Filming In Washington, D.C.
When the crew first went to Washington, D.C. to film, it was a struggle to obtain permission to film in most locations. Many thought the series was “just another bad political TV show,” according to Director/Executive Producer Thomas Schlamme. But once the series aired, feelings about the show changed almost instantly. Schlamme recalled one particular incident, telling the Hollywood Reporter: “I remember one night, Brad, Janel and I were shooting in front of the West Wing, and somebody had recognized Brad and said: ‘We’re doing night duty in the situation room downstairs. When you guys get done, come down and have a drink.’ Next thing we know, we’ve wrapped and we’re in the situation room at 2:30 in the morning drinking vodka.”
