may be recurring. I took some shots of this scene - but I won't post those until after the episode in case they are spoilery!

The episode being shot was 12x05 and directed by Nina Lopez-Corrado ‏who directed Red Meat.

Nina chatting with crew

Once the scene with the guest actors had finished - the next scene was with the Js! Eeeee!

Jensen and Jared's stand-ins came out to block the scene, as Nina discussed the shot with Steadicam Operator Brian Rose.

Then....the boys arrived - driven to set by Clif! They waved and blew kisses across the road at us.

Jensen and 1st AD Kevin Parks

The boys saying hi - the police guy is a cast member not a cop!

Jensen and 1st AD Kevin Parks

Jensen and director Nina

After getting their hair etc all checked and mics put on, the boys headed over to the building Baby was parked in front of to rehearse the scene.

Jensen talked over the scene with director Nina.

And then went looking for something in Baby ..... thanks Jensen! ;)

The first rehearsal Jared totally missed his mark which caused a lot of laughter.

Jensen pointing out where Jared should be

Jared looking adorable

The boys were in great moods, laughing and joking and playing around.

The scene we watched involved the boys coming out of the building, seeing another car pull away, realise that someone they wanted was in that car, running to the Impala, jumping in the Impala and speeding off up the road in pursuit of the car.

GQ MOFOs!

The first time the boys took off up the road, Jensen laid some serious rubber, fishtailing all over the place! On purpose...for our benefit! Of course!

Jensen was pretty impressed with himself!

We watched this scene being shot several times. The boys running out of the building, into the car and speeding off.  Jensen reversing back down the street, parking, and going again.

Goofing off, in one take they caught up with the car getting away, hopped out and rescued the passenger, taking them back to the Impala!

In another take, when they zoomed off up the road the lights at the intersection were green, so Jensen just kept going! He then did a u-turn up the road and drove back down towards us. He had to u-turn again to get the car back to the correct side of the road for the shot, and nearly turned straight into another car! There was a lot of fangirl gasps! He finally got the car back into position, hopped out and put his hand over his mouth like, "whoops!".

We were moved over to the other side of the street as they changed camera angles on the shot - which actually got us closer to the Js and able to get some better photos!

The boys stood around chatting to the crew, laughing, and generally having a good time. The vibe on the set was light and fun.

Then they were off again...jumping into the car. From where I was, I could get a great shot of Jensen!

The boys drove past us and Jared hung out the car and we all waved - but he was telling us to wave at the cameras as they were shooting us! That's why he's pointing down the road!

Then it was back to running out of the building into the car!

Strike a pose!

And finally, they had the shot and were wrapped on that scene!

That's a wrap!

We stayed until they finished this shot. Then the boys hopped into Clif's van and went back to the circus - where the trailers etc were set up. Waving goodbye as they slowly drove past.

A bunch of us (about 15), headed around the corner to the White Spot - for food, and celebratory drinks and a much needed pee! None of us wanted to do a toilet dash when so much cool action was going on! There were a lot of crossed legs!

All up we were on set for about 4 hours. The crew was amazing;  friendly and happy for us to be there. Several came over to chat on and off through out the day. It was wonderful to watch them working and see that family atmosphere so many of us have heard about. They genuinely look like they're having a good time on the job! The PAs gently and politely guided us to where we would be able to see but be out of shot - taking care of us and their work all in one. The boys goofed off for us, Jensen at one stage commando rolling over the bonnet of Baby for heaven's sake! It was a fabulous experience watching Jensen and Jared in their fed threads do their Sam and Dean thing.

Thanks to all the fans there, who were so great to hangout with and enjoy the day, and to the amazing Supernatural crew for being so welcoming, Nina, and of course the Js for allowing us to watch them making our show. You guys totally rock.

-sweetondean