Charleston AFB hosts filming for 'Army Wives'

Published April 9, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Melissa White
437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Charleston AFB hosted the first Department of Defense-supported filming of the Lifetime Television show "Army Wives" Monday at the base exchange here.

Charleston members have been working with the production company since the beginning of December on this event and since then, the script for the episode has gone through the Air Force Entertainment Liaison Office and then to DOD officials for final approval April 2.

When the script was approved, the production company was given permission to access military subject matter experts, locations and equipment. However, producers must pay for what they use so they are not provided at the expense of taxpayers.

"Having DOD support for this is a totally new experience for us in this second season and getting the chance to shoot and work with the military is a great opportunity," said Harry Bring, the co-executive producer of "Army Wives." "They have literally bent over backward to help us and I have really enjoyed working with them."

"Army Wives" did not receive support from Army or DOD officials during the first season due to the dramatic content. By the end of the season, the DOD agreed to conceptual episode-to-episode approval.

"It brings accuracy as we're trying to portray real Army wives," said Sally Pressman, who plays a lead role as Roxy in "Army Wives." "With the approval of the Army and DOD, we have people making sure things are right and accurate. It's really great that the Air Force has opened up to us and allowed us to shoot here."

"As to why they're using Charleston -- for the location because they actually film in Charleston, and for the tax incentives the production company gets for filming here," said Chuck Davis, motion picture and TV liaison for the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs in Los Angeles. "And Charleston has beautiful C-17 aircraft that we hope to use in another episode later on with another idea we pitched to them."

In addition to using base facilities, the production company also hired 55 members of Charleston AFB to be extras. These active-duty Airmen, Reservists and family members were part of scenes in the base exchange as background shoppers. Air Force members who chose to participate in the show and attend the casting call were required to do so on off-duty time.

"It's pretty cool when you watch stuff on TV and then get the chance to be up front with the action," said Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Graham, 437th Airlift Wing Safety Office technician and an extra for the episode.

The filming on Charleston AFB will be for the second episode of season two, which is scheduled to air on Lifetime Television June 15. Until then, "Army Wives" episodes from season one will continue to run every Sunday until season two begins June 8.