The Oakland A's one was the coolest

Did you ever collect things when you were younger? Model trains, transformers, sports trading cards? I remember wanting to go to The Ground Round (of all places) just so I could get an ice cream dessert that was served in a mini baseball helmet. Such a kid thing to do. I think I even had a cousin who worked there so he got me a few without me having to drag my parents there for another tasty meal. I think I accumulated about 15 of them and most have gone the way of the trash in recent years but I do have some left. I still think they are cool for some reason because they remind me of the excitement I had when I was collecting them.

Why I am I saying any of this? I am saying this because that’s how I feel about meeting new celebrities during my new film. When I was younger, and even right up until the point where I started working in this business, I was very excited to meet all the people that I had watched on the big screen. I know it’s lame, but so many people feel the same way. It’s the feeling that gets people to buy tabloids and wait outside all day just to get a glimpse of their favorite celebs. So I’ve met some people, worked with some people, and the attraction is still there, but will it always be like that?

For example, last week I was able to meet this kid (nickname “Spanish” from his role in an “old” frat house comedy from a few years ago) as well as meeting “Kelly” from the original Bad News Bears. The more I’m meeting these random celebrities, the more I think that there are endless amounts of “collectible” sightings. With collecting those mini helmets, I knew I could eventually acquire them all and then show them off to whoever would care to see them (which probably didn’t encompass too many people past the age of 8). With working the film business I know that every day, every week, and every month, I will be meeting someone new. I will be meeting someone that I saw in a movie 10 years ago, in a meaningless role, and I will think that it’s still cool.

I only hope that in a few years I don’t become immune to the “collectible” celebrity introduction factor. At the very least, I will still think it is exciting, but it won’t be like it was during the first few months.

By the way, the filming is going well. I’m getting a better feel for my role. Each day I have less and less screw-ups. Soon I hope to go one-day error free, if that’s even possible in the film world.

With a Sugar-Free Red Bull by my side

After all my complaining and worrying about this week to start, it is now over. Week 1 of...umm..many went fairly well. Unfortunately we were shooting nights outside and it was really, REALLY cold. I thankfully purchased new ski/snow pants (that happen to be pretty puffy on me) that made it so I didn't even feel the wind, but my face and my hands were cold no matter how many layers I had covering them.

Working with a lot of actors this week was quite a baptism by fire. All four nights at the field we had at least 15 principal actors to deal with. Most of the time I had someone assisting me, but it was still pretty daunting. The hardest part is keeping track of all the actors, plus we had five kids who are in the movie and were there for three nights. Everyone loves to leave their trailer and wander, and with the trailers spread out by a couple blocks, it was very hard to see who was coming and going without losing people. Overall it went smoothly and this coming week we will be shooting all daytime stuff. No more leaving for work at 3pm and getting home by 8am the next day. My head was definitely messed with when I get home from work and people are reading the new newspaper on the train and when I go back to work, they are reading the same paper. The day for me has changed but it is still the same for everyone else. So damn odd.

So the actors have been cool for the most part. The main actor, of all the main actors, has been a tough read. He is a little standoff-ish and egotistical (and a bit of a pain so far) but not terrible. The Irish guy is very cool and approachable and I don't see any problems with him arising. The rest are nice as well and so the only thing that affects the flow of the day is how many of them I have on set.

Oh and if any of you know about the site called “friendster,” one of the actresses has a page. Email me if you want to know which one. I think it is hilarious. She is so into herself and she isn’t much of a star at all. I doubt she knows its there anymore. Very funny indeed.