Friday, October 10, 2008

Martha Stewart's Skull

Today's skulls are actually potato stamp images made by me (left) and Martha Stewart (right) during my appearance on The Martha Stewart Show (which airs today in most cities, and Monday on the Fine Living Network)...


I actually went up to the New York earlier this week to tape the show, which is done before a live audience.

The day before the shoot I got to meet the awesome folks that work in the craft department. They were setting up the materials we would need on the set (including displaying some of my own skulls that I brought along). I got a quick rundown on what was happening and I was even given a scoop of custom Martha Stewart M&Ms with her face on them...


The next day I went to the studio and was met by the associate producer for the segment who showed me to my private dressing room! However it wasn't long before I was ushered onto the kitchen part of the set to prepare a "Peanut Butter and Skully" to share with Martha. They very kindly provided organic peanut butter, jelly and bread, just like I used on the original!...


After I was done I got to check out the enormous, incredibly detailed set, where I would be doing my thing. I actually met Martha briefly and she said a few kind words about my book before I had to get back to preparing (you can see her in the distance in this image)....


Then I had to do a dress rehearsal of my part with the segment producer who played the role of Martha. We went through the questions I would be answering so that they could prepare the appropriate graphics and camera angles. The taping is done in order with all the actual titles and graphics, so everything has to be planned very carefully.


After all of the other segments had their dress rehearsals (with their own producers) it was time to bring in the audience. I was in the first two segments so I waited in the wings while Martha did her introduction and then it was my turn to go on. Of course despite all the planning, nothing really prepares you the real thing. Martha was quite funny and asked several questions I was totally unprepared for, so she definitely kept me on my toes!


After the interview section we took a commercial break and they set up for the craft segment. Martha was showing how to make potato stamps to use for decorating treat bags (directions can be found HERE). We made them side-by-side while continuing to banter. I must admit making a skull in under two minutes on camera in not my forte. We displayed our end results and after a little more talk about the book Martha actually surprised me with a gift from her and the crew that they had made especially for me...


I was also able to surprise her with a little gift of my own, one of my "I [heart] [skulls]" stickers! She also surprised the audience by telling them that they would all be getting a copy of my book SKULLS! After saying goodbye to Martha it was back to the dressing room for me.

I packed up all my stuff while watching the rest of the show from a closed circuit TV. Then I headed out the studio doors, only to run into the audience as they were leaving as well. I was immediately mobbed by about ten Martha fans who wanted me to sign their books, which I was happy to oblige!

All in all it was an amazing whirlwind experience. Everyone I met there was incredibly kind and only had nice things to say about Skull-A-Day and the book. I can only imagine how stressful it must be to keep a daily "live" show on track and yet, things were extremely efficiently run and people did their jobs with a smile. Color me very impressed. I guess it should come as no surprise then that most people I talked to had worked there for at least 4 years and some as many as 14!

If you miss the show on TV be sure to check on the Martha Stewart website for an online version in a day or two.

And I'll post a photo of Martha and I together as soon as I get the image from the people at the show!

24 comments:

Karen said...

I hope you were inspired to make some custom skull M&Ms??

Nikoli said...

While not a MS fan, I'm stoked you had such a great experience! Very cool that the audience got a copy of your book too. All this from a creative online project? Who'd a thunk it? :)

bella said...

Excellent!! I wish I could be home to watch the episode. Glad you had such a great time.

I'm not much of a Martha fan, either. Everytime I've watched the show I am scared for her guests. I feel like she's mean to them. Don't ask me why. But I do love all the projects I've ever seen on that show.

Unknown said...

I happened to be home today and MS was on. I watched your segment. You did a fabulous job!
My husband is a funeral director so we have lots of skulls, urns, hearses around the house. Your 'Skulls' book is now on his Christmas list!
I will add that I thought it was funny that Martha didn't know what 'anal rententive' meant. You explained it very well. I use that phrase all the time and probably would have been caught off guard by her not knowing what it meant!

solamar7 said...

Bravo! Nice spot on Martha! Well I would say you have made a great impression.. watched a special on Discovery last night on the 13 Crystal skulls.. I would say I am totally Skull enamoured! I too will be getting your book!
Nice web site too!!

Terry Border said...

A friend emailed me to let me know you were on, but I saw the message too late. I look forward to seeing it online though.

Awesome news though. Fan-tas-tic!

Anonymous said...

What Nikoli said, congratulations!

r4kk4 said...

congrats, noah!! this is so wonderful! i can't wait to see the segment! (a little later than karen since i'm on pdt out here on the west coast. haha!)

Tim said...

Great story! Goes to show that deep down, even Martha Stewart has a skull inside her. Looking forward to watching this on Tivo tonight.

bella said...

Who doesn't know what "anal retentive" means? Come on Martha. lol.

M Ryan Taylor said...

Wonderful awesome! There's nothing like the 'rush' of being on live TV. They always have quite a hectic schedule (I've sung a couple of times for local channels). I imagine, and it sounds like, a national program like Martha Stewart is quite a bit of clockwork. Congratulations on being on such a high profile gig!

~ Ryan

P.S.I added a link to your site on ThirteenforHalloween.com

Jessica at Bwlchyrhyd said...

I am SO jealous! Can't wait till it's posted on the web site so I can see it over here...

Keltie said...

Wow! I was so vicariously excited for you, and it looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing it with us in so much detail!

katillac deVille said...

Noah Scalin and his skulls on Martha Stewart - It's a good thing

*duck*

batgrrlnyc said...

I think you did a great job, but, man, Martha's annoying. Could she interrupt any more? Kudos for handling her as well as you did! I'm so psyched for your success!

Anonymous said...

I wish I would have caught your appearance. And ha ha ha about the anal retentive thing. So many jokes pop to mind when thinking about Martha, but I'll be nice since she was nice to you. I can't wait to see your book though! Am curious to see if my skull made it in. If yes, good. If not, that's ok. I think you've done an incredibly creative book and should be proud. Congratulations and much success!

Anonymous said...

Great segment today! I had not heard of your blog or book but just bought it from Amazon.

I can't wait to share it with my 2 boys and use you as a great example. A man who is creative & crafty and not afraid to share that part of himself with the world.

Thank you for that!
Wishing you the best,
Tracey

Elin said...

As always, you rock!

Suzanne Dargie said...

Wow! That's pretty freakin' amazing being on Martha Stewart. I have to admit she's got some great Hallowe'en ideas! That's usually the only time of year I watch her show.
I'll have to try and catch it online. (I'm going to copycat her coffin box idea....like I did making coffin and gravestone shaped cookies a few years back!)

full scale said...

Now I can say: "Hey I know him, isn't he cute!"
Great job and much deserved for all of your work, but don't let it go to your skull :.,

Roughstock Jess said...

Man, my boyfriend thought I was insane for recording Martha Stewart, and after all that the stupid DVR recorded the wrong episode. Now I have to wait till Monday to see the rerun!

Rainvirus said...

Oops! I erased my Post.... I discovered you on Martha Stuart! Yes I admit I love her! I even subscribe to her magazine! She has great ideas. I loved you so much I went right out that afternoon and bought 2 copies of your book. Also I agree everything tastes better in skull form! I have been making Skull Banana Muffins every week for over 10 years! I think I will go fix myself a PB & Skully sandwich now! Thanks for the inspiration!

Annette said...

Loved the segment on MS! I've already ordered a copy of your book from Amazon. Am wondering whether or not the skull dot-to-dot Joey was doing on the show is available. My kids' classroom Halloween parties are coming up, and I think that would be a great activity for them.
Many thanks.

Noah said...

Here's the Connect the Skull