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UNDER THE DOME Five Questions With … "A SEASON WITH NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL" EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JASON SCIAVICCO Jason Sciavicco is one of the executive producers in charge of the Show- time series "A Season With Notre Dame Football." He also was the executive producer of "Friday Night Tykes" in 2014, a look at youth football, and "Two-A-Days: Hoover High", which followed the Alabama prep power's preseason preparations, on MTV in 2006-07, among numerous other projects. BGI: What is your average day? Jackson: "Monday through Thursday, it usually starts at about 7 a.m. for our crews, covering offensive and defensive staff meetings and players going to class. In the afternoon, we follow them through team meetings and practice. "Then after practice, we'll follow them home or to other activities like dinner. The day can end around 10 or 11 at night." BGI: How many different parts go into producing such a premier show? Jackson: "On a day-to-day basis in the field, we have about 35 people. That does not include our post- production staff — that's probably another 30 people. "It takes a large group to do a show of this nature. A show like this has never been done before. A lot of people compare it to 'Hard Knocks,' but that's just a few weeks of preseason, whereas this follows a team for the entirety of a season." BGI: What stories does this show offer that make it different? Jackson: "Football is a big part of our series, but it goes beyond that. The players' lives, and the coaches' lives, outside of the building are important as well. "In a recent episode, we go to Coach [Mike] Sanford's home at 6:30 a.m., because that's the time he gets with his kids, taking them to the bus stop. The show encompasses all aspects of their lives." BGI: How has the feedback been so far? Jackson: "It's been very positive. The audience really likes getting to look behind the curtain. You see that we're in coaches meetings, in Brian Kelly's office when he's having meetings. "We're there every step of the way, and the audience is really getting to see what it's like to compete at this level. The only complaint is they wish the show was an hour instead of 30 minutes." BGI: What are some of the biggest challenges in making a show like this? Jackson: "The many hours that go into it. When the coaches are there at 7 a.m. and don't leave until late at night, we're there every step. "These coaches and players do not get a day off — a day off is Sunday, where they watch film, report to the training room and start scouting for next week." — Jordan Wells SCIAVICCO

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