Three young and highly motivated film/video students in the Tisch School of the Arts (TSOA) quickly learned the trials and tribulations of putting together a television sitcom on Tuesday.

Students Nate Craddock, Don Pavlish and Ben Zelevansky began the taping of a pilot for a teleplay named "Sitcom 2000". The project involved a crew of 30 people and four cast members. The television studios on the 12th floor of the 721 Broadway building were buzzing with all of the vibracity and creativity the students had to offer.

"Sitcom 2000" was written and is being directed by Craddock and Pavlish. Pavlish handled the direction on the set and Craddock directed from the control room. The co-directors of the sitcom complimented each other in the execution of various tasks. Craddock saw to it that the scenes shot were tight and perfect on screen, while Pavlish made sure that everyone on the set was in their places and ready to roll. Communicating through headsets, Pavlish and Craddock gave each other artistic criticisms and suggestions.

"My daydreams were cut like TV," pavlish said, "I could see editing in my sleep." Pavlish explained that the teleplay is about three people in their 20s who live in a suburban Midwestern college town. The twist to the sitcom is that the house is haunted by a ghost called Skipper.

"We wanted to do something with a lot of wackiness," Pavlish said. He also said that the characters are fun and smart people. According to Pavlish the comedy hits on both the slapstick and intellectual levels.

Ben Zelevansky took care of the production of the project, handling various tasks such as business, scheduling and casting. "My main focus is handling all of the things that Don and Nate shouldn't have to be bothered with," Zelevansky said. He added that he has been having a good time and that the experience he is getting will prove useful in the future. "Organization is the key," he said. Zelevansky said they are using TSOA's facilities to the fullest.

However, Pavlish and Craddock financed the extra items, such as microphones, artwork, and set design, themselves. Everyone working on the project was working for free. Nonetheless, the co-directors provided their staff with pizza and soda. In addition to the lunch, they hired a masseuse to give mini-massages to those who needed it most.

The cast members are professional actors, not students. Actors Lara Ingraham and Jason Oates both heard about the project in a classified ad in Backstage, a trade publication for actors. "It's great, everyone is really professional and the writing is great," Ingraham said. Oates agreed, saying that he was working with very talented young people and that it was all very exciting.

Associate professor Lynne McVeigh has been at NYU for 12 years and is [an] area head of TSOA's undergraduate film, television, and radio program. McViegh is the professor of Intermediate TV, which Pavlish and Craddock are taking this semester. McVeigh explained that the course was the only one that deals in narrative television and that it allows students to work together. Furthermore, McVeigh said that the student directors are literally editing shots as the go along. "It's a wonderful class," she said.

The common goal of everyone working on the project is its success. Craddock and Pavlish hope to sell "Sitcom 2000" to cable networks. "I'm hoping this takes me out to L.A.," Pavlish said.

For the most part they've learned that the task of keeping morale and energy levels high, as well as keeping everyone happy, is a difficult one. The crew and cast members of the teleplay will be wrapping things up after the second day of filming next Tuesday.