From Lesson Plans to Scripts
Written by Danielle Sanzone, Troy/The Record
WATERVLIET >> A long-time teacher in the Watervliet School District premiered a new web series last week called “The Wig People.”
Todd Birmingham, a special education teacher at the city’s junior high school, has been working steadily on this project for two years. He even recruited three fellow teachers, a bus driver, and three students to helping with the supporting acting roles and behind the scenes work.
But the comedy/mystery series, broken up into a total of nine episodes that will be aired online each Wednesday, stars a fictional family that is all actually played by Birmingham’s real family – including his three children who are 9, 5, and 2.
“I believe it is the only fiction web series that stars a real family. It makes us unique,” said Birmingham, a veteran actor with about two decades of experience mainly with TV commercials. “I wanted the kids to have fun with me and get involved with acting.”
The storyline of the series revolves around the search for the family’s missing mother.
But the plot also follows Birmingham’s character, the lead in the show, figuring out why he sees people wearing wigs.
The idea for the show came about when he did a short film with his three children which was shown at the Ballston Spa film festival. One of the characters wore a wig and received a lot of positive comments.
“I thought ‘Why not develop this character more?’ and I came up with this world,” said Birmingham, who was seen on an annual basis in a Valentine’s Day commercial for Price Chopper where, for every item he got for his wife, she gave him a kiss and eventually pulled him by the tie off the set.
“They say to write what you know and I know comedies and enjoy a good mystery,” he said of the show which has been broken up into two seasons with four episodes in the first and five in the second.
Along with starring in the series, Birmingham also was the director, writer, casting director, and producer. He hired professionals to help with the quality of the visuals and sound so the audience could truly enjoy and appreciate the 3 minute to 9 minute episodes available on his YouTube channel and on VBCTV.com.
He joked that he broke the two cardinal rules of filming by having scenes with both babies and pets.
“Getting a 1-year-old to do five takes is not easy, and a lot of scenes involved all three kids,” he said.
Scenes were shot at the Jewish Community Center in Albany, the Watervliet City School District, and some outdoor areas in the Capital District.
“I’m relieved we’re at the finish line and ecstatic at the reaction so far,” said Birmingham.
He said he has reserved the GE theater at Proctors to show all nine episodes in just under an hour with a Q/A to follow with the cast and crew on April 9. Those interested in attending the free event can reach him at info@toddbirmingham.com.
Danielle Sanzone may be reached at www.twitter.com/DanielleSanzone