Gossip Girl | Behind the Scenes with Karena Evans: Directing the Pilot | HBO Max

You’ve seen the Upper East Side, but not like this. Creative mastermind and director Karena Evans (you might know her from a handful of chart-topping music videos that caught you “in your feelings”) is here with a fresh take and aesthetic eye to shed some new ✨light✨ on the production process - listen and learn as she breaks down the first episode of #GossipGirl.
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A new generation of privileged New Yorkers are introduced to ruthless social surveillance nine years after the original blogger’s website went dark. Developed by showrunner Joshua Safran, a writer and executive producer on the original series, the new series stars Jordan Alexander, Eli Brown, Thomas Doherty, Tavi Gevinson, Emily Alyn Lind, Evan Mock, Zion Moreno, Whitney Peak and Savannah Lee Smith.
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Gossip Girl | Behind the Scenes with Karena Evans: Directing the Pilot | HBO Max

[@degree5638]

The Pilot was so good. I'm so glad about what they've done.

[@adrianagarcia2324]

Yeah, and I love the fact that a fellow gen z directed the episode instead of having much older people telling stories about a generation that can't truly relate to. More shows should take note on that

[@degree5638]

@@adrianagarcia2324 Absolutely right.

[@adrianagarcia2324]

@J K firstly, how old are you ? Secondly, have you seen the first episode and compared it to the pilot episode of the og series. Thirdly, what exactly makes (who's 25 and has quite the credentials at that age) a brat ? Finally that last statement doesn't make sense given that streaming is actually viewed as being of higher quality than television, even though it's sort of the same thing. My point is that part of your comment would have made more sense if it was a film instead of series.

[@adrianagarcia2324]

@J K wtf ? What kind of illogical and irrelevant response is that ? That response really reduces the credibility of your opinion. Anyways, have a nice day/good night.

[@planether2909]

@J K tell me youre old without telling me youre old

[@madmax-zf6ds]

imagine Blair, Serena and the OGs in an elevated production like this. wow.

[@matthew.angelo]

HBO Max, please create an online store for some GG merch, we are ready

[@josejones246]

FR I want a hoodie like Aki's and the little crests to put on some blazers or something

[@thenotoriousj.o.e.7639]

The director (Karena Evans) portrayed the mom of Julian & Zoya in the photo each girl had.

[@enchantedhappy]

Oh shit!!!!! Good catch

[@anabeatrizquinto1894]

love seeing a black woman as a director. is important that the diversity is not only in the cast, but on the backstage and production

[@kayciewithie4941]

Im so fucking hyped for this I’m already hooked! Also Monet is my queen.

[@adrianagarcia2324]

Everybody loves her, but she's so mean though 😂. I didn't expect her to be the most intimidating one, thought Julien was going to fit that role.

[@wimbletone]

It's not that good but i believe it will get better as they "find their foot".

[@camelali6421]

@@adrianagarcia2324 she's also the most richest girl at constance she's extremely powerful.

[@camelali6421]

@@adrianagarcia2324 she's billionaire

[@camelali6421]

@@adrianagarcia2324 just like obie

[@aarushidhir2301]

I loved the pilot. Because the OG was such a classic, they were playing with high stakes and so far they've done tremendously well. The direction was great and hearing Karena talk here, she seems like a great person. I really hope this vibe carries through

[@danecarrington4326]

A series that has seamless way of incorporating diversity and Inclusivity.

[@marisapowell7227]

yes like when soya was wearing a scarf in her house i felt so seen idk it’s the little things

[@princeobah7995]

@J K lol thx for letting us know, do you want a cookie or something ? 😂 Stop virtue signaling online. If you don’t like it, then don’t watch.

[@moonlightbae6365]

@J K we dont care abt what u think

[@blakepotter7937]

Right because that's just what we need.

[@blakepotter7937]

@@princeobah7995 Actually, it was Dane that was virtue signaling. That term must not mean what you think it means.

[@ellebassa9288]

I love how this story is being told

[@jalleelbansie7565]

This show is everything

[@wimbletone]

I have a theory that the teachers are not the final gossip girl. Maybe halfway or towards the end of the season, they will all find out that the teachers were in it, posing as GG by being outplayed by Jules' gang who know the game better. Teachers get fired etc. then all is well Then comes a one min season-ender scene where it all restarts....a big blast is uploaded on GG's instagram that will break so many bonds and unravel secretes but we as viewers won't know what the blast is...we just know it's big because we are shown that it shocks everyone, we see Jules or one of the members in the gang leaving by train, escaping, crying looking into the window ...like ala Serena vander Woodsen's pre gossip girl escape into boarding school and as the train leaves out of new york....Kirsten's voice follows showing a drone shot of new york.. "and they say there's always a calm before the biggest storm hits. Watch out UES because it's hurricane season. Xoxo Gossip Girl." Blank screen....credits. Season 2 starts with few episodes where maybe Jules is missing...unreachable. No one knows where she is and there is a timeskip maybe? Like whole summer where she's gone missing..so someone in the gang has to assume queen status etc....maybe this forms the new partition. Then this new GG is probably more ruthless, someone who knows the gang and their secrets really well. SO season two will revolve around episodes that will make us believe that one of the inners has taken over GG....after all, in episode one it was mentioned that they were all like childhood besties etc but there's always a twist bec it can't be this predictable lol

[@jessicalan2195]

i thought totally the same lol, so predictable if it will be like that

[@anisafarooq1426]

sounds sooo good

[@funkeodiete2161]

Damn.... you sabi GG

[@maplelu9514]

@@jessicalan2195 I hope they’re not cause it’s kinda creepy that grown adults are taking pics of kids. 14-16 year olds. And I think it’s too early for them to be the final GG

[@kaydenevideo]

Proud of her and the cast and crew, and glad to see her directing this first episode.💕

[@emiliosanchez5373]

Can we PLEASE get the blazer or a merch store.

[@arundhathijs5454]

Kate's ?

[@kuntybanks5374]

@@arundhathijs5454 Ew as if

[@arundhathijs5454]

@@kuntybanks5374 tbh I actually liked that blazer. The one which serena wore too. How's that ugly?

[@kuntybanks5374]

@@arundhathijs5454 Like Luna said, her blazer is rayon from Zara. Serena's was vintage genuine leather. They're not the same.

[@arundhathijs5454]

@@kuntybanks5374 Even julien said she liked it. In the last scene of the pilot.

[@vflarsh]

I'm so glad everyone here liked the show. On twitter and IG, sheesh.. let's not talk about that.

[@wimbletone]

I guess it has to do with nostalgia. Like many, I followed the original GG from when it originally launched back in 2007 from what i recall and it was everything. The current reboot has potential but it lacks the chemistry and the actors didn't feel like they knew how to live the role well...they just delivered lines and tried to incorporate some old characters (like Blair and Chuck) into some of their personas but like doing that so much lacklustre-ness lol. But also, I think we all had set high expectations because of the nostalgia. I think it will grow on many older fans. I honestly think it has potential. I just hope they don't overdo the whole edgy, push for over edgy, dark sexuality and romance thing that it ruins the plot. The original GG lost its mojo I think past season 5 or 6 and got way worse come the 7th season.

[@jackaustin6189]

I think the show has potential, however I think showing who gossip girl is on the pilot is a big mistake and seeing how teachers will stalk students “stripping” and doing scandalous things, is a big no no. I’m hoping that someone will take gossip girl away from the teachers so it makes it more Anonymous.

[@davianstewart2539]

@@jackaustin6189 the fact that they show who gossip girl is. I’m thinking that’s not the real gossip girl

[@Emma-gf8xu]

Ive seen a lot of love on Twitter for it

[@vflarsh]

@@Emma-gf8xu that's awesome

[@iris-xo]

ICONIC SHOW

[@KaioMichiru22]

Pilot was great! 🔥🔥🔥

[@Missmagazinebura]

I give it a b cuz it’s not perfect . The teachers will get caught as gossip girl

[@thefIyingace]

i loved the pilot and i really need the next episode now lol

[@nellyyuki4695]

Omg am so in love with this shows. I just hope it didnt ended up for like just 2 season and get cancelled just like that. Hopefully it will become phenomenal just like the OG did.

[@eTatsh]

I WAS IMPRESSED WITH EPISODE 1 !!! CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT WEEK (: XOXO

[@matthew.angelo]

CONGRATS THE FIRST EPISODE IS AMAZING

[@jayla7293]

if you guys create merch of like zoya, audrey, aki, and monet’s outfits, i’ll love gossip girl forever

[@jayla7293]

@J K bye LMAO i mean their outfits

[@jayla7293]

@J K so passive aggressive for what???

[@thefIyingace]

@J K wtf are you on? Leave this person alone weirdo

[@catalinamaria4014]

THIS SHOW IS FIRE

[@planether2909]

@J K shut up granny

[@yair.salgado]

@@planether2909 but it is …

[@StreamOnMax]

we've got all the hot goss ;)

[@rebeccaelliott9770]

I’m so excited for this

[@elimiller2514]

This was so cool to watch

[@julia_7508]

10/10 , well done

[@levisionnaire4023]

This is the best show ever.

[@altaafkhan]

COME ON HBO MAX #RESTORETHESNYDERVERSE

[@tangiechapman6219]

Who in there late 20s and 30s who is Watching this

[@BellesView]

ME! 🙌🏾

[@Beeoog]

She's brilliant.

[@Ryseptember]

I think the directing was amazing. The writing was not so much realistic. Especially the changing through the window scene. The teacher just happened to be at the right place at the right time. Is a no. There should have been a reason why he was there . Or it shouldn’t have been him who got the picture. Also Julien and Zoya rivalry escalated too quickly. One bad thing ( that wasn’t all that bad IMO) . As a model you’re on a runway to do a job. Had Julien done anything rather than doing her job on the runway it would take away from the show. I mean Zoya getting taken out by security literally made a headline. The only thing that made sense to me was her boyfriend ending the relationship. There was little build up to it but , the explanation made sense. I think I should be there to assist in the writing of season two. If you need my info comment down below.

[@sarahtobore2832]

Eli Brown, from Hotchkiss University to St. Jude's college.

[@juansalvadorx3408]

Good video 👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@samuelrestrepo4482]

We need this on Netflix ASAP!

[@eTORtaCHito]

Karena's boots tho 🔥

[@gabrielsabino1570]

JORDAN IS SO GOOD

[@santiagogutierrez6272]

HBO MAX 👍 💜

[@cesiasantander]

I dont know... the cast doesn't convince me. Dont hate it but dont love it either. 😕😕😕😕😦😦😦

[@pedromourr]

perfection

[@iamgrindrboy4796]

I hope Serena, Blair, Chuck, Dan and Nate visit the reboot

[@GloboVinhetas]

THIS REBOOT IS A BIGEST SHIT A EVER SEE IN MY LIFE!!!!

[@BleakSolo]

I actually liked the first episode

[@augustinayala1498]

Come on HBO! #RESTORETHESNYDERVERSE

[@Sam-Fisher]

Hi

[@samloew4362]

asian can be rich too ... and yes i know we all love aki but some of us don't exactly look like him

[@hugovinicius2571]

THIS REBOOT IS A BIGEST SHIT A EVER SEE IN MY LIFE CONGRATULATIONS HBO MAX YOU FINALLY MANAGED TO SPOIL A WONDERFUL SERIES THIS CRAP MAY EVEN BE SUCCESS, BUT IT WILL NEVER BE ICONIC LIKE THE ORIGINAL!!!! AND WHAT A ROTTEN CAST!!!!

[@user-en6yf4vj7o]

#RestoreTheSnyderverse #ReleaseTheAyercut #MakeTheBatfleckMovie

[@cliffgeo]

Excuse you but I'm here to see QUEEN AUDREY HOPESFOR!

[@gino8381]

#restorethesnyderverse #renewinfinitytrain

[@melissadavis18]

We shall see. The teachers being gg is ugh so hopefully it gets taken from them and become anonymous and then exposes the stupid teachers as well. Line delivery is also pretty choppy with these actors so hopefully that also gets better

[@allanlargiovsol4985]

Why did it get dragged by the critics??? like 30% on rotten tomatoes??? what happened????? :(

[@15nickjfan]

Nostalgia

[@CDark7]

#RestoreTheSnyderverse

[@juansalvadorx3408]

#RestoreTheSnyderVerse

[@sadisticwinter8354]

Can't cap, making the teachers Gossip Girl was a terrible idea...an adult already filming children in their underwear? VERY weird concept. Hope someone hacks it or something and someone more appropriate takes over 😬

[@zalamykun5630]

My guess is that the other students would help gossip girl “the teachers” with pictures and more gossip, because the creators said something about how we all are gossip girl in a way

[@itsjocelynpadua]

Yes! I'm so glad I'm not the only one who finds this incredibly problematic. If the show never addresses how disgusting it is for the teachers to be Gossip Girl, literally invading the privacy of minors, then I'm going to take issue because they honestly all deserve to go to jail.

[@buckybarnes3015]

How is it weird? Dan Humphrey literally had an affair with one of the teachers.

[@buckybarnes3015]

Especially considering how scandalous the show is supposed to be

[@sydmaker4115]

Did you even watch the original? This isn't Disney Channel

[@isabellecryan2790]

#renewgeneration

[@apieceoflife2732]

Julien is my Queen.Loved Luna,Monet,Max,Audrey.Hate Zoya and Obie

[@karleighrock593]

I personally felt like they revealed the identity of Gossip girl WAY too soon into the new series. The original version of the show waited six seasons to tell the audience who it was ( Dan ) . This version of GG , doesn’t have a legitimate motive . Dan was OG gossip girl, to get Serenas attention and to feel apart of the inside group. The teachers at constance billiard started being GG , in this series because they never heard about the blog before and wanted the students to be “scared straight” .

[@Beeoog]

I liked it. Because we have the teachers sort of discovering Gossip Girl and it's almost like comedic relief, it's kitschy. The scene almost looks like it could be from OG GG, while you switch to others, and it's a different feel. Their intentions are half-assed, but the repercussions aren't. Knowing who Gossip Girl is gives a face to the people ruining these kids' lives and relationships, and it's their teachers. Julien and Zoya's relationship took a crazy hit because of what they posted, and none of it wasn't even true. Imo it was wild, because I know we're eventually have to see the teachers deal with what they're doing to these students as it's happening.

[@reham1734]

ً

[@Bklyngurl85]

They need to get rid of that teaches angel and then it be ok.

[@Elfangel85]

I hope Tavi Gevinson either learns how to act or gets written off the show. I normally don't have to say this about actors, but this one is simply terrible.

[@andypazos697]

#RestoreTheSnyderverse #releasetheaffleckcut , #bringbackbatfleck , #batfleck , #releasethebatfleckfilm , #DeathstrokeHBOMax, #HenryCavillSuperman ,#MakeTheBatfleckMovie ,

[@mariq9876]

The diversity is there, but I believe they are not the best actors. I didn’t feel immersed in the story of the characters. I will keep watching the tv show as a GG fan, but with very low expectations.

[@buckybarnes3015]

Yeah have to agree, was a little stiff from the acting that I noticed, esp the Latina actress

[@Ifigeneia.M]

Most of the younger cast are models, novices and influencers, so yeah.. Their limited experience, odd script / dialogue contribute to that awkward, expressionless, 'wooden' acting

[@Sleepy_Yt01]

ᴵ’ᵐ ˢᵘᵇˢᶜʳᶦᵇᶦⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ˢᵘᵇˢᶜʳᶦᵇᵉˢ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᶦᵏᵉˢ ᵗʰᶦˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵉⁿᵗ .

[@lamine428]

there's no character development I don't any of these characters motivations

[@15nickjfan]

Have you even been watching lmao? Why kind of comment is this

[@DecameronRook]

I wish you could vote down trivial bull shit shows like this on the app.

[@Wisteria_Lane]

Doesn't have the same charm as the original. I dont care for it.

[@Martin-hl4rc]

I’m not American , but isn’t it the directos voice what you called a valley girl? Lol sounds like it

[@altaafkhan]

COME ON HBO MAX #RESTORETHESNYDERVERSE

[@ChaliDo]

#RestoreTheSnyderVerse

[@thefreerepublicofadmiralpr2935]

#RestoreTheSnyderVerse