After seeing
Jensen Ackles and
Jared Padalecki, the third priority during BuddyTV's
Supernatural set visit was finding the third star of the series: Dean's 1967 Chevy Impala. Akin to
Knight Rider's KITT or
The Dukes of Hazzard's General Lee, the Impala has become a character in its own right.
Eventually we were able to find it, covered by a giant tarp on the sound stage. However, as you might expect, the car doesn't necessarily look like the one on TV. As was the case with the special effects video we brought back, if you enjoy not seeing how the magic of TV works, you probably shouldn't continue and watch our video of the Impala.
If you click on the video below, you can watch our footage panning up and down the side and into the interior of the Impala on the set, accompanied by my own narration describing the experience. As I've said before, I truly love finding out how TV shows are made. I understand that this isn't for everyone, that some people love the emotional connection to the characters and the story and have no desire to see that illusion shattered.
It all depends on how you watch TV. I am completely obsessed with how a show is made, from soup to nuts, and so visiting the set of Supernatural taught me a lot. You learn the sets are smaller, and at least in this case, the actors are bigger. You learn that just outside of the frame of any shot, there are countless technicians, lights, cameras, microphones and other distractions.
For me, my love for Supernatural grew while watching all of this unfold. How can these people, and particularly these two actors, separate themselves from the chaos around them to embody the scene? Both Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki seem so natural in their roles, but watching them quickly run through their lines before a scene, they are completely different from Sam and Dean. They were just normal guys, then the director yelled “Action” and, out of nowhere, Sam and Dean were right in front of me.
Getting back to the topic at hand, the car is exactly like that. Seeing this shell of an automobile, I couldn't help but wonder where the real Impala was. Yet I know the next time I see the car on the show, I'll be in awe that something so simple can be transformed into something so special using only the magic of television.
Coverage of BuddyTV's Exclusive Supernatural Set Visit:
First Impressions
Video Interview: Jensen Ackles Answers Fan Questions (Transcript)
Video Interview: Jared Padalecki Answers Fan Questions (Transcript)
Video: The Special Effects of Supernatural
Video Interview: Jensen Ackles Discusses Dean's Fate
Video Interview: Jared Padalecki Discusses "Ghostfacers"
Video: Behind-the-Scenes of "Long-Distance Call"
After Dean and Sam, who is your third favorite Supernatural character?
-John Kubicek, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image courtesy of the CW)