The writer-producers of Law and Order SVU describe the pains and pleasures of shooting in New York – mostly pleasures… no, pains… no, pleasures derives from pains – and make this astute observation: it’s not just that an actor shapes a character but that playing a character transforms the actor herself. In this case it is Mariska Hargitay / Detective Olivia Benson who work that double evolution. Plus music from Ned Sublette. This event was produced with the Writers Guild of America East.

•  PERSON: Mariska Hargitay / Det. Olivia Benson
•  PLACE: Chelsea Piers Studios
•  THING: a tabloid headline
•  RANDY’S THING: a check for 3 cents