The Lemon Tree: A Sitcom Pilot Shot On a Shoestring, Minus The Shoes.

Aug. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- The Lemon Tree -- First Pilot Episode -A half-hour comedy series, created by Gene Cartwright, 1994. Once again, "overnight" proves to be more than just a few hours.

In 1994, with no experience, the help of his best friend, and armed only with an idea, a clunky home-style, S-VHS camcorder, and boundless determination, Gene set about to write, cast, produce, and direct a sitcom.

He says: "In many ways, we benefitted from having no idea of how difficult this was supposed to be; and so it never seemed impossible. I'm told we were ahead of our time. This was long before any such programs on TV or in films. The truth is, there still aren't, really."

Brief synopsis:

The Lemon Tree was once a real salon, located on Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia California. Black, white and Hispanic operators, who call themselves 'The Crew', staff the fictional LEMON TREE, with its eclectic clientele. It is much more than a beauty salon—more like a shrink's office with a Salon.

It's a social club, an information exchange (house of gossip) Nothing is off-limits; no subject and no one is sacred. Its patrons are young and old, and mostly—but not exclusively— female. They reflect the tenor and pulse of the neighborhood and society in every way. If it happens in real life, it happens at The Lemon Tree.

Eighteen years ago, Gene was fortunate to have the indispensable assistance of his late, best friend, Lance Brown, and Kelly Choi—Gene's no-nonsense, chief assistant. He finalized a script for three episodes, created the so-called 13 episode "bible," ran Hollywood trade paper ads, cast, auditioned, rehearsed, and shot the first episode in one 19 hour shooting day. One amazing cast member, Kate McIntyre, was a principal cast member who remains a friend to this day.  

"Having no money, it wasn't hard figuring out what to pay some truly great actors and wonderful people: nothing. What we made clear was that, if the project was successful, they would reap the rewards. What we did provide was a dream, and some great home-cooked food, catered by Lance's wife, Patricia."

Oh, they also had no equipment, at least not the professional kind. "I had a clunky, home-style, semi-pro Panasonic AG-400P Super-VHS camcorder (which I still have in my old tech collection). Lighting was purchased from "Home Depot," and we created reflectors using large picture frames covered in lamé fabric."

"The location: the beauty salon, 'The Lemon Tree' was owned by a wonderful friend, Clara Banks. When I told of her of my idea, she excitedly said yes, "use the place as you wish. Just clean up, and don't break anything, she smiled and winked."

All the heavily mirrored stations were kept in place, and were used to provide reflective angles while not reflecting their very "professional" lighting. Still, they had challenges. A principal cast member had an afternoon flight home to Ohio that could not be missed. Her part was filmed out of sequence. Another "operator" could not come to the set until late, so Gene changed the script to reflect her being late for work. They got it all done.

Although, the final production could have been more slick and polished, the impossible was made possible, despite the limitations of a home camcorder, Home Depot lights, and a crew made up of any one standing around with a free hand. Take a look and see for yourself. The project is now 18 years old. Wow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeJtBE6wuQo



Unfortunately, no one in Hollywood gave them a minute of "pitch" time, and no agent gave them the time of day. They did approach Fox Television on their own, but never heard back. That's Hollywood. However, this experience remains foundational in Gene's determination to not only revive this project but to bring his first feature film, "Shadows in The Mist" to fruition. And he and his team will. Giving up is never an option.

With a growing body of work: eight novels now, seven screenplays—more in progress, Gene is hoping to involve newly discovered talent, everyday people, and others in the casting, financing, and production of future projects.

Before work begins on "Shadows In The Mist," he plans to produce an exciting film short: "The Waiting Game."

Gene see's his future epic project  as the adaptation of his Pulitzer-nominated novel, "A Family Gathering." 502p. hardcover. The completed "AFG" script is under revision. While Gene has tried to interest established directors from Norman Jewison to Tyler Perry in the daunting project, he is determined it will be done. He is prepared to do so himself, no matter how long it takes.

Visit Gene on Facebook at https://Facebook.com/gene.cartwright or at his web site, to track progress. http://GeneCartwright.com

Gene invites all the original "Lemon Tree" Cast members to contact him for first consideration regarding present and future opportunities. Contact him via Facebook or on http://GeneCartwright.com/contact.php.

Please follow on http://twitter.com/LemonTreeSitcom @LemonTreeSitcom