Train 48
| Train 48 | |
|---|---|
| Created by |
Eric Lunsky Duncan McKenzie |
| Starring |
Krista Sutton Paul Braunstein Paul Sun-Hyung Lee Raoul Bhaneja Andrew Kenneth Martin Lisa Merchant Joanne Boland Joe Dinicol Jack Mosshammer Ingrid Hart Amy Price-Francis |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| No. of episodes | 318 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Budget | $40,000 (per episode) |
| Release | |
| Original network | Global Television Network |
| Original release | June 2, 2003 – July 1, 2005 |
Train 48 was a Canadian television soap opera, broadcast on Global Television Network or CH (depending on location) airing from 2003 until 2005. Train 48 was based on the format of an Australian television program called Going Home.
The show was broadcast daily, and recorded the same day. It took place in a railway car of a GO Train on Lakeshore West line returning from Toronto to the suburb of Burlington, Ontario, and followed the lives of 12 daily commuters through their interactions. Although major plot lines were written in advance, much of the dialogue was improvised by the actors. The entire series was shot on a 64-foot replica of a GO Train Bombardier Bi-Level Coach, which kept production costs to a minimum.
The train setting allowed a basic construct where characters would share and act upon their opinions and views. The same-day recording allowed for comments on topical news stories to be introduced. The filming production was completed by 1:30 p.m. and edited by 5:00 p.m., later broadcast into regular time slots in different regions of Canada throughout the day (7:00 p.m. weeknights on Global in Toronto). It is estimated that each 30 minute episode cost $40,000 (Canadian) and had a typical audience of 200,000 to 300,000 viewers a night.
The method of improvisation, developed by show runners Duncan McKenzie and Eric Lunsky was a hybrid of techniques used by Mike Leigh and Keith Johnstone. Actors worked from outline scripts of just a few lines per scene, and an extensive character bio which provided each actor with a background of events and attitudes which might affect the scene.
The improvised format and quick turnaround enabled the inclusion of references to extremely current events, giving a heightened sense of realism and currency. For example, the 2003 North America blackout was mentioned the next day. The show typically dealt with fictional relationships, humour and the non-fictional topics mentioned were the cases of Scott Peterson, Karla Homolka, the SARS outbreak and different views about President George W. Bush.
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