July 14, 2006
Now, since you don’t know me from the likes of Frostee Rucker, 
allow me to introduce myself. I’m one of the numerous Producers that you see credited at the tail end of each episode of Project Runway. If you want to see my name to check the validity of said claim, you must own a DVR and be accredited with an associate’s degree in remote control freeze-framing to halt the fastest credit role in television history. My title is right next to the credit that states, “Tim Gunn’s wardrobe is provided by Macy’s.” Yes, people, I am THAT important.
Anyway, when asked by Bravo to write something that encompasses what it’s like to toil behind the scenes as a producer on an Emmy nominated show, my Pavlovian response was, “How much do I get paid?” When the reply was “nothing”, I… was… sold. Plus, I was told women love written witticisms and fanciful prose. Though I have reason to believe that person was a liar.
Having worked on the previous two seasons of Project Runway (P-Run to the kids on the street), I’ve learned one of the most crucial jobs we do in production is casting. Not everyone we meet at the open calls is as obvious to cast as Jay McCarroll (whom the Magical Elves had to fight for to be on the show, might I add). Therefore, traveling to four cities and meeting over a thousand potential designers can get quite taxing. Luckily, this season was blessed with the largest and most talented pool of designers yet, which made our job slightly less nerve-wracking. Each designer brought their own story, their own design aesthetic and their own energy. Plus, the fact that the group is more than moderately attractive won’t hurt the ratings.
The importance of getting of a dynamic and eclectic group of designers for the cast became even more apparent when the posters for “P-Run 3: Road to a Bigger Paycheck” were plastered across every major metropolitan city. People who know I’m associated with the show have constantly inquired, “Do you have another Santino this year?” to which I reply, “Yup. We had him cloned but this time he’s returning in the form of a 60-year-old woman from Kansas.” (Okay, I’ve never said that.) Frankly, from a production standpoint, we don’t want to present the same cast over and over again, because part of the magic of Runway is that the look and feel of designers change each season without having to fill specific quotas. My feel is, if you wanted a cookie cutter cast you could watch any show on MTV to sate that desire. Due to the sheer number of qualified designers to be members of the show, we were fairly confident that once the finalized 15 designers were placed together in a room, all we needed to do was press “RECORD” and the group would take care of the rest.
Comments
Yvonne Stephens wrote:
Nice work!!!! Indeed, witty and erudite is a huge turn-on. Thanks for the explanation of why the apartments were still a disaster after the evening's designing.
posted on July 18, 2006 at 11:00 AM
Brenda Culp wrote:
I really am going to look forward to this every week. Great job, nice to see a insiders perspective of what's going on.
posted on July 19, 2006 at 8:12 PM
Liz wrote:
what a horrible decision to give Malan the boot! at least he tried and had ideas.
posted on July 20, 2006 at 1:16 AM
John Reilly wrote:
Hi, This is concerning episode 2. I think the producers/editors/directors have gone too far with the manipulation of the audience. The whole thing with Angela was too transparent. The editing felt like there was a heavy hand telling us there is trouble between the two of them. I think, the audience is savvy enough to figure it out. No need to beat it into us and the whole text messaging was ridiculous. The show is great on its own merits, no need to keep trying to make it better. Like Tim Gunn says, "Less is more" and Make it Work"
posted on July 20, 2006 at 10:11 AM
BBMOMMA wrote:
I must say that you are either very brave or very naive. The first two challenge episodes were so dismal and obviously producer driven with no regard to fashion or the episode mission statement. I had high hopes when Vera Wang was announced that the show would have to stay on a fashion and task driven course, she certainly couldn't be coerced by a producer. Well so much for for high hopes.
And just what is going to be done about the blatant molestation of Miss USA. Are you people kidding me with airing that, poor Miss USA, it the equivilant to a rape victim's name being published in the paper or announced on TV with photo. What are you people going to do about the molester??!!!!!
posted on July 20, 2006 at 10:21 AM
Jeffrey Sebelia wrote:
Dude...what about MOTHER RUCKER???
posted on July 20, 2006 at 10:55 AM
Veendah wrote:
Great Work! Love having an insider point of view . I just found you though. So, can't wait to see more of your blogs.
posted on July 20, 2006 at 6:16 PM
marjorie wrote:
enjoyed the peek behind the scenes, thanks! i think a lot of us are interested in stuff tim doesn't usually discuss -- the technical side of filming, how scheduling works, etc.
and no, toes can't be quaffed. unless you're really, really into shrimping. (as you said, you're on the internet, look it up.) you must feel like doing some quaffing after starting your workday at 5:30 and not ending it until after 11, though! jeez. and i'm not sure whether toes can be *coiffed*, but again, gonna go with no, unless you're a yeti. coif is from coiffure, as in hairstyle.
posted on July 20, 2006 at 8:17 PM
Mary Warwick wrote:
Loved the recap. This season will be interesting, for sure. Sorry to see one of the more interesting characters getting the boot so early on but I was starting to wonder if the bigger "personalities" got a break from the judges because they make better television. Guess not.
And I suspect Laura's turds are made of money.
Carry on.
posted on July 21, 2006 at 9:11 PM
Jessica wrote:
Women totally love written witticisms and fanciful prose... at least I do! Looking forward to your blog; love hearing what it's like on the production side.
Jessica :)
posted on July 22, 2006 at 9:56 AM
Sara wrote:
Awesome!! Thanks for the info like how long the designers had to endure their apartments in the wreckage... tidbits like that are why I read blogs like these!! :) Excited for more to come.
posted on July 24, 2006 at 4:04 AM
Melissa Ivery wrote:
Yeah.. it's official.. I'm completely hooked on this blog. Love the writing & love the pictures. Thanks for helping pass the time of my mundane workday... I guess I should've have been a producer instead of working at a cancer hospital :( oh well.
posted on July 27, 2006 at 12:49 PM
janet wrote:
Love your blog! Insightful, hilarious, and this blog doesn't take itself too seriously. Keep up the great read!
posted on July 28, 2006 at 12:51 AM
j wrote:
thanks for the shout out.
posted on July 30, 2006 at 2:33 AM
Maggie Tidwell wrote:
Great blog. Daniel was right. You're precious. But you know, p-run (the kids on the street and I love the nickname..) can't keep a really obnoxious designer on just because hating her is fun. She can't even sketch, for god's sake. Let's put an end to those embarrassing tutus and move on.
posted on July 30, 2006 at 11:22 PM
Godiva wrote:
Hey, I love well written witticisms and fanciful prose.
How do you feel about older women?
I hear what you're saying about casting.
I loved the first season of Project Runway. You were blessed with those designers. You'll never find another Austin Scarlett. (Or another Wendy Pepper, thank God. IMNSHO she never should have made the final three, but I understand it was good television.)
Jay McCarroll was also a gift. I am so happy Bravo is keeping in touch with him so we all can see how he's doing.
Then in Season two was Santino. Again...better television than designer. There are several challenges where he was simply lucky there was someone so much worse.
With the success of season 1 and 2 it looks like you have a larger pool of applicants to draw from. It seems most of the designers are much more capable this season than in previous seasons.
A blessing and a curse. In some ways easier for you, in some ways harder.
I think what fascinates me most are the challenges. Who comes up with that stuff? (and a dog is NOT an accessory...shame on you.)
posted on August 1, 2006 at 3:29 AM
Ann wrote:
What's with the drab "fashions" that Heidi sports week to week? Black, black, black, black, black. Every week basically variations on a black chemise. How about having a challenge, where the designers have to come up with a decent outfit for HER! Throw some color on that chick!
posted on August 2, 2006 at 8:55 AM
caline wrote:
so, you're one of those responsible for keeping Angela on this long... BOO!
posted on August 5, 2006 at 4:41 AM
Kate wrote:
Hey M-Rucks.
I just wanted to post a comment, here on the very first Michael Rucker Blog, with some love. I love your blogs, love the Ruckercams, love the choice of dress shoes over the pink Vans. (The dancing is... a little questionable.)
Watching/reading about all of the behind the scene action from you and Andy has shown me that there is cool stuff to be done in TV and has definitely broadened my own career horizons.
Keep PRunway going until I get out of grad school, I'll come be the best PA you've ever had!
Thanks for writing.
posted on August 14, 2006 at 3:50 PM
Kate wrote:
p.s. We all know you're not that emo. Get a new Rucker Blog picture, dude.
posted on August 14, 2006 at 3:51 PM