The SVU Production Blog was updated on March 4th.

http://blog.nbc.com/laworder_svu/production_blog/were_back/

We're Back!

Sorry for the delay all, but I'm glad to say we at SVU are back to work. March 3rd was our first day of shooting and we are already rolling along. More good news: we will be completing Season 9. Production will be turning episodes around for you as fast as we can, so come mid April we will be back with ALL NEW episodes. One of which will be SVU's 200th episode!

I want to thank everyone for continuing to visit and post comments on the site. I'm going to do my best to go through all of them and make some responses, so when we start airing new episodes we'll be all caught up.

Looking forward to starting the Production Blog up again!

Posted by SVUmac at 6:39PM

Thanks Trixie!

Thank you for the info!

Thanks Trixie. Can't wait for new episodes!

Thanks for the info trixie, Im so happy.

well alright Trixie! thanks!

Thanks Trixie

Thanks Trixie!

Holy crap!!!!! 200th episode?!?!?! Well it better be one pretty damn good episode!!!
Hahaha! I am envisioning nothing but an HBO-style sexfest with El and Liv. It'd be nice. Never gonna happen though, but my shipper heart can dream for that landmark episode, can't it?

SVU Production Blog was updated March 13th.


March 13, 05:46 PM

Answering Your Questions

On 3/7 Jason Porta asked:

What do you mean by "we will be completing season 9"? Does that mean that all of the episodes ordered at the beginning of the season (I think 22 is the standard these days) will be done?

Many shows will not be finishing their seasons and will return in the Fall. SVU will not wait until the Fall to bring you new episodes! We will have five new episodes starting April 15th (giving us 19 episodes for season 9).

On 3/7 Fearless4LifeJHF asked:

A couple of questions:

1. I've seen some spoilers about the first new episode on April 15th, and it sounds really intense. Do you think the writers feel pressure to "come back with a bang" after the strike?

2. Was it difficult for everyone to get back to the grind of shooting after such a long, stressful & emotionally charged strike?

3. Can you give us any clues as to who may be guest starring in the rest of this season, or provide any juicy info on plots developing in upcoming episodes?

1. I don't think the writers feel pressure, I think every writer out there is just happy to start writing again. Some of our writers, one way or another, have been writing everyday for the last several years so having to stop was just as hard on them as it was on everyone. I can't speak for other shows, but I know our writers at SVU definitely want to make every episode amazing, and the last five will be memorable.

2. I don't think it was too difficult. Everyone was ready and itching to come back to work. So other then getting used to working the long hours I don't think it's been hard at all. Here at SVU we have really have hit the ground running. The time off felt like a break at school, and now the summer is over and we are ready to get back at it.

3. Here's some juice for you: Look for Benson to go under cover on April 15th, look out for an episode filming at the home of the Superbowl Champs: Giants Stadium, and as far as guest stars, keep an eye out for our 200th episodes currently scheduled to air April 29th with a VERY special guest star.

Talk to you later!

Posted by SVUmac at 5:46PM

Whoa, nice!

Very special guest star = Steph March? Pleaaaaase? That would rule.

I so can't wait. I had to laugh about the "Benson will go undercover" part. It's like "............REALLY?!"

Rock it out! Thanks for the info Trixie!

Less than 30 days now guys....Saweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Gah! Excitement! I can't wait! I hope they're not just making it seem exciting. *Shakes fist* it better be a great guest star!

I can't wait. But I guess I'm going to have to. They might bring back Alex.

thanks thats a big help

SVU Production Blog was updated April 3rd. There are 5 Behind The Scenes photos from AUTHORITY. Love the pic of Mariska on the ground. What a smile! The 3rd pic makes me cringe!

http://blog.nbc.com/laworder_svu/production_blog/

thanks for the info! Can someone post the 3rd pic? for some reason it's not showing up on my computer.

Aw schnaps!

That's so awesome looking! The one of Mariska and Chris cracks me up, and the one of M laying on the ground is adorable.

Thanks! I wish I got to do this type of stuff at work, lol. Anyway I've never been more excited for SVU. I can't wait until the 200th ep.

Thanks for the link trixie.

Thats funny...lol...I needed the laugh today...thanks

Thank you very much, Trixie! That's awesome :-) The pictures are so funny

SVU Production Blog was updated April 14th.

April 14, 01:29 PM

Answering Your Questions

So in response to an overwhelming amount of questions about Benson's boyfriend:

Yes, Bill Pullman is playing Benson's boyfriend. Is it a long term thing? You'll have to watch "Closet" on April 22 to find out!

Is Vincent Spano out of the picture? I wouldn't say that. I know so many of you out there feel a connection to Benson and really want us to get more into her love life. I am not a writer or a producer but I can tell you to be patient and stay tuned.


On 4/8 Fearless4LifeJHF asked:

1. Do you guys shoot in the same locations (when you're not on a sound stage) most of the time and just change things up to make it look different, or do you change locations each episode?

2. Also, I saw you were shooting last Friday in Grand Central Station, and I was wondering how you work around the hundreds of people walking through constantly while you're filming. Do you just work them into the shot (ie: are the crowds in the shot really just the crowd there at the time) or did you rope off the part of the station you used (even though I noticed Chris & Mariska ran through most of the main concourse!) and then use the extras you chose as the people in your crowd?

1. There are certain areas where we like to shoot when we are not at the sound stage, but not in the same apartment or specific location. Any film crew will tell you they'd rather shoot in a quieter neighborhood as opposed to Times Square, as everything goes quicker with smaller crowds around. A good example is when we have scenes that are scripted in Central Park. Regulations and times when we can shoot in the real Central Park are restrictive, so we often use a park somewhere else in the city and make it seem like it's Central Park.

2. Believe it or not, all the people you saw in the Grand Central Terminal scene were hired background actors. We have PA's stop foot traffic when we are actually rolling, so the crowds of people you saw were all actors. Since you saw that we were shooting, you are aware that we were shooting at off peak hours at Grand Central so it would be easier to control the crowds. Occasionally people are seen who aren't hired background. However, we have HUGE signs posted all over our sets stating that we are filming and that people's entrances into the area is their agreement and acknowledgment that they may be seen and we have the right to use the footage they are seen in.


On 4/6 Olivia S asked:

"Do Chris and Mariska respond to Olivia and Elliot or Benson and Stabler since so many people know them as their acting roles instead of their real names?"

As with any actor/s who have been playing the same role for some time, our actors are used to being called by their character names. Would they prefer to be called by their real names in public? I'm sure they would.

Do I dare get happy? And out of all of the questions asked, they thought this was important enough to address? I am all warm and fuzzy right now. BRING BACK VINCENT!!!!! Dean is the man Liv's been looking for. He's "the one"! Kurt was never going to last because his job will always conflict with Liv's, and Liv will never know if she can completely trust him even if he is very trustworthy.

I am so going back to my Delivia happy place right now. Thank you Trixie!

ANDREA

My Delivia hope has been restored

It is a little curious. Obviously there were a ton of questions asking about Porter, but he's flaming the fire. Also he doesn't give a straight answer ever about the Porter/Benson situation or lack thereof. I vote that there is hope. Also it could be that the Pullman thing is just to get the viewers used to Benson in a relationship and the idea of her trying to settle down. Leaving the door open for the real deal.

Many of us were right on point with our analysis of what happened in that basement. Mariska conveyed what she was supposed to...

Check out the latest blog:

http://blog.nbc.com/laworder_svu/production_blog/

April 18, 12:27 PM


Going Undercover
I'm glad everyone liked "Undercover." After reading your responses, a lot of people are pointing out how hard it was to see such a strong, independent woman like Benson have to struggle as a victim. SVU fan345 said it best: "She's supposed to be the protector so to see her needing to be protected was hard." Benson is the protector we've seen for so long, but Tuesday's episode showed that Benson is both a strong cop and a real woman. Trapped in a prison basement, Benson tried to save herself with her police training, but it was obvious that training wasn't going to be enough to save her. In the end, her training kept him away from her long enough for Fin to rescue her at the last minute. I too think this was one of Mariska's best performances on SVU.

I'm also noticing that many people heard about Diane Neal. This wouldn't be a production blog if I didn't confirm the rumors to be true. I am sorry to say she will not be returning next season -- and on our season finale "Cold" (set to air on May 13th), you'll find out why. We are going to miss her terribly.

Figured I'd answer a few questions:

On 4/16 Wondering asked: Who played the main female prisoner in Undercover?
Her name is Tawny Cypress. She's been on K-Ville and Heroes (among many other
shows).

On 4/16 Sydney asked: After all Benson has gone through in "Undercover" will
we see how she deals with her emotions in upcoming episodes?
Yes, especially next season.

Stay tuned on 4/22 for another amazing episode, "Closet" -- it's not just a gay football player who's in the closet. Benson has her own secret relationship -- played by Bill Pullman.


ANDREA

That last production ost kind of made me sad.

I m not sure if I will miss Casey but I feel bad for Diane.

Even though i know there ar only 4 shows left this season it still is amazing to me we just got a new episode and in less than a month it will be over. Last seson it went to May 22nd, I wish we had at least one more. That really bites!

Even though I prepared myself for MH departure after 10 I can tell everythnig coming into play is setting up that exit. The baby thing, and then saying she will deal with her emotions about being nearly raped especially next season? I am more convinced Olivia time at SVU is coming to an end and she will proably leave to have a family. I will be happy for her but sad none he less.

The thing that is bothering me the most about the production blog (and I know, this is messed up) the last eppi of the season "Cold" will explain why Casey is going, so I am afraid the lest eppi of the season will be a mostly Casey episode and I really don't want that.

Oh well, new show next Tuesday!

It kind of made me sad as well. Don't give a crap about Casey, but I suddenly thought that Olivia Benson will more than likely be leaving the unit. I don't want to watch S10 and have to think about MH leaving. I want to focus on the eppy/case.

Sad times ahead, indeed...


ANDREA

Wah, don't make me think about this. Think happy thoughts...think happy thoughts...

SVU Production Blog was updated 4/23/08.

http://blog.nbc.com/laworder_svu/production_blog/

Production Blog April 23, 02:56 PM

Giants Stadium Scouting

So what did everyone think about episode #199: "Closet?" It seems as though Bill Pullman's character, Kurt Foss, will not last with Benson. Keep watching and you might see some more "secrets" about our detectives that you didn't know about.

To step away from the actors for a second: This was one of the crew’s favorite shows to shoot considering we got to film at Giants Stadium. We got to see the Jets’ and Giants' locker rooms, the Giants' weight training room, and best of all BE ON THE FIELD. The crew was having 100-yard dash races and were trying to kick field goals. I hit a 45-yarder, unfortunately none of the Giants scouts were watching, haha.

Here's some photos from when we were scouting. Scouting is what we do before we actually shoot at a location to see if it is doable:

Go to the blog to see the photos.


A Few Questions:

On 4/21 Catherine asked: How can we find out more about the designers Mariska wears? Is there a costumer designer we can write to?

I spoke to our costume designer for you. Mariska wears a lot of "Rag & Bone". She wears "Theory" pants and "J Brand" Jeans. And to be honest, her tops, jackets, and shoes vary from "H & M" to "Gucci". There isn't just one brand she mainly wears.

On 4/20 Lauren asked: Is next year really Chris and Mariska's last year on SVU?

I get this question a lot. Season 10 is NOT Chris and Mariska's last year on SVU. At the end of the season their contracts are up, that doesn't mean they will not resign a new deal and come back.

On 4/23 Kristi asked: Who was the actor that played Lincoln Haven on the Closet episode?

His name was Bailey Chase and he actually played football at Duke when he was in college.

So here we go, onto number 200! Stay tuned for next week; I'll post some behind the scene photos from 200th episode.

oooo...thanks for the info trixie! I'm excited by more secrets. Lol.

Thanks for the info trixie.

Thanks for posting! It's cool to hear what Mariska wears; I've always wondered that.

On 4/20 Lauren asked: Is next year really Chris and Mariska's last year on SVU?

I get this question a lot. Season 10 is NOT Chris and Mariska's last year on SVU. At the end of the season their contracts are up, that doesn't mean they will not resign a new deal and come back.



Sounds like this person might know something we don't. I hope they come back, if they don't I don't think I could watch it anymore.

Are they really going to stay on for longer? That'd be 10+ years. That's really, really long. Maybe they'll use season 11 as a way to introduce more Fin and Munch and other detectives?

Mariska did indicate in an interview last spring that season 10 will likely be her last. She said she would like to do something with a less hectic schedule and I think she would also like to have another child. We will have to wait and see. I'm surprised that question was even answered in the first place.

ILoveTheShow Posted Today, 01:06 PM
Mariska did indicate in an interview last spring that season 10 will likely be her last. She said she would like to do something with a less hectic schedule and I think she would also like to have another child. We will have to wait and see. I'm surprised that question was even answered in the first place.

I'm not surprised in the least that they answered that question, or in how they answered. TPTB want to keep people's hopes up that Chris and Mariska will not leave at the end of season 10. It costs them nothing to say there is a possibility they will resign to do more seasons.

I agree with Hisgirl. TPTB want us hoping for more of them. I think though deep down they know it'll be over come season 11.

Hisgirl and Kamara: good points, didn't think of those.

SVU Production Blog was updated May 1st. It's an on the set celebration of the 200th episode with pics. Take a look at that cake! There are pics of Mariska, Chris, Neal Baer , & Ted Kotcheff

http://blog.nbc.com/laworder_svu/production_blog/

Thanks for the link...

That cake looks so good, thanks for the link trixie.

Thanks for that. Cute pictures.

Thanks Trixie!

Also, did anyone notice in the comments, somebody said "And to the person who said they wanted to see more of Stabler's family. I've seen enough of Stabler's family to last the rest of my natural life. I can't stand hearing about the baby in every episode. Who cares!". Okay, that made me laugh, cause it resonates so much with what's going on in the authority thread.

The pics were awesome. Now I can put a face to a name when I think of Neal Baer.

Please don't bring up this arguement in another thread...thanks...

I was just commenting on something I read, which was in the production blog. Nothing needs to be read into it...just an observation.