Crafting the First Encounter: An Interview with Director Dave Rogers for Upload Season 3

Article Overview

In "Rescue Mission," the fifth episode of season 3 of Upload, viewers can expect the long-awaited encounter between Nathan and his replica, which brings forth an unforeseen twist in the plot.

Director Dave Rogers shares his insights on helming the director's role once again in season 3, highlighting the exhilarating challenges that came with working on this particular episode.

The episode highlights the humor of Upload, while also incorporating elements of intrigue, love, and excitement, going beyond the usual sitcom format.

Greg Daniels created the series, with Dave Rogers serving as an editor and co-executive producer. Rogers, known for his work on The Mindy Project, The Office, and Parks and Recreation, directed Upload season 3, episode 5. The main cast features Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Kevin Bigley, Allegra Edwards, Zainab Johnson, and Owen Daniels. In an exclusive interview, our website spoke with Dave Rogers about his collaboration with Robbie Amell for the captivating portrayal of the interactions between the real Nathan and Back-Up Nathan in the episode "Rescue Mission."

Dave Rogers Talks Upload Season 3, Episode 5

Our website: How was stepping back into the director’s chair in season 3, given how much these characters have evolved since season 1?

Dave Rogers: I have been editing all the episodes and have witnessed their evolution. I am familiar with all their actions and have seen all the footage. It is satisfying to observe the progress of the show. Transitioning from the editing chair to working in the field was a great experience. Even receiving a warm welcome and seeing the actors when I initially arrived was a pleasant moment.

Our bond is strong as we have been together since the pilot. Episode 305 presented many challenges, but it was also enjoyable. The cast and crew are exceptional, including the talented director of photography, Simon, and the skilled set designer, Rachel. I worked with a fantastic assistant director named John. Overall, it was an incredible experience.

Did the comedy element of Upload play a role in attracting you to the series since you have experience working on various sitcoms? Greg is the one who brings me along. I collaborated with Greg on projects such as The Office, where I completed my work, and then Mindy Kaling invited me to join The Mindy Project. I worked on five out of six seasons of that show. After it concluded, Greg approached me again and offered me the opportunity to work on the pilot for Upload, which eventually became a series. I have a working partnership with Greg, and we have collaborated on other projects like Space Force. I am excited to see what lies ahead. I am particularly fond of Upload; it is a fantastic show.

I admire Greg for his decision to push his boundaries and venture into the realm of visual effects in his show. The series' ability to blend genres is truly impressive, offering a mix of comedy, satire, and even some intriguing elements from the very beginning, such as Nathan's humorous attempt to get a drink from the fridge, only to be met with the satire of "In-app purchase." Additionally, I appreciate the inclusion of mystery, romance, gore, and action, as it allows for a departure from the familiar realm of plain comedy or romantic comedies that I had grown accustomed to.

When Back-Up Nathan encountered Nora, although the impact may not have been as significant for her, this meeting held great significance for him as she was the woman he had loved and longed for but could never reach. I'm curious, what were your expectations from Robbie when he had to revisit that moment in time?

Dave Rogers explains that the dialogue in this scene is reminiscent of a previous encounter between Nora and Nathan in season 2. In that episode, Nathan mistakes Nora for Tinsley, a character with an avatar, but is stunned when Nora reveals her true identity. Similarly, in this scene, Nathan is seeing Nora for the first time, while Nora is already aware of his existence. There is comedic value in the fact that Nora doesn't immediately disclose that Nathan is a backup version of himself. Instead, she simply tells him to come along and promises to explain everything on the way. This scene explores Nora's mixed emotions towards real Nathan and Backup Nathan, as well as the complexity she faces in dealing with the ongoing conspiracy in the real world.

The highly anticipated meeting of Backup Nathan and real Nathan finally occurred in this episode. Can you share the process of creating that scene?

Dave Rogers: This was the pivotal moment when the two Nathans finally came face to face. Our aim was to create an exhilarating cinematic encounter between them. We wanted each shot to be more than just a simple split screen; we wanted to do something special. To achieve this, we utilized advanced technology to allow the characters to walk around and choreograph their interaction as they saw each other for the first time and assessed each other.

You are uncertain about their mutual feelings. It covers a wide range because they initially distrust each other, then cautiously gauge each other's intentions, and finally develop a close bond, finding it enjoyable. Afterward, you witness the unfolding of events when faced with an identical version of oneself. This duplicate desires something that the original possesses, and it raises questions about who is more content and who is less content. How do they harmonize and perceive each other?

Nathan's dance moves were impressively in sync with his copy. Were these movements filmed twice for post-production syncing?

Dave Rogers explains that they had to shoot everything twice. The first take was with Robbie as Nathan, and the second take was with Nathan Back-Up. They had specific camera angles for each take, with Nathan doing his pass and then Nathan Back-Up doing his takes. They would then move on to the next set-up, with Nathan Back-Up already dressed and arrangements made for clothes changing. Robbie did a great job coming up with the dance moves, and Dave's main focus was communicating with the director of photography.

I was thinking, "If they start off facing each other and then end up standing side by side, that's the shot I'm aiming for. I want to capture them in sync, not just from a distance or anything like that." It's important to see them together, engaged in their respective activities. I recently mentioned to someone, "Wow, they have such great chemistry." [Laughs] I genuinely feel that way about Robbie and Robbie. Sometimes, when a double is used in a story, it's just a gimmick, but in this case, these are two distinct characters. They each have their own unique personalities, in a way.

Of course, they are undeniably very similar. After all, they are the same person. However, one of them has lived through different experiences and is older, which has shaped them differently over the past few months. You can observe the disparities in their identities, the ways in which they have veered off. I always enjoy seeing the two of them together and witnessing their interactions. That's also the beauty of editing and shooting – ensuring that they have someone to engage with during filming, so that when we piece it all together, it flows seamlessly. And if needed, we can make minor adjustments to enhance the final outcome.

Did you discuss with the costume department the desired wardrobe differentiation between the two Nathans?

Dave Rogers: We collaborated with the wardrobe department and costuming to obtain costumes for all the characters. It was important for us to clearly establish a distinction between Nathan and Nathan Back-Up. Nathan, being in the real world, required a more rugged and practical wardrobe to navigate real elements. On the other hand, Nathan Back-Up, residing in Lakeview where the temperature is consistently comfortable, called for a wardrobe that reflected this ideal environment.

He can easily pass with a T-shirt. It's quite refreshing to have a clear distinction between them, ensuring that you always recognize who is Nathan Back-Up and who is the genuine one. Even if you only glimpse them from the neck up, their attire is noticeably distinct. The costumes do become somewhat relevant to the plot later on.

There is also a scene where the real Nathan pretends to be Back-Up Nathan, and vice versa. I must inquire, amidst all the switching, did anyone ever experience confusion about distinguishing one Nathan from the other?

Dave Rogers: We didn't really get confused. As the director, I would always clarify our roles. I had a clear understanding of the character dynamics, and Robbie did too, to be honest with you. He would say, "Yeah, I know. I'm real-life Nathan pretending to be Back-Up Nathan." We always had a clear understanding of who was playing which character. However, sometimes it was challenging to refer to them because we had to consider their specific outfits. It was still the same Nathan, not the Back-Up Nathan, despite him pretending. That's where it got a little challenging.

Luke's unwavering love for Nathan is highly evident in this episode. What do you find most enjoyable about Luke's character, both within and outside of this bromance?

Dave Rogers praises Kevin Bigley for his incredible energy, positive attitude, and exceptional acting skills. He admires the bromance between Kevin's character and Nathan and finds it hilarious. This season, the show explores how Kevin's character copes with the absence of Nathan and tries to fill the void in his life.

On the other hand, Luke's character is portrayed as multifaceted. His storyline includes both the bromance and a complicated relationship with Aleesha, characterized by their on-again, off-again teasing romance. Viewers are left wondering if they will ever end up together. Additionally, Luke faces financial difficulties in paying for Lakeview, adding more depth to his character arc. This episode starts off by focusing on Luke's storyline, providing an entertaining glimpse into his experiences.

About Upload Season 3

In the world of Upload, a sci-fi comedy series created by Emmy-winning writer Greg Daniels, set in a technologically advanced future, everyday life includes holographic phones, self-driving vehicles, AI assistants, and 3D food printers. But the most exciting innovation is the ability to be "uploaded" into a virtual reality afterlife, resembling a luxurious resort. However, this high-tech paradise comes at a price.

In the upcoming season three of Upload, we reunite with Nora and Nathan, who has just been freshly "downloaded" into the virtual afterlife. As they navigate their relationship, they race against time to unravel a mysterious conspiracy that poses a threat to millions of lives. Will they be able to bring down Freeyond and build a real-life together? Or is Nathan's impending demise inevitable? In Lakeview, a backup copy of Nathan has been activated, and Ingrid is determined not to let this second chance at love slip away. Back in the real world, Aleesha climbs the ranks at Horizen by overseeing AI education and embarks on a new romantic journey. Meanwhile, Luke finds himself alone in Lakeview, desperate to find the means to finance his stay in paradise, leading him to work in The Grey Zone.

Check back for more interviews with the Upload season 3 crew:

Executive Producer/Director Jeff Blitz

Director Tom Marshall

Director Alberto Belli

Director Sarah Boyd

Production Designer Rachel O’Toole

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled about the upcoming third season of Upload. The show's intriguing premise, which explores the concept of uploading one's consciousness into a virtual afterlife, captivated me from the very beginning. The first two seasons did an excellent job of building an immersive world and introducing a diverse cast of characters. I am particularly invested in the storyline involving Nathan and his uploaded self, as it raises thought-provoking questions about identity, consciousness, and the nature of existence.

The show's humor is another aspect that resonates with me. It strikes a delicate balance between witty dialogue and clever sight gags, creating genuinely funny moments that don't overshadow the more serious themes being explored. The writing is sharp and intelligent, and the actors bring the characters to life with their charismatic performances. Overall, I am eagerly anticipating the release of Upload season 3 and can't wait to see how the story unfolds.