"Century City" (2004) TV series

Creator:

Ed Zuckerman
(more)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

16 March 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The future is now in session.

Plot:

In the near future, a law firm handles difficult cases that reflect the time.

Plot Keywords:

Reference To Oprah Winfrey | Futuristic | Courtroom

Cast

Nestor Carbonell	...	Tom Montero (9 episodes, 2004)
Viola Davis	...	Hannah Crane (9 episodes, 2004)
Ioan Gruffudd	...	Lukas Gold (9 episodes, 2004)
Kristin Lehman	...	Lee May Bristol (9 episodes, 2004)
Eric Schaeffer	...	Darwin McNeil (9 episodes, 2004)
Hector Elizondo	...	Martin Constable (9 episodes, 2004)

Series Directed by
Michael Lehmann		(2 episodes, 2004)
Jerry Levine		(2 episodes, 2004)
J. Miller Tobin		(2 episodes, 2004)

Series Writing credits
Ed Zuckerman		(2 episodes, 2004)
David Gerken		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
David Shore	....	consulting producer (9 episodes, 2004)
Gerrit van der Meer	....	producer (2 episodes, 2004)
Ed Zuckerman	....	executive producer (2 episodes, 2004)
Chad Savage	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Danny Lux		(1 episode, 2004)

Series Cinematography by
J. Clark Mathis		(1 episode, 2004)
Marshall Adams		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Heather MacDougall		(unknown episodes)
Stephen Semel		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Amy Lippens		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Mark Hutman		(unknown episodes)
Carey Meyer		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Gary Diamond		(unknown episodes)
Phil Schmidt		(unknown episodes)

Series Set Decoration by
Cindy Coburn		(unknown episodes)
Brian Kane		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
Eduardo Castro		(unknown episodes)
Chrisi Karvonides-Dushenko		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Laini Thompson	....	makeup artist (8 episodes, 2004)
Lisa Leonard	....	key hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Steven R. Soussanna	....	key hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Carme Tenuta	....	key makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Stewart Bethune	....	unit production manager (unknown episodes)
Robyn-Alain Feldman	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Susan E. Novick	....	post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Gerrit van der Meer	....	unit production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
E. Langston Craig	....	second second assistant director (9 episodes, 2004)
Kevin Williams	....	first assistant director (2 episodes, 2004)
Pamela Cederquist	....	second assistant director (unknown episodes)
Yor-El Francis	....	dga trainee (unknown episodes)
Walter Gasparovic	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
Eric Jewett	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
JoAnne Lowrie	....	day player trainee assistant director (unknown episodes)
Maura McKeown	....	second assistant director (unknown episodes)
Brendalyn Richard	....	dga trainee (unknown episodes)
Chris Stoia	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)
Jane Talbot	....	trainee assistant director (unknown episodes)
Fiona Winning	....	second assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Jim Davie	....	construction coordinator (1 episode, 2004)
Timothy M. Earls	....	illustrator (1 episode, 2004)
Paolo G. Venturi	....	assistant art director (1 episode, 2004)
Laura Christy	....	art department coordinator (unknown episodes)
Jared Fleury	....	property master (unknown episodes)
Jennifer Fleury	....	assistant property master (unknown episodes)
Gary B. Krakoff Jr.	....	construction coordinator (unknown episodes)
Eric LaBonte	....	art production assistant (unknown episodes)
Marco Miehe	....	set designer (unknown episodes)
Fleur Nooyen	....	set buyer (unknown episodes)
Mike Peritz	....	set dresser (unknown episodes)
Danny Ronay	....	set painter (unknown episodes)
Christopher Schultz	....	assistant property master (unknown episodes)
Trinita Waller	....	property master (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Daniel Colman	....	sound effects editor (9 episodes, 2004)
Doug Madick	....	supervising foley artist (9 episodes, 2004)
Richard Partlow	....	foley artist (9 episodes, 2004)
Frank Nolan	....	sound editor (6 episodes, 2004)
Walter Anderson	....	production sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Vince Balunas	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Michael Hawley	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Sean Keegan	....	foley mixer (unknown episodes)
Jack Levy	....	supervising sound editor (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Adam 'Mojo' Lebowitz	....	digital artist: previz (1 episode, 2004)
Kyle Toucher	....	digital artist (1 episode, 2004)
Jarrod Davis	....	digital artist (unknown episodes)
Aram Granger	....	digital artist: pilot episode (unknown episodes)
Emile Edwin Smith	....	visual effects supervisor (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
John Bratlien	....	lighting technician (9 episodes, 2004)
Ray Dier	....	second assistant camera (9 episodes, 2004)
Hiro Kakuhari	....	best boy grip (9 episodes, 2004)
Christopher Mack	....	first assistant camera (9 episodes, 2004)
Andrew Smith	....	gaffer (9 episodes, 2004)
Bonnie S. Blake	....	camera operator (8 episodes, 2004)
Walter Byrnes	....	additional grip (unknown episodes)
Peter Chrimes	....	key grip (unknown episodes)
Chris Cobb	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Steve Cooke	....	best boy (unknown episodes)
Rod Frew	....	electrician (unknown episodes)
Ciaran Kavanagh	....	camera operator: pilot (unknown episodes)
Dan Kneece	....	Steadicam operator (unknown episodes)
Vince Laxton	....	gaffer (unknown episodes)
David Leite	....	grip (unknown episodes)
Guy Lorio	....	camera loader (unknown episodes)
Brandon Mastrippolito	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Jack Nagle	....	dolly grip (unknown episodes)
Joaquin Sedillo	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Gordon Tait	....	key grip (unknown episodes)
Jason Young	....	electrician (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Tiffany Moon	....	extras casting director (9 episodes, 2004)
Linda Grigorian	....	casting associate (unknown episodes)
Stephanie Laffin	....	casting associate (unknown episodes)
Janelle Scuderi	....	casting assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Debra Torpe	....	costume set supervisor (1 episode, 2004)
Artemio Carpio	....	costumer (unknown episodes)
Josephine Delgiglio	....	costume supervisor (unknown episodes)
Barbara Scott	....	costume supervisor (unknown episodes)
Devon Renee Spencer	....	assistant costume designer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Chris Boyer	....	colorist (7 episodes, 2004)
Daniel Lee	....	assistant editor: main title (7 episodes, 2004)
Susan Chernus	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)
Richard Glazerman	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)
Ian Harbilas	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)
Kevin Herndon	....	post-production assistant (unknown episodes)
Melissa Remenarich	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Matt Mariano	....	composer: additional music (unknown episodes)

Series Transportation Department
Steve De Leon	....	transportation coordinator (9 episodes, 2004)
Steve Garcia	....	transportation captain (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Elizabeth T. Guste	....	first assistant accountant (9 episodes, 2004)
Don Bensko	....	production accountant (8 episodes, 2004)
Laurie Seidman	....	assistant: Gerrit van der Meer (7 episodes, 2004)
Mari Wilson	....	additional script supervisor (7 episodes, 2004)
Matthew V. Lewis	....	assistant to writers (unknown episodes, 2003)
Chris Bradford	....	security captain (unknown episodes)
John Brewer	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
John R. Brewer	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Gaye Ann Bruno	....	photo publicity (unknown episodes)
Jeff Crandell	....	location manager (unknown episodes)
Jessica Drake	....	dialect coach (unknown episodes)
Dale Dreher	....	key assistant location manager (unknown episodes)
Sharon Eldridge	....	script coordinator (unknown episodes)
Jolene Hastings	....	production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Jonathan Haug	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Jennifer Hodges	....	key set production assistant (unknown episodes)
Sam Hunter	....	set production assistant (unknown episodes)
Ira Hurvitz	....	script supervisor (unknown episodes)
Rob LaMorgese	....	assistant production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Viktoria Langton	....	choreographer (unknown episodes)
Rachel Light	....	assistant: Katie Jacobs and Paul Attanasio (unknown episodes)
Jena Niquidet	....	production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Ian Overend	....	location manager (unknown episodes)
Jennifer Paul	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Scooter Perrotta	....	production assistant / set assistant (unknown episodes)
Megan Rosenfeld	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Kirk Tedeski	....	video effects supervisor (unknown episodes)
Larry Varanelli	....	stand-in: Hector Elizondo (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Universal Network Television
• Heel & Toe Films

Distributors

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (2004) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Universal Domestic Television (USA) (TV)
• Sci-Fi Channel, The (2004) (UK) (TV)
• Space (2004) (Canada) (TV)
• TV2 (2005-2006) (Hungary) (TV)

Other Companies

• Central Casting  extras casting
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies
• Micdi Productions  music editorial

Runtime:

60 min (9 episodes) | USA:60 min (9 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

Universal Network Television

Trivia:

Nine episodes were made but only four were aired.

Quotes:

[while watching a commercial for cosmetic penile implants for women in preparation for a case Lukas has taken]
Martin Constable: A guy in my building got one of these.
Lukas Gold: You mean he wasn't "packing?"
Martin Constable: A second!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Tavis Smiley: (2007-01-23)" (2007)

Kinda like L.A. law only with Clones and Holograms.

It is almost pointless to post about Century City now that its cancelled but what the hey. Set 26 years from now in a Los Angeles that has been through a 7.1 quake, and rebuilt itself into a slick, gleaming megacity (still hazed with smog) fraught with all kinds of futuristic legal problems we arrive. Taking a tack from the Minority Report school of design the set pieces look like they came directly from the warehouses of Bang Olafsen, Ikea, and Sony with the typical "computer displays etched onto glass windows and desk display panels made of plexi" type of style. Derivative of Earth tech of the near future in scifi. Great... Anywho this Law Office presented here gets some really cool and creepy cases to litigate, and for the most part they always win.

The pilot episode concerned a man attempting to save his son with the aid of an embryonic clone of said child. The only problem is cloning is illegal in the U.S. and having had the clone manufactured overseas (Crafty Singaporeans), and transported to the states he has committed not just an extrordinary crime but created a ethical situation which will not only hold the life of his son in the balance, but show the darker side of cloning....harvesting of its organs to support its gene donor. Sadly the drama presented was rather complex and emotionally unstable due to the writing and pairing with a second story involving an aging Boy Band that wanted one of its memebers to use a dangerous anagathic (age defying) drug as part of his wellness regimen. What was supposed to be serious came off as silly and contrived and really stole the drama away from the Cloning portion of the story. So basically the first episode was a bit of a dog and unfortunately that taint would come back and haunt the series for a few more episodes.

While it was not a "hyped" scifi show, filled with otherworldly effects and intergalactic intrigue, it did have its moments. One story concerning a virtual rape with nanomachines showed chilly social implications of technology and the future of stalking and psychopathic crimes while another episode dedicated itself to the plight of a man who with the aid of a neural implant that was designed to raise his IQ was facing possible death if he didn't have it removed, and the contentious issue being was he mentally capable of making the decision to change himself back or fight to stay as he was. There was indeed the kernal of great drama and speculative vision housed in the shows writers.

Whatever the future holds for scifi, televsion, and law remains to be seen in another time another place. Century City our best hope for glimpsing a possible "legal" future has met the falling of the gavel and its court is dismissed. Sad? Potentially, as "thinking persons'" televsion is few and far between and this could have been contender.