Once writers complete their work, actors receive a yellow copy of the script. Seldom do the actors know in advance what will happen to their particular character, so it is normal for them to have questions and occasionally receive some coaching about the roles.

The actual filming of one episode takes about 7 days to complete, and the end of one episode does not necessarily mean the next episode will be a new story. Many times, episodes blend into each other, and sometimes, mistakes in the scripts are discovered. Each show is given a title, but it is never broad casted for the viewers to see; it is only a reference point for the cast and crew during the filming.

Before filming begins, producers do "walk-through's" with the department heads of props, costume and make-up and try to minimize the length of filming. Even so, nothing is ever as easy as it seems, and there are always plenty of complications.

Each episode of Dallas was given a budget of $1,000,000.00. Each show was physically demanding, so they needed a strong director to keep the spirits and attitudes of the actors and camera men focused on the filming.

Dallas was actually filmed in 2 locations, one being at the actual Southfork Ranch of Texas, and the other at the MGM studio in California. Depending on the story, the actors would be working in the studio, but if the scene called for a specific shot at Southfork, that would require them to relocate to Texas to complete the sequence. And, as with all professional films or series, there is always the secret location designed to imitate a certain location. Parts of Dallas were filmed on a ranch in Los Angeles.