Ever wonder what might happen “behind the scenes” of DragonBall Z? Well, I decided to get the scoop on what goes on during the filming of one of the episodes. What you’re about to read is what went on during the first attempt to film one of the episodes in the Cell Saga. (If you haven’t seen the episode “Goku vs. Cell” then you won’t have a clue as to what’s going on here.) This is just a fun thing! It might be a little far fetched, but it’s meant to be funny!! Enjoy! ~

“Hello to all of you DragonBall Z fans out there! I’m Kit Klocksworth, and I’m here to bring you behind the scenes of the filming of the episode “Goku vs. Cell.” Now as I understand it, this will be the first time the actors are running through the script. This might get interesting. First, let’s see if we can find anyone to interview.” Looking around the set seeing mostly technicians. “Ah ha! There’s someone!” Spots a teenager with long lavender hair holding a glass of water.

“Excuse me. You’re Trunks am I right?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m Kit Klocksworth. Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?”

“Go right ahead.”

“Thank-you. This is the first time the DBZ cast will be running through this episode correct?”

“Yes, yes it is.”

“Do you have any comments on this episode or any of the ones in the past?”

“Well, I don’t have much to do in this episode. I say a couple of lines and watch the battle. Previous episodes? Well, I enjoyed filming the episodes with Frieza and King Cold. They’re really fun people to be with.”

“Really? I thought that they would be more stuck up.”

“That’s just the way they are in the series. Off set they’re really cool people.”

“What do you think of the Cell Games?”

“I’m not really sure. They’re interesting. Not like the other battles that have taken place.”

“Now, Vegeta is your father on and off set?”

“Yes. He’s not as cranky at home like he is on DBZ.”

“Okay, thank-you for your answers. Would you know where anyone else might be so I could ask them some questions?”

“Umm…Goku should be around here somewhere. I just saw him over by snack bar. My father and Gohan are at make-up, and Piccolo is in his dressing room. I’m not sure where everyone else is.”

“Thanks again Trunks.” (To camera), “Let’s see if we can talk to Goku.”

“Excuse me Goku, I’m Kit Klocksworth from Insider…” Goku turns around with a sandwich in his mouth. He motions one second to Kit.

“Okay,” he said with a gulp. “What can I do for ya?”

“I was wondering if you would be willing to answer a couple of questions for our fans.”

“Sure, shoot.”

“Are you excited about today’s filming?”

“Sure am. It can get pretty funny. Like last time, I couldn’t stop laughing as Hercule was thrown into the mountain by Cell. I had the whole cast roaring.”

“What’s it like to work with a villain like Cell?”

“He’s a great guy. He’s got a great sense of humor. A couple of episodes ago I went to see him after coming out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and I had said ‘It looks sort of puny to me’ referring to his fighting ring and he started cracking up. He said I said puny weird.”

“Okay… now most people believe you will defeat Cell. Will you?”

“I really can’t tell you. It would ruin it for everyone.”

“That’s right. Any other comments?”

“Umm…yeah I have one. You should have seen Piccolo the other day after make-up. They started putting on the wrong color cover-up…I had gone right before him…and he went from green to a peach with grass stains.”

“Okay…”

“He’ll kill me for telling you, but I just thought it would be funny to let everyone know.”

“Okay, well thank-you Goku for your input.”

“Sure no problem.”

Walking through the set spotting a tall green and black guy. “Folks, I think I just found the villain. Let’s see if we can talk to him.” Walks over to Cell who is talking to one of the producers.

Waiting until the two are finished with their conversation. The producer leaves and Cell turns towards the camera surprised. Kit clears her throat. “Good morning Cell. I’m Kit Klocksworth from Insider. Would you mind answering a few questions for the DBZ fans?”

“Well, I have to be ready in a few minutes, but I can take the time to answer some questions.”

“Okay. Why did you take on the role as the evil android?”

“Umm…I found it rather interesting to be a creature made from the greatest fighters and holding a tournament to test my strength. It’s a challenging role, but I enjoy it.”

“Are you prepared for today’s filming?”

“In all honesty no, but no one ever is for the first run through.”

“Do you ever get nervous in front of the camera?”

“Not anymore. I was the first couple of times. Actually I was terrified.”

“You don’t seem to be the type of person that would get nervous.”

“Ha! Are you kidding? The first time I had to say my lines I couldn’t pronounce one word correctly to save my life.”

“Well, we’re all glad that you’re not like that anymore. Thank-you for you’re time Cell, and good luck today.”

“Thanks.”

Looking at watch, “Well folks, I think it’s almost time for the filming to begin. Let’s head over to the fighting ring and see what happens.” Walking over to ring, seeing all the actors gather. “Okay fans, I was just notified that they’re ready to start. And just to let you know, the man over there with the blue t-shirt is DragonBall Z’s director. I’m going to be quiet now and let the camera role on the scene.”

The director is yelling “quiet down” to everyone. “Okay people let’s get the show on the road. Everyone in his or her place!” The Z fighters gather in a group and stands were they were in the previous episode. Hercule’s little “fan club” gathers in their area, and Hercule stands off the set ready for his entrance. Cell walks to the center of the ring and crosses his arms acting serious. The director is standing on the edge of the platform giving out directions. “Okay is everyone here?” He’s looking around. “Wait a second…where’s Vegeta?”

“I’m coming hold on!” Vegeta comes jogging up to his appointed spot.

“Where were you?”

“The stupid strap on this armor snapped off again.”

Everyone nods. “Okay…” The director runs off the platform and next to the camera. “Action!”

As Goku steps up onto the platform he trips and falls flat on his face. “Ooops, sorry.”

“Well, I was going to have to stop anyways. Z fighters, this is a serious moment. You’ve got to keep a serious face as Goku confronts Cell. Take 2!”

Goku steps onto the platform and walks over to Cell. The camera focuses on the Z fighters. Yamcha can be seen standing behind Trunks with a smirk on his face.

“Cut! Yamcha, what’s wrong?”

Yamcha explodes with laughter. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it. I’m ready now.”

“Take 3!”

Goku makes his way to the center of the ring standing in front of Cell. They stare at each other then Cell bursts out in laughter. “Goku…you look sooo serious!”

“My God…take 4!”

They get through the next couple of lines. Cell finishes speaking and it’s Goku’s turn.

“I hear you’re designed to use all of my moves against me…”

“Cut! Goku, it’s all of our moves against us.”

Now it’s time for Hercule to make his entrance. He walks over to his group holding his jaw. Gerald Firecracker starts off the conversation: “May I ask you what happened out there in the ring?”

Hercule: “Hey! It’s no big deal! I just lost my footing!”

Gerald: “You lost your footing?”

Hercule: “Yes I did!”

Gerald: “But it looked like you were launched from the ring.”

Piza moves in and rests her arm on Gerald’s shoulder and stares at him with a blank look.

“Umm…Piza…” said the director.

“Sorry! I can’t remember my lines!”

Piza eventually gets through her lines and Hercule says, “Now who rules?” They all start chanting “Hercule rules!”

The camera focuses on Vegeta. “That ridiculous man hasn’t realized his weakness…”

The director waits for Vegeta to continue. “Didn’t you forget something?”

“Oh yeah…um…his stupidity is beyond belief.”

Goku and Cell are starring at each other when Goku raises an eyebrow. Cell begins to crack up. “Will you stop? You know it gets me.”

“Cut!”

Gerald is talking to the “TV audience” and interviewing Hercule. “Hercule, any comments on the challenger, or some advise for the fight…that wasn’t right was it?” Looking at the director who is shaking his head.

“Its comments on fight and advise for the challenger.”

“Gochya.”

Trunks just finished saying that Goku is the best chance we’ve got. Vegeta looks over at Gohan who in turn looks at Vegeta.

Director: “Gohan, you’re not supposed to look at him.”

“I know it just bothers me when I know someone’s starring at me.”

Hercule and Gerald do all right on their next section of lines. Goku and Cell manage to get through the first brawl with no problems. Now it’s android 16’s turn to speak. “Their strength appears to be equal!”

Director: “Not with any enthusiasm.”

#16: “Oh, why not? I think Bulma should have put a “happy chip” in me.”

The second brawl between Goku and Cell begins. The two run towards each other and as they reach the same spot, Cell swings a punch to Goku who ducks before getting clobbered. Goku then looks up and says, “Wasn’t I supposed to be pulled up now?”

“Oh brother, we have to do it again?” Cell puts his hand over his face.

Goku races towards Cell who crosses his arms in defense. Goku brings up his fist and stops just before he hit Cell in the stomach. The two looked over to the director without changing their positions.

Director: “What happened? People! You’re supposed to drag Cell back to the edge of the ring!”

One of the technicians: “Oh…hold on…we need to get another cable.”

During another brawl, Goku knocks Cell out of the ring. Cell is about to hit the ground when he stops, straightens his body out and comes back up.

Cell: “That was fun…do we need to do it again?”

Goku and Cell are “fighting extremely fast in the air.” The Z fighters are watching the two, all of their eyes are moving at the same pace and direction.

Director watching the TV screen: “Cut! Vegeta, you’re behind everyone else. Take 2!”

Caroni: “That’s so lame.”

Director: “That’s not your line.”

Caroni: “I know, but this part is so lame.”

Goku and Cell appear hovering in the middle of the Z fighter’s group. Goku is punching Cell who has his arms crossed in defense.

Director: “Cut! Were is the dust?”

Technician: “Sorry, technical difficulty. We’ll have it next time.”

Director: “Okay…take 2!”

Goku and Cell appear hovering in the middle of the Z fighter’s group. Goku is punching Cell who has his arms crossed in defense. There’s dust flying everywhere making it hard to see any of the actor’s faces.

Director: “I’m glad to see we go the fans to go. But they didn’t need to be on extra high.”

Goku and Cell are back in the air. Their hands interlock and they push towards the other. Cell twitches his nose, and Goku loses his grip and starts laughing.

Director: “Now what?”

Cell: “My nose itched. What’s so funny about that?”

Goku still laughing between words: “You…have on a straight face and…your nose twitches…it was just funny.”

The two competitors are back on the ring. Cell is punching Goku who has his arms crossed in defense. Goku is moving back towards the Z fighters.

Krillin: “Goku! The edge of the ring!”

Tien: “Hey! That’s my line!”

Cell is punching Goku to the edge of the ring. Cell starts to swing a punch, the director tells everyone to pause, Goku moves out of the way, and then Cell finishes his swing. Cell is left starring straight at Krillin who starts laughing. Cell, his arm still in the air from swinging it up, sighs and looks at the ground and then walks away.

Director: “You’re supposed to be scared.”

Krillin: “Sorry, I couldn’t help it.”

Goku and Cell finish the last little brawl of the episode, both landing back on the ring. Cell smiles and says, “Alright, I suppose that was a good enough warm up.”

Goku smiles back and says, “Yeah. Have you ever notice that when we start fighting it always ends up being a ‘warm-up’?” Cell starts to laugh.

The director looks at the ground, shakes his head, and says, “I give up.”

Goku positions himself to start powering up. The camera focuses onto Trunks who stares at it instead of watching Goku. “Umm…director, my line is ‘what’s going on? Goku what are you up too?’ Right?”

Director looking at script: “Yes.”

Trunks: “Well…isn’t it kind of stupid to say that? I mean wouldn’t I already know what Goku is up too? He’s here to fight and beat Cell.”

Director: “My God…what I go through.”

The filming for the day is over. Everyone is waiting for the director to tell them to go. “Okay people, that was average for the first time. Try to look over your lines before we start again tomorrow. And as for the tech crew, be ready next time!” He starts to walk away. “Oh, and Vegeta…get rid of the gum.”

Vegeta looked up surprised. “How did he know…”

Piccolo: “Because you chew like a cow when nobody is watching you.”

Vegeta: “I do not!”

Piccolo: “Do too!”

Trunks: “Stop it! Both of you!”

“Well, viewers I thought that was pretty funny. Now, I have the director standing here with me to answer some questions.” To director, “How long does it take to tape a whole episode?”

“With these people…weeks. Actually they’re really only like this the first run-through. Tomorrow they’ll have it down and then we’ll only redo what came out bad.”

“Now, the part where Goku is charging Cell, about to hit him, and Cell is being pulled backwards, I hear there’s going to be some special effects added.”

“Yes. Goku is coming at Cell who is prepared for the hit. When you watch the episode it’ll look like Goku went right through Cell then re-appeared in front of him and clobbers him.”

“How do you do that?”

“Tomorrow we’ll have Goku doing that scene by himself. We’ll have him run and pretend to swing a punch. Then rewind and replay the scene to make it look like he disappeared and reappeared. Then we’ll have Cell stand in a defensive position for a few seconds. Then we’ll combine them both and you’ve got the scene.”

“That sounds confusing, but cool. I also noticed a part were the Z fighters are watching the fight taking place in the air. Each actors’ eyes are moving in the same direction and at the same time. How do they know where to look at the same time?”

“We have little ear pieces we put in their ears. When we turn them on a voice tells them where to look. It’ll say something like ‘look left, right, fast left, right.” We have them practice so it’s not a total surprise the first time.”

“Interesting. One more special effects question: How do you make the fighter disappear when someone’s about to hit them?”

“Simple. We pause the camera and take that certain actor out.”

“That’s right. I remember seeing that today. Well, thank you very much for you’re time and thank you for allowing us to view an episode in the making.”

“You’re welcome.” The director leaves.

“Well folks, this concludes our special Insider. Join us next time when…”

Yelling in the background interrupts Kit.

Piccolo: “Goku!! You told that reporter about the make-up thing!!”

Goku: “What?! Who told you that?”

Vegeta spits out the water he just started to drink and laughs: “Kakarot is in trouble again!!”

Piccolo: “Cell did. He said he was standing right there! I’m going to…”

Goku: “Hold on Piccolo! He’s lying! I never said anything about you’re mishap!”

Piccolo: “Cell!! You lied to me?!”

Cell holding his hands up: “No!! I swear! I heard Goku tell them! Just ask the reporter for the tape and it’ll have it on there!”

Piccolo gives Goku a fierce look.

Goku: “Yikes!” He runs away, Piccolo following him.

Cell: “I love getting Goku in trouble.”