Behind The Music Episode 6-14

Episode 6: Careless Whisper, from Seether. I choose the song due to the lyrics really being about people having feelings for each other. Throughout the episode you felt like someone still had unresolved feelings for someone else, such as Kate with Austin and of course Jacob and Vanessa. Fan's were receptive to the song choice in this episode and the quote "I feel so insecure as I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor."

Episode 7: Breaking Inside, from Shinedown. This was a very hard episode to choose a theme song for probably the hardest of the season because the song had to be perfect. One of the strangest scenes is Karen confronting Vanessa and the death of her daughter. Callie and Tyler's relationship is tested and I felt the quote worked very well with the final scene between Sharon and Garrett. "Leaving pieces of me behind. And I feel like I'm breaking inside."

Episode 8: Hide and Seek, from Imogen Heap. The episode theme song is the only song in the series to have been changed since the planning of the series. The original song was I Don't Care- by Apocalyptica ft. Adam Gontier from Three Days Grace. However while writing the episode itself I had Imogen Heap on and came across "Hide and Seek". Overall I thought the tone of what was going in the episode fit better with "Hide and Seek" opposed to the original song and quote. "Where are we? What the hell is going on? The dust has only just begun to form. Crop circles in the carpet. Sinking, feeling."

Episode 9: Favorite Sin, from Within Reason. The episode was guest written by Rob Hill producer and writer for Forever and A Day. I felt he did a wonderful job with the episode and even the application of the quote. You've been given all I have when you come around I seem to give in. In a fight, I'll never win, 'cause all the while, you're my favorite sin."

Episode 10: Take It All Away, from Red. Coming Soon, will air as our lost episode.

Episode 11: White Flag, from Dido. Austin and Liz's wedding it was very important when I was planning that I ran across this song for their wedding. Seeing how they did follow through with the wedding readers were left with a much different insight to the wedding party and the relations to people inside of that wedding party. Readers actually stated is was their favorite episode of the season next to episode 1. "I will go down with this ship and I won't put my hands up and surrender. There will be no white flag above my door. I'm in love and always will be."

Episode 12: Closer, from Burn Season. I will admit it I wanted a dark and twisted song for this episode due to the heavy themes that occur. Paige confessing her crime to Shane, Jake and Vanessa's graveyard kiss, Liz's bout with drugs and Kate again running to Austin's aid in the mist of a crisis I felt the quote was appropriate. "You say I'm stuck somewhere back in between. My blurred memories."

Episode 13: Life Left To Go, from Safetysuit. This was a tough episode to write, I had bought the album early and had listened to the song while planning. Overtime it stuck with me, as the past if being exposed and the hospital scenes with Liz came to light I felt it fit with the episode. The quote from the song was the hardest part of the entire thing to pick, eventually I end up with the following part to date the longest quote on the series. "Sometimes the edge serves, as more than a friend. Than you thought it would be and the pages you write, in your journal each night. Are your only release, and the mask you put on. It’s like words in a song. But there’s more to be seen, and the failures you see don’t seem failures to me here at all."

Episode 14: Violet Hill. from Coldplay. Everyone who knows me know that I don't like Coldplay I find them annoying, I had purchased the song last year cause I liked the guitar rift. I never really listened to the lyrics, it randomly came across the IPhone while I was planning the season and talk about creepy. It fit so well with the creepy factor for me. I ending up using my favorite quote from the song, as a reminder to the cover up. "When the future's architectured. By a carnival of idiots on show. You'd better lie low."

Season Wrapping Up...Info on the Lost Summer Episode

Season 1 is looking to wrap up in West Lake in the next 5 episodes. Questions will finally be answered regarding the accident with Hannah. Paige's history will come all the way out and the canvas will be rocked. The finale is looking to wrap up at the end of March/early April. The show will then go on a two month hiatus before Season 2 starts in June.

The "Lost" episode was hinted at on site bearing technically difficulty this is your chance to hear about it firsthand. The thumb drive crashed taking with it 6 scenes that were to air in Episode 10. With no backup of the episode on hand and instead of rewriting the episode in the next few weeks I did a poll. The result came back to air the episode in full over the summer after I have the time to re-write it as the lost episode. Readers, will be able to flow into Episode 11 very easily even if Episode 10 is delayed. I will put up a recap of the episode breakdown on the site to help with this transition.

With season 1 wrapping up readers will see two more new characters grace the canvas Peter Jones, represented by Ian Somerhalder. The other will be state attorney Simon Hoffman, his first airdate is in Episode 13 and will be represented by Billy Zane. In the last of casting news the decision has been made to recast the role of Callie Morris, I am also the first to admit it is purely for selfish reasons. Pictures and footage of Elizabeth Hendrickson are very hard to find, the search is on for a young actress in her early twenties brunette to take over the role.

Season 2 will present a few new twists and turns in the series the fallout from Hannah's accident will have lasting effects on the canvas. A full Season 2 preview will be released here on the blog and on the site later while the series is on season break. Including storyline previews for the Second season, casting news for a few characters that will be appearing in season 2. If all goes well I will have the opening credits as well finally completed for the series.

West Lake will also be crossing over with a new show Aztec Springs. Though I cannot release the full details yet on this crossover that has been in the works for a few months I can tell you it is explosive and will have lasting effects on both shows. Aztec Springs is written by my very good friend Chris Coleman. Chris and I have worked together for numerous years on various projects, look for his series to premier sometime in the next few weeks the slated date is Valentine's Day.

Stay tuned for the next update, which will be another in depth look at the songs used on West Lake and their relation to the episodes that are represented.

A Look Behind the music theme on West Lake...and Casting News

A Look Behind the Music on West Lake...

As many may of discovered recently West Lake has a theme song for each episode starting with Episode 1: Shattered. The entire season is set to a play list based on a set that was playing on my I-Phone with a few changes here and there should there be something else that may of caught my ear on the radio since beginning the series. Each song was chosen for a certain reason and each song is an important part of how everything comes together in the series.

Episode 2: Echoes and Silence, is taken from the song Home by the Foo Fighters. When planning the episode layout the song came onto the IPod was in the middle of planning the homecoming of Vanessa. The entire episode was set with themes of silence and deep reflection that I felt fit for the episode. "Echoes and silence. Patience and grace." really struck out to me as the basis for the episode and the lyric highlight from the song.

Episode 3: In The Air, is taken from the Phil Collins or the Holly McNarland cover, though I prefer Holly's version. The Episode heavily focused on the secrets around the accident and uncovering what real human motivation was behind the accident. "Well, if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend you a hand." was a huge line reflecting that even if someone you love is drowning in something human nature often times asks us to close the door on helping them.

Episode 4: Running Up That Hill, is taken from the song by the same title from artist Placebo. It is a dark song reflected on wanting to trade ones present with someone else. The song I felt was a powerful reflection about the struggles of the episode with everyone coping with their relationships. From Tyler wanting the truth about the accident, Karen and her decent after her daughter's death, Vanessa's guilt over the accident and other themes. "There is so much hate for the ones we love. Tell me we both matter don't we?"

Episode 5: It Doesn't Matter, Allison Krause and Union Station. The episode heavily centers around the hearts desires and the lies associated with protecting things that cannot be. From the strain in a friendship, to a strain in a relationship between a parent and a child, a current budding relationship and of course relationships in the past where you recollect what could have been. "It doesn't matter what I want. It doesn't matter what I need."

Music on West Lake as you can tell is eclectic to say the least from soft rock, alternative all the way to country. Check back at a later date to get a more in depth look at the music featured in West Lake.

Casting News

Garret Harvell, the coveted role of Cade, Callie and Vanessa's father has been cast. Dylan McDermott (pictured left) takes over the role in a phone call to his estranged wife Sharon Morris; portrayed by Catherine Bell in Episode 5. Garret's role is a supporting role in the series.

Logan Marshall Green (pictured below) has joined the cast in the role of Ryan Davidson. Son of missing professor Elliot Davidson and brother to Brian McAllister. He has a few secrets up is sleeve especially with two ladies on canvas but most importantly Paige and her past. The role is a contract role and he will play out through the rest of season one and into season two of the series.

A Summer Murder Mystery kicks off on West Lake

The stage is set for a gripping murder mystery that, I hope will leave you guessing until the very end.

The story starts with the mysterious accident that killed beloved town resident Hannah Donovan, pictured on the left and played by Danielle Harris. In the opening episode we learned that Hannah went to the grave with a secret. The person who was sentenced for her death Vanessa Harvell is released from prison. Brian McAllister wrote a book, that is near publication that sets everyone on edge. Finally Hannah’s brother Tyler, decides to open the case again to get to the bottom of it all.

Though her character may be dead as readers found out from reading episode one, Hannah will be featured in a few flashback episodes. Something that I debated heavily on whether or not to bring Hannah back from the dead in some capacity or just let her remain as a mentioned character every now and then. Eventually I decided to have the opening scene of the series from Hannah’s perspective.

Everyone on the canvas seems to be effected by Hannah’s death including: best friend who was behind the wheel of the car Vanessa Harvell (Sophia Bush), Hannah’s youngest brother Tyler Donovan (Ben Mckenzie), best friends Austin Alexander (Jared Padelecki) and Jacob Donovan (Jensen Ackles) as well as countless others. There is also the mystery of who is blackmailing Paige Alexander (Maggie Grace) and readers are already wanting to know the dish behind author Brian McAllister (Austin Nicols) and his true intentions when it comes to why he wanted to write a book about the accident in the first place.


With the stage set and many more secrets to unfold as the story progresses. Such as who is blackmailing Paige Alexander (Maggie Grace), pictured above. I encourage you to pull up your seat to your nearest computer screen and take a ride into West Lake. With episodes slated to air every other week you can be sure that is is going to be a good mysterious ride. Set much like a gripping prime time drama, with soap opera elements included this compelling new series hopes to leave readers always guessing.

Many have asked about the title of the episode as well and the quote behind it. Shattered is a song written and performed by the band Trading Yesterday, the quote is a lyric from the song that I felt fit the episode. If you are wanting to check out the song in full you can click on the link below:

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

There are certain lyrics that fit with what Hannah went through with her death, as well the reactions of those around her. From the grief that her brother was struggling with. From the struggle from the characters featured in the opening from reflecting on the accident that, I felt really shattered the lives of the community.

Keep checking back each week for behind the scenes look at the episodes featured on West Lake.