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Production is in work on a special episode of ‘This is Us’ with cast members using iPhones, MacBook Pros and iPads to shoot their own scenes while producers and directors oversee remotely from their home locations.

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Creator Dan Fogelman decided to put together an episode after watching the Today show produce quality programs day after day using makeshift sets and equipment. The measure was taken after an NBC member tested positive for the coronavirus.

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Similar to “Modern Family’s” 2015 Apple-centric episode, that revolved around the family communicating via devices, the Pearson’s storyline starts with Kevin at the family cabin making plans for a new home. With only an hour before the architect arrives, he seeks out family members input on the design, using Apple’s group FaceTime app.

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Fogelman sees this as an opportunity to put dozens of crew members back to work, all remotely, utilizing computers and online collaboration to write, edit and make numerous production designs and decisions. Since the coronavirus forced millions of Californians to stay home, over 120,000 IATSE crew members lost their jobs due to shutdowns.

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Production on the episode begins next week.

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Thank you for reading my fake “Follywood Reporter” article. It a part of my ENTR 334 assignment for my master’s in entrepreneurship degree at the University of Arizona. The concept is called "Necessity Entrepreneurship." -Nina Shelton