I forgot to add

There was a girl at the wrap party, one of the principal actors who had a small part, that a friend of mine pointed out to me. He was like, "Have you seen that Diet Coke commercial with the people on the beach in roller skates?" I was like, "Yeah, of course." (They play "Starry Eyed Surprise" by Paul Oakenfold in the background) The main blonde girl from the commercial had been in the film and I had no idea. My celebrity senses hadn't gone off and I completely missed it!! Needless to say I was beating myself up about it all night.

Down 2, many more to come

It has been awhile since I've posted but that's mostly because I have been relaxing and sleeping in late since we've finished filming on Thursday. So I'm done working on my second film. For the most part, having more money in the budget helped my job run more smoothly, but having to deal with those third grade-esque background actors definitely tested my limits.

Not much really happened of interest in the past few days of shooting. We were stuck at one location with the two male actors for three straight days which can get pretty boring. Nothing much to do since we could leave equipment at the apartment as well as our trucks. One thing that did happen though, actualy occurred after we wrapped shooting and people were standing around having champagne that one of the actors bought (the one who originally asked me to have a drink with him and his girlfriend way back when). So I'm walking in, trying to find extra walkie-talkies (I had to collect them) and the guy starts calling out my name as he is standing amongst all the producers and the director. I turn around and ask what's going on.

The actor motions me over and is like "(Me), (Me), this guy right here. Whatever movie I do with you guys next...this guy needs to be one of the Producers. I want it in my contract."

Of course, he was kidding, but the look on everyone's face in the room was pretty memorable. Since this guy had been kind of difficult with the hierarchy throughout filming, I think they were all very surprised that he was saying such a nice thing to me, a production assistant.

Whew, ok, so we're done with that. 25 days of shooting, one night in bed with a beautiful actress, and a ringing endorsement that I was a cool guy by a prominent actor. Now I'm looking towards my next job which will hopefully start soon and have the guy from My So Called Life paired with a Mean Girl. Until then...have a Happy Holidays and a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

P.S. The MTA strike in NYC sucks. Get back to work MTA. I've had it with your demands.

Hardening

After the last few days, I'm pretty tired. Our two night shoots on Tuesday and Wednesday went as well as they could go with the temperatures dropping into the 20's. People were tired, they were cold, and by 4am, they all wanted to go home.

As I said in earlier posts, these days had me dealing with my biggest groups of extras yet. The sheer size of them influences how I act towards them and vice versa. Mostly, the background "artists" are quiet, don't cause trouble, and stay out of the way. They do as they are told. They don't complain, and they shuffle in and out of the scene whenever you ask them too. You know why they do this? They do this because it's their J-O-B. Unfortunately, we always encounter multiple people who like to cause trouble. They don't want to be on set. They don't want to be working. They don't want to be told what to do. They just want to be lazy, sit around, and have me sign their waiver at the end of the night with no questions asked. Throughout the night, these people are hard to miss. I constantly have to tell them to be where they are supposed to be...almost prodding them like 2nd graders so they stay in place long enough to get more than one shot off. Because I have to constantly fight with them and round them up, I have to be as stern as possible without losing my temper. Hmmm, "without losing my temper." That's interesting.

So I've definitely gotten into arguments with background "artists" due to adjustments on their vouchers (add-ons that give them an extra $3 here or $7 there. they all write in as many as they can to see hwo many I'll notice and or not notice so they get away with them), as well as arguments about hiding from set, and lack of effort at their J-O-B. From what I hear from the Assistant Directing crew, this is normal and I shouldn't be worried that it's my fault for getting into arguments. These people try and pick fights all the time because they know they have a certain amount of rights protected by the Screen Actors Guild. Unfortunately, they really think that if they act nasty to me or anyone else on the crew, that they WON'T be put on a list of people not to be called too often by casting. I'm not saying there is such a list (wink wink), but if you want to test us, then go right ahead. Be a jerk. I'm just starting out now, but as I'm around more and more, I'll have the option on who I want on set and who I don't.

The thing that does worrry me slightly is that because I have a bit of a temper (I know I know, I like to argue, juuuust a bit), that I'll be immediately bitter when I have a lot of background to deal with in a certain day. And if you start the day out already bitter, then you won't be too nice to most people if they start to piss you off. I call this my "Hardening" and I"m trying to avoid it. Oh I'm sorry, wait, you're telling me you need to go home because you had eye implants and the lights hurt your eyes?? Ok sure.

You live in New Jersey and the last train is leaving in a half hour. Didn't the casting agency tell you we would be shooting till at least 5am? Oh, they didn't. Hmmm, sure you can leave too. (these are the kinds of things I get from people so they can leave work. These people end up on the imagined "lists")

So, yes, I am getting a little tainted by these people and I need to calm down. I know I will advance much farther than 95% of all of them in terms of job security and prosperity. They are going to be background "artists" probably for life.

Hopefully I won't build up such a "Hardening" that I can't enjoy what I do in a couple of years.

I doubt it. I love my job :).

First and Goal at the 10

We have 8 days left. Christmas is almost here. Today and Tomorrow are going to be hell.

The head count is 8 principal actors/actresses which usually isn't too bad but when you combine them with 120 extras, things get a little dicey. Then, when you throw in the temperature high today of 36 degrees and the fact that the "holding space" (where we keep the background when they get in and leave their stuff during the day) is 4 blocks from set (which is all exterior today).

All of these factors running together create a whirlwind of btiching and moaning that I am not particularly excited to hear today. On top of those factors is dealing with the Screen Actors Guild Representative. THe SAG Rep usually comes to set when you have big background days to make sure they get the allotted break times (At least 5 minutes an hour to get food and go to the bathroom) as well as whether they have enough space for holding and many other little things. The SAG Rep is basically there to bitch at people like me if they kids are being treated unfairly. More often than not, everything is fine, but on a day like today, when the cold is going to be their first target of bitching, I anticipate a lengthy talk with the Rep.

At which point I say "I don't know why we are so far, but maybe you should go ask Stacey the 2nd AD (Assistant Director." (This is what I've been instructed to do. Passing the buck, refusing to accept blame for your mistakes, or rather, deflecting responsibility.)

Limb by Limb

It's been awhile since I've posted so I'm going to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hopefully we all had a enough eats & drinks to fill us up till the New Year.

Meanwhile, back in the film world, I have some news. First, the film I worked on in September was accepted into Sundance and will compete this coming January. Since I have a percentage of the back end, I'm pulling for a good showing. (Unfortunately, none of us know the name yet, which can be a problem for securing distribution.) When it does get distribution, I'll let you all know.

On the current film, I've somehow managed to get different body parts into two different scenes. In the first scene, you will be able to see the tips of a pair of black shoes along with some of my ankles. (Granted, the ankles are under black pants and you'll have to ask me to pick out which pants are mine in the shot, but nonetheless, i have my feet in the movie)

Second body part occurred the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. Actually, it happened ON Thanksgiving at 130am, but who's really paying attention.

...So the story is that the lead actress is sitting on her bed watching a TV that has another actor professing his love for her. In the scene, the actor playing her ex-boyfriend is supposed to be in bed with her trying to pull her back in as she watches. Unfortunately for the production, someone let the actor who is playing her ex-boyfriend go home for the night. Hence, they needed someone to fill in...and that person happened to be me. Well, sort of. When the movie premieres, and you see her model-esque ex-boyfriend in bed with her, and they cut to "his" arm pulling her back into bed while she is slapping it away, you'll know whose "should to hand" it really is.

Besides my bit by bit cameos in the film, the production has been plodding along with different problems. Mostly they center around money (as usual) and the shrinking budget that is being caused by slow days and too much overtime having to be paid out to crew and actors. Unfortunately, after Wednesday (which is a huge day for extras and crew. We have about 100 extras coming in on Tuesday and Wednesday) the production is letting people go for the final six days to save money. Once again, I am escaping the gauntlet of firings and am acquiring more tasks to do for the final days of shooting. Basically I’ll have to be responsible for all the walkie-talkie’s which isn’t terrible but it will be somewhat annoying since the kid leaving isn’t doing a very good job of making sure they aren’t being lost and or stolen.

Hmm what else…not much really. Lots of little things with work that I need to consolidate into a few more postings. I’ll try and compile them in the coming days.