Dave Kotinsky/Getty ImagesIt's lights, camera, action for Joe Giudice and his family. E! News can confirm the family of The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice began shooting their new Bravo special following their day-to-day life while mama bear Tre is locked up in prison.
The special, which is just that, a special, started shooting last week. It's slated to air later this year.
In April, E! News reported Joe, along with daughters Gia, Milania, Gabriella and Audriana, were in discussion to film the new reality project about their new life while Teresa is behind bars. At the time, Teresa's seal of approval was needed before the deal could be sealed.
Teresa is currently serving a 15-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to fraud charges. Joe is set to serve time when Teresa is released. The reality star and her family have been part of The Real Housewives of New Jersey since the show started in 2009. Their legal drama was chronicled throughout season six of the show, with the final episode featuring the women reacting to the sentencing.
Gia has helped Teresa communicate with fans via Twitter, sending approved messages for her to tweet.
"Thank you for your outpouring of support and for standing by me through this most difficult time," Teresa's account tweeted on June 25. "Love love love you all!"
E! News has also learned Teresa and Bravo's Andy Cohen have been communicating. Andy, an executive producer on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, was added to Teresa's approved email list. "I can confirm she's now communicating with him via email. He was added to her approved email list over the weekend and they've exchanged correspondence," Teresa's attorney James J. Leonard Jr. told E! News.
—Reporting by Beth Sobol
(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)