Does anyone know which of the cast members sign autographs c/o Law & Order: SVU ? Thanks

mariska does, see: http://mariska.com/about/faq.php

also...i realise that this is going to make me seem quite stupid, but what does c/o mean? i always see it around but i dont know what it stands for. sorry!

C/O means Casey/Olivia, as in Casey and Olivia dating. I should know, I'm one of the C/O experts.

Or, if you want to know the *actual* meaning..
C/O refers to care of. It's a mail abbreviation.

Whoops. Sorry guys. I didn't know there was another meaning for c/o I feel like an idiot. Thanks for the fix though!

Actually, the "c/o" in the first post probably refers to "in care of", a term used in addressing mail.

To answer the question, I think it depends. The only real way to find out is to mail a letter to the NBC offices in NYC and ask.


** Not Kosher, we must have been writing this at the same time.

haha, as handy as abreviations are i have had several insidents when people interpreted them differently...i ended up with a really weird message in return.

p.s. Not Kosher love your name:P mmm bacon...me too:D

[b]I was wondering if anyone knew SVU's filming location?? I think they r filming in my town tonight. I saw SVU signs everywhere... i cant believe their in jerzee!!

They film all over the NY burroughs. Their permanent stages are actually located in New Jersey.

I know Monday they were near White Plains but I'm not sure if they're still there.

Hello Community-

Does anyone know how one could get a "Storyline" idea to the producers or writers of Law and Order SVU?

I realize pretty much everyone has an idea or two, and I have one too.

I do write short stories, (fictional thillers).

And of course I am a big fan, and in "awe" of Dick Wolf and his writing team.

Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks!

IdeaGirl

Try writing to NBC. Specifically Dick Wolf.... But I don't think they would use other peoples ideas... Probably for legal reasons. But I could be wrong.

Unfortunately that's not possible. The only way to get a story idea or spec script in front of the producers/writing staff is to have it submitted via a legitimate agent, someone who already works in the business and is representing you and your work.

The reason? Because of legalities of some people offering ideas up and then coming around after the fact and claiming that the production company/studio "stole" their ideas and suing them for damages. This happened back in the Star Trek world early on in the TNG series. Back then the producers had a lot more contact with the fans than most do now. Fans were able to submit story ideas and spec scripts. Unfortunately one fan claimed that they had submitted a story idea that ended up as an episode on the show. Production claimed that they never saw the fan's idea, that it wasn't unique enough of a story idea to be limited to just one person thinking it up. Fan got ticked and filed a lawsuit. IIRC, the suit was thrown out. Regardless, studios and production companies have been much more cautious about getting unsoliticted product.

Where in White Plains?

I can't figure out how they shoot the show. They had done all of Connie's shows before the Emmy's and Christopher Meloni said he had been on vacation for a few months but wasn't feeling relaxed enough or something so that's when he cut off his hair. Does anyone know how they split the season up? Plus I want to know if anyone knows whether or not they are releasing any more seasons of SVU. I have 1, 2 and 5. Thanks. I live for Tuesday nights!

Most shows shoot from July to April with a short hiatus over the holidays in December.

Law & Order has been a little different for the last couple of years. First it was to accommodate Mariska's wedding, then Chris' play in Ireland, then Mariska's pregnancy (there might have been something else in one of those years, but I can't remember what at the moment). So they got permission from all the guilds to shoots episodes for the following season at the end of the current season.

Taking season 7 as an example, SVU shot several season 7 episodes in May and June 2005 (at the end of their Season 6 shooting schedule), then broke for their summer hiatus until September. They then worked through March/April 2006. With Mariska taking maternity leave at that time, the show filmed two Season 8 episodes before she departed and continued with the six episodes that Connie Nielsen would be guest starring in before taking their summer hiatus.

The cast and crew were scheduled to return to their set in New Jersey on September 18, 2006. With the death of Mickey Hargitay the week before, there's some question as to when Mariska returned to the set, but given that there are photos of her working that episodes floating around the Internet, I'd say she didn't take too much time off (at least not right away).

I hope that helps.

Is there a place where you can find out where in Jersey the set is. I may be going to NYC in December and would love just to get a glmpse of the crew...especially Mariska. Thanks

Unfortunately the SVU set is closed to the public and it's located off the beaten track so it's not easy to find.

there is a NBC studio in NYC. we are goign there for our school trip. i am not sure if svu is taped there. i dont think so b/c i think mariska said that they film away from everyone else. but idk

The NBC Studios in NYC are at Rockefeller Center and used primarily for the news programs (i.e. The Today Show). Since they don't have traditional studio space (i.e. large warehouse sized facilities for standing sets), television production is done in other places. Some television shows are shot in converted warehouses down near the waterfront. One such facility is the Steiner Studios down at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

However, SVU's stages are not NYC, nor are they in NY state. They are located over the river in New Jersey in former warehouse space surrounded by other warehouses...which helps mask the production facility from unwanted intrusions by fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars and uninvited press.

If you are in the NYC area, the best bet to seeing any of the cast while they work is to be lucky and happen upon them while they're out on location. IIRC, they spend approximately 3-4 days out on location in the five borroughs and 3-4 days in the studio. So you have a halfway decent chance of running into them if you're vigilant.

Sorry to be an annoying newbie you guys...

But I loooove Ice T and I've been trying to find an address to write him a letter. I was wondering if any of you know where I could write to him, or where I could find an address to do so. I was thinkiing about just writing to the NBC studios, but I don't know that address either. Would it be 30 Rockafeller Plaza?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you so much.


-Ren

Ice-T
c/o
NBC Entertainment
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112

kat i just have to ask - how do you know so much about svu?! as in, every time someone has a question, you can answer it, normally with some authority. and you're always right! it's awesome, it's like ure a one-stop-svu-source. u're in the industry somewhere ya?

I am in the industry. I've worked in the Hollywood community (studios, networks and labor unions) for almost 15 years (it'll be 15 on January 6, 2007 ). I've also had the pleasure of being on set with Chris and Mariska one afternoon and have many friends and contacts at most of the studios and networks.

Pretty much, if I can't answer a question, I can get information from someone that will answer the question. And sometimes the answer is "unable to answer." But I do my best. LOL

Does anyone know if they film late January and like early February.
I will be in NYC and i really want to meet/See Mariska and Chris.
I love the work that they do and i want to get into acting so i really want to see a set or filming.

p.s. i dont want to sound dumb or stupid cause im not expecting to be able to walk onto a set and be like hey or anything, just really curious about what you can get to do/see.

Because of the harsh reality of the subject matter, SVU does not offer tours of its studio. Like KatRose stated, your best bet is to catch them filming on the streets of Manhattan. I visit NYC at least 3 times a year and have yet to be lucky enough to catch them. A great place to start is downtown by the criminal court building. If memory serves me correctly it's on Centre Street. The courthouse is a mainstay in all the Law and Orders.

I stand corrected, courtesy of nygov.com here is the location for the court building in Manhattan.

Location
The New York (Manhattan) Criminal Court has 2 locations approximately three blocks south of Canal Street. The Criminal Court building at 100 Centre Street is one block from Worth Street near Leonard Street & Franklin Street. The Criminal Court building at 346 Broadway is between Worth Street & Leonard Street.

I was right about it being downtown.

The typical schedule (not necessary SVU, but a typical series) has production shooting from mid-July to early-to-mid December; early-to-mid January to late-April/early-May. While SVU's schedule began in September, I'd imagine that they'd be back into production just have the holidays, so you might get lucky if you're wandering around town.

The "problem" is going to be locating them as they're on location since there isn't any public site to get information about where in the city they'll be. What you can do is just keep your eyes peeled for signs hung on trees, lamp posts, etc that appear repeatedly in one area. I know out here in L.A. the signs don't say "CSI" on them, but would use some kind of code phrase/word/production company name for the production. I would assume that something similar would happen in NY.

Another good indicator would be a LOT of trucks and trailers congregating in a small area of one or two blocks. Since they need to transport their camera and lighting gear to wherever they go, you'll see several big box trucks or semis that may or may not have Wolf Films or NBC on them.

I wish you the best of luck.

We saw them filming outside a hotel (the Muse) near Times Square last March. They had big trailers all over so we went to see what was up. As long as you are quiet while they film and don't get in the way the production people don't care if you watch while they work. There was a guy doing crowd control for the show who was very nice and answered questions about what they were filming and when it would be on. It was Ice T and Chris Meloni. Of course you can't get near the actors but it was fun to see how things work.

I live in the Riverdale sEction of thr bronx and just a few days ago we saw cones posted all over neighborhood. My husband said he had a feeling someone was filming around here soon. He was right monday evening coming of the Henry Hudson on riverdale av. by 256st we saw Law & Order crew SVU filming we drove by because @ first we saw officers in full gear thinking that something had happened we drove right by it as they were filming a scene. We went around the way again and happen to drive by them filming the exact same scene!! It was cool. We just are hoping we get to see that episode!!

awesome! i wish that would happen where i live... in australia.
like you're just walking along and you bump into a celeb or a set.

Hi all!

I have a few quick questions and I figured this was a great place to start!

First of all, any news as far as who has signed contracts for a 9th season? Has it been renewed past season 8?

As far as senority in the squad goes, it seems to me that it's Cragen, then Elliot/Olivia, then Fin/Munch. Is there a different sort of chain of command? I remember hearing something on one episode of Elliot being higher up than Olivia: is this true? Are Elliot/Olivia at the same level as Munch/Fin?

Any tips or ideas on how to get a role as an extra if you're in NYC? I'm not there but I'd love to see what types of places to go to volunteer for it or send in head shots.

How far ahead of time do they tape episodes?

And last, but not least, why is it that when I try to get decent clips on Youtube, all I can find are a bunch of homemade montages put together (usually with a slash pairing) to modern pop music?



Thanks!

Here are some answers:

Seniority:

Cragen is the captain, he trumpts all.
Olivia, Elliot, Munch and Fin are all technically on the same level. It's just that we follow the pairing of Olivia and Elliot, much more often than Munch and Fin (but that doesn't mean that they have a higher rank than M and F). Now within the partnerships there are seniority rules that apply. So Elliot or Olivia will be the senior partner within their partnership; and either Munch or Fin will be the senior in their partnership (I'm sure it's Munch since he has been in the unit longest). Seniority between parners is based, I believe, on who has been in that unit longer. Not sure, others will have to help out.

Youtube

Youtubed clips of NBC shows or commercials is a violation of the law. It's copyright infringment. Since Google payed a HUGE amount for youtube, networks are changing their approach to letting their content on there. (They were pretty ok with it when it was owned by two random dudes). But now Google is in a place where there really isn't a reason why they don't obey the law and pay for the content they are distributing to youtubers. Now NBC and ABC have taken a policy of absolutely no content allowed. Comedy Central is letting clips stay up, but full episodes are not allowed since you can buy them on iTunes. I don't know what CBS and Fox are doing.

On NBC.com you can see some content. There are special webisodes for some shows, you can see commercials and even some shows have full episodes available! And of course there is always iTunes where all the Law and Orders are currently available (though not all seasons yet )

Thanks for the information!

It's interesting because neither Olivia nor Elliot seem to act like they're senior to the other, but I remembered on one episode... I think it was the one with Olivia's "stalker" and, oh, this'll give it away "AiVliO" guy stalking the people Olivia cared about... anyway, at the beginning of that episode, Olivia was angry that she didn't go out in the field and I think I remembered someone telling Stabler it was "his" case or he was the one to take the lead on the case. Interesting; I don't think I ever remembered seeing that before on SVU.

And one more quick question: are the re-runs on USA edited?!

Contract negotiations will take place this year. We probably won't hear anything until late winter/early spring. But given a comment by Chris Meloni in a recent Boston Globe interview about the show going 10 years, I wouldn't worry too much.



I don't know if there's ever been a comprehensive list of seniority put together - official or fan-based - for the SVU squad. However, we do know that Elliot's been a cop about 2 years longer than Olivia (one episode during, I believe, season 5 that showed both Olivia and Elliot's service record, home address and pay scale). Cragen's been a cop longer, but I don't know when he got transferred to SVU.



There is no volunteering to be an extra. Those positions are governed by the Screen Actors Guild contract and they set how many extras have to be union before the non-union extras can be hired. At that point they use extra agencies to hire the people they need for the jobs. If you want to investigate that, you should look into acting agencies and whatnot in the NY or LA area.



The episodes are not taped, they're filmed. It may not seem like a big deal, calling it one thing when it's another, but in this business, clarity is everything.

As for the actual question, it's anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months (except for the episodes that are shot at the end of the previous season, then there's a lot of time). The reason for the timing is because it takes about 8 working days to shoot each episode, then it go to post production for editing, sound, ADR, foley, etc. Then it goes back to the network for review and final comp before airing. At the beginning of the season there's more time between the start of a shoot and the day it airs, but as the season goes along, that time shrinks.

Think about it this way, at the beginning of a school year, you have plenty of time to do your homework, prep for tests and have a social life. But by the middle of the school year, things start getting a little more hectic and by the end, you're lucky if you have any sanity left before finals occur. That's kinda the same thing that happens on series TV. The typical shooting pattern is to start in mid-July for episodes that will air in mid-September. But because it takes 8 business days (on average) to shoot an episode, the "extra" time production appears to have at the beginning of the season dwindles to weeks instead of months and everyone has to play catch up.

That's one of the reasons we get repeats and preemptions in October, December, January, March and early April. Production needs those weeks of none-new shows to catch up to what the network is burning off. Remember that the season is about 39 weeks long, but most shows only have 22-24 episodes.



Because the posting of clips is a violation of the copyright laws and NBC is very protective of their property. Therefore, any time they become aware of content from their shows, DVDs or website being posted to YouTube and other free sharing video sites, they'll have them removed.

Regardless of what you feel about the copyright laws and how that affects internet interaction, it's within NBC's rights to do so, so it would behoove all of us to not post links to videos at those sites at this board.

I hope I was able to answer your questions. Feel free to ask more.

Yes.

Kat, in what way are the edited on USA? Are they edited to add more content on USA since it is a cable channel or vice versa? Sorry Koryisma, I don't mean to steal your thread.

Syndication often removes anywhere from 1 to 4 minutes from the network version for additional commercials. Mostly scenes that "aren't vital" to the storyline (though many fans would go, "HEY! That was important!").

Thank you, Kat. I am in awe of your infinite knowledge, thanks for sharing it with us.

Ha! I knew I could count on you for some good responses, Kat. Thanks for the filming vs. taping; I take it the distinction is that they use film rather than tape?

As for volunteering, I know it's not just a volunteer process, but, for example, when I was in college, they filmed a couple tv show pilots and films on campus and sent out some casting calls for extras. I was just wondering if anyone had the scoop as to how SVU in particular works as far as that's concerned.

Oh, and Kat, any ideas as to how to get into the industry? I love the entertainment world... got a job in the music industry right out of college but it wasn't for me. I'd love a chance to see the ins and outs of television or film, either one...

Thanks for your patience with a raw newbie and for taking the time to explain things! I'm just bummed out now because I've seen most of my SVU on USA and it's all been edited!

Peace...
kyta

Yep. SVU actually puts film into their cameras instead of video tape or using digital (though it wouldn't surprise me if they start using digital cameras soon since the HD process is much easier to do from digital).



Putting out casting calls for large crowds is a little different than what would happen on a TV series like SVU. In those cases, the production would contact a local casting agency for headshots of people that fit the description of what production is looking for. They'd review the shots and say, "Send me Susan, Akmed, Darnell and William." Then those actors would get the call to show up on set or location with the requisite costuming (which is culled from their own wardrobes unless it's something very specific (cop uniform), then production provides the clothes).

I don't know much about the casting agencies in NYC, but you can probably look them up on the internet or in the online yellow pages.



Lots of ideas, and some even able to post here.

A lot depends on what you want to do in the industry. If you want to work for one of the studios or networks doing classic corporate works, just apply to those places like you would for any other corporate job (most networks and studios have some kind of online job site to see what they have available). If you want to get into the production end of things, you'll need to get experience in those crafts. For example, if you want to do costuming, then work as a costume assistant for small stage shows or productions in your area to get experience and learn the craft, then move to a city where they do more production work and just build up your resume.

If you want to act, then act. Take classes and workshops and study groups and movement and ... and ... and ... It's not an easy business to get in and survive. The Screen Actors Guild (the union that covers tv and motion picture actors) has approximately 150,000 members. Of that number, approximately 20% make their living as actors, the rest claim to be actors, but are doing other things while they wait for their "big break".

Of that 20%, only about 30% make enough money to not need a second or third job to pay their bills. Most actors earn less than $20,000 a year, with a good portion of people making less than $10,000. These "working actors", as they're known" usually earn between $50,000 and $75,000 a year. While that sounds like a lot of money, you need to remember that they earn that money by living in cities where the work is located: predominantly LA or NY, neither of which is inexpensive to live in.

After we cull out the "working actor," we're left with maybe 500 actors that make substantial money at their craft. These are the series actors, non-independent feature film actors and the "STARS." The average series actor can make between $30,000 and $300,000 per episode. That figure depends on what show, the length of time it's been on the air, what network, what studio, how the cash is flowing at the last contract negotiations, the phases of the moon and the temperment of the executive at the time the last pay raise was put into effect. There are anomolies like the Friends' cast that got $1M per episode for their last season, but that's because they had NBC over a barrel and NBC had a choice of giving in or forgetting the show.

Then we get to the 1% of 1%, the STARS. This is Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington, etc. These actors can pretty much name their price for whatever project they want to work on and get it. These are the salaries we hear bandied about on the entertainment news and in the press. These are NOT the norms, these are the exceptions.

Anyone going into acting to become rich and famous is going to run into many problems along the way. If you don't love what you do, don't do it. If you love acting, then act. Don't get wrapped up in wanting to be a "famous actor" or a "star," instead, decide to be a "great actor," someone that leaves a lasting impression and gets noticed.

Sorry for the diatribe, I don't want anyone to look at the entertainment industry as something "fun" or "easy" or "hey, I wanna do that," without also understanding that it's hard work, no matter what position you hold. I know. I've been in this business for almost 15 years and I'm still here - a little wounded and scarred, but still alive and kicking.

Well, Cragen is a different case altogether because he is an official rank above everyone else. He was a captain over on L&O in homicide. It doesn't matter if Olivia, Elliot, Munch, and Fin have been in SVU longer or have been cops longer than Cragen, Captain is higher than Detective period. The NYPD is ranked as follows (from highest to lowest):

Police Commissioner
First Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner
Chief of the Department
Bureau Chief
Assistant Chief
Deputy Chief
Inspector
Deputy Inspector
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Police Officer

In New York, a Detective is an equivalent rank of a police officer. Within Detective there are four ranks: Specialist, First Grade (highest), Second Grade, and Investiagor (Third Grade). Grades are what determines who out-ranks whom amongst Detectives and are awarded based on a merit system. First grades are usually the most experienced and capable at their duties.

Thanks again for the good information. I don't have the looks to act really, but I am really intrigued with production and all the behind-the-scenes things that have to happen in order to make an episode of a tv show, or, for that matter a newscast, movie, documentary, etc. I don't know; I'm in that stage of my life where I don't have any idea what direction I want to take but am interested in everything.... everything, that is, except what I'm doing now!

Thanks again for the info and the help.

Peace,
kyta

If you're interested in working behind-the-scenes, my best recommendation would be to find a local theater company that needs stage help. Work the various stage crafts, the box office, the front office, etc. Get a feel for all the different jobs and then find a class/workshop for the one(s) you find intriguing. Hands on experience and some classwork will help make the difference between a wishful thought and reality.

Hasn't Elliot been in SVU longer than Olivia? and we saw that he was payed more in Pure: he get's $60,000, she gets $55,000. So does that make him technically the "senior partner"?
also we always see those two order fin and munch around, like "run this over to the lab" or something. but i spose this is just cos we mainly follow cases in which olivia and elliot and the lead detective.

In the very first episode of the series, Olivia was given the 'Dani Beck' treatment by Cragen (pulling Elliot aside asking if his partner could handle things, and to let him [Cragen] know if she couldn't). Elliot was also given the option of pulling Olivia off the case if he felt it necessary. I hope I'm referring to the first episode, but you guys can check it out yourselves, it's the episode with the cab driver who was stabbed by two Bosnian women. Olivia was very rude and aggressive towards the victim's wife once she found out he was a death camp rapist. Remember?

Any how, it seems to me it was mentioned in the first 1 - 3 episodes that Olivia and Casssidy were still fairly new to the unit, and that John had recently transferred in from Baltimore (his character, John Munch, originated on Homicide: Life on the Streets). Elliot had a partner (who killed himself) in SVU before Olivia.

I think that Elliot has been in SVU the longest, but he, Fin, and Munch were all Detectives before they transferred in, and I'm not certain whether Olivia was a Detective prior to coming to SVU. Not that it probably matters, because I'm sure John Munch has the over-all senority as a Detective of the four, but Cragen often makes Stabler the lead on investigations.

Since I'm no good at formatting or anything... Yes, that was the Pilot ep. The years that Olivia has been an SVU detective sort of fluctuate. It's mentioned at the end of Season 1 that she's been a detective for a year to two years, yet at the beginning, she is treated like a rookie. Also -- nitpicking, but I don't think that El's old partner killed himself -- he moved to Florida. I do know that he died during or slightly before the ep 'Executed', which I think is Season 3.

Also, in Season 2 Deleted Scenes, Elliot gets promoted to Detective First Grade and Olivia gets promoted to Detective Second Grade. Of course, these scenes were deleted...

And Elliot is the senior partner in the Elliot / Olivia Partnership. He'd been in SVU for five years at the start of Season 1, Twelve during Ripped (season 6), so this calculates to him being in SVU for thirteen, fourteen years. During the earlier seasons especially, his experience is looked on the most often.

And this is just a bit of possible trivia that I picked up somewhere along the lines: Elliot was in SVU before Cragen was in SVU. I think the logistics worked out that El started SVU in '94 or '95, and Cragen started in '97. So, he's technically beein /in that squad/ the longest.

EDIT: Forgot this. Munch transfered to SVU immediately after Homicide ended in '98 or '99 (I'll have to check IMDb) so although he probably has the most years as a detective, he has fewer years than Elliot as an SVU detective.

Sorry for all the disorganized nitpicking.

i think elliot's ex partner did kill himself. i just re-watched execution.
first el says "my partner dave rosetti was the lead on it" then the girl's dad says "we heard he died, we're real sorry. that's why we're coming to you now."

then later stabler says to cragen "that's not what this is about and you know it. dave rosetti put a slug through his jaw over this."

Well, Ant responded about Stabler's partner (waves to Ant! ), so I'll add only that I was talking about the four detectives--not Cragen--and I agree (agreed) with you that Stabler's been in SVU the longest. Munch has the over-all senority as a Detective (among the four Detectives, in/from any unit), but Stabler has the senority in SVU.

On Chris Meloni's web site thete is an article wher he states that they start filmimg th L&O shows in mid-September. They start late since they shoot some episodes at the end of the prior season.

Most other shows film from mid-June until mid-March but SVU goes from mid-Sept to mid-June.