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Did you catch the 1998-99 season premiere of Home Improvement on ABC? A surprise birthday party for Tim -- a whitewater rafting trip in Kernville, CA! Tim is all set to be a couch potato for his birthday until Jill surprises him with a whitewater rafting trip in Kernville! Heidi, Al, Wilson, and Jill all join Tim for a wild adventure. |
| The episode was shot on location in Kernville, CA on the Limestone section of the Upper Kern. Sierra South owner Tom Moore and local boater and photographer Barry Tessman coordinated all of the river stunts and safety for the week of shooting. Home Improvement goes on location once a season. The production company has a staff of 70+ people. Sierra South had a staff of over 20 people working in the background and on film as stunt doubles. The production crew rented Limestone campground for the entire week while staying in motels back in Kernville. "The crew was great to work with", said Tom Moore, "for a lot of them, this was their first experience filming on a river. It wasn't easy to get the action and all of the dialog in a few takes. Resetting is quite a challenge. " Tim, Heidi, Al, and Wilson were all up to the challenge. Tom spent a morning training the cast on how to boat through the class III stuff while Barry and the rest of the Sierra South crew set up cables, pulleys, camera rigs, etc. We had eight rafts and catarafts running all around in addition to safety kayaks, guides with throw bags, shuttle vehicles, etc. " We nicknamed Tim the million dollar man", said Tom, " because we realized that if he ever went for a swim, we had better get to him before he even hits the water." In addition to providing the camera boats and safety, two local Kernville boaters got parts as stunt doubles. Look for Katharine Haines to double as Jill in a scene where Jill trips, falls down, and hurts her back. Tom Moore, doubles for Wilson in a couple of scenes in the raft in bigger water. " I just want to know the reason why they made me shave if I am doubling in a stunt for a guy whom you've never seen his nose or mouth on the show before?" joked Tom. Because of its proximity to Los Angeles and its recreational and scenic value, the Kernville area has been selected for an increasing number of commercial, film, and other productions. Just three hours from Los Angeles are locations that provide world-class rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, off-roading, and many other outdoor activities in a spectacular river and mountain setting. For more info please download Tom Moore's SAG Resume (Adobe Acrobat PDF) or call Tom at 800-376-7303. |
