‘Project Runway’ designers have sew little time

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	The clock is always ticking on "Project Runway."
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By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper and Andy Dehnart

msnbc.com

updated 7:24 p.m. ET Oct. 2, 2006

Well, that "Survivor" race-divided tribe thing didn't last long, did it? As veteran observers of the show all knew it would, the much-publicized experiment lasted all of two episodes before the tribes were broken up and re-merged.

While some reality shows are still finding their stride in the new fall season, "Project Runway" is heating up and nearing its end. This week's "Runway" reunion show airs Wednesday, and should be full of dish. In case you haven't heard, New York Magazine has reported that Laura Bennett accused Jeffrey Sebelia of not doing his own sewing. Tim Gunn seemed suspicious, too.

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Have a question about reality TV? Send it in. You can also check our archives — your answer may already be there.

Q: How long are the designers actually in New York for the filming of Project Runway? How much time do they have between challenges? —Joan

A: Just over a month: 32 days. That's according to Tim Gunn, who said during a Washington Post chat that they "tape for 32 consecutive days — no breaks! We're all done in by the end, including me!"

With 11 episode to shoot in that time, that leaves about three days for each challenge. Other than the challenges and the runway shows, the production also must shoot interviews with the cast, which typically take place once for each episode. (There are also spontaneous interviews, called OTFs for "on the fly," that reality show producers like to conduct in the moment.)

The final four designers — all of whom made it to Fashion Week this year, unlike past years when one presented at Fashion Week even though they'd already been eliminated — then head home.

Since this season taped early in the summer, in June, they only had three months to design and create their collections, which they presented in New York at Fashion Week on Sept. 15.

Prior to the final runway show, "Project Runway" typically tapes the reunion of cast members, who by then have watched most of the season on TV. On the day of the runway show, the show taped its finale, so the designers now know who won. However, they won't be able to discuss it with the world until Oct. 18, the day the series concludes.