Friday, November 30, 2007

The Study Set

This set is beautifully dressed and painted. Our Production Designer
has created a room that is great looking but some of the design
doesn't translate to the screen.

I have a pet peeve, film is a one demensional medium. The viewer will
not know that the monkey sculpture on the coffee table cost 13
thousand dollars. The audience can't see that something is real.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

2nd A.C.

This is one of - no, not one of, she's the easiest going people with
whom I've worked. Kristi is a good person to understate it.

On the work front, we're working on Saturday and I will be one this
movie until mid-January. The sixth day will make up for the short
week before Thanksgiving. I hope I can be a member of the reduced
unit that starts after the holidays.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

I missed yesterday for no good reason.

I missed yesterday for no good reason.
Once again we have the rumor of work this Saturday.

We're looking at a long couple of days if we are to dodge the Saturday
work.

I'm sorry to annouce that I'm really tired this morning but I'll try
to write later.

Be well


Sent from my iPhone

Monday, November 26, 2007

What's For 2nd Meal?

When the meal is Tito's Tacos the food doesn't last long. This is the
favorite food of 55% of the Grips, the other 45% prefer In-N-Out.

Having four days off was great and everyone is in agreement on that.
The only downside is many on our crew have returned to work with a
cold or flu.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Thanksgiving Eve

I don't know how I managed to miss a post yesterday but I did.

Today's work was comprised of many takes, Int. FBI command vehicle. The entire interior of the van is on a large gimble which moves the set piece around as though it's being shaken by some large thing. The first few takes are interesting to watch but the repetition dulls the senses.

I'm off to bed after a pre-Thanksgiving meal.

Be well.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Fog Photo

Although this is from last Friday, I really like the look of the light
and the fog. The night didn't turn out too badly, all things
considered.

We're excited to be back on stage with only two more wake-ups this
week. 2nd Unit is working on the stage next door and they make a lot
of noise because they don't have sound.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Our last night here is Somis has turned out to be the coldest.

Our last night here is Somis has turned out to be the coldest.

2nd unit will be here tomorrow shooting what we miss. I am so happy
not to work.

The weekend has the potential to be blissfully quiet.

I don't have much to say today as not much is happening. I have
noticed the crew is very happy to go back to stage Monday and as more
and more TV shows shut down, we are all grateful to have a job during
this downturn in our industry/business.

Whatever line of work you're in, I hope the employment future is
consistent, if not bright.

Be well.


Sent from my iPhone

Friday, November 16, 2007

The Vanities & Costume

Here are make-up, hair (the vanities) and costumes sit in a reading
clutch and wait for the first shot after lunch.

The temperature is about 20 degrees cooler than last night but the
mood of the crew is almost giddy. I think this is due to two things:
it's payday and we know we're not working here Saturday night.

The Holiday Inn Express in Camarillo is a decent enough hotel but it's
not as nice as the Marriot we stayed in when I worked on "Rush Hour
3". Don't get me wrong, it's better than driving home every day.

Another crew member was sent to the hospital today. A camera mount
fell off a dolly and struck the 2nd Assistant Camera on the back of
the head. She didn't want to go but I told her that a head injury
should be checked at the hospital. The Fire Safety Officer told the
A.C. that she would be examined in about 10 minutes... it took three
hours.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Hump Night

Hump Night

It's all downhill from here. The great news is, it appears we will
finish shooting our nights in Somis on Friday. Monday will find me
close to home at The Culver Studios. We've been on location for almost
eight weeks, so stage is a good place to work.

During one our mortar scenes tonight a stuntman sustained a possible
broken collar bone. As he ran past an exploding mortar the concussive
blast through him to the ground. I say "possible" because I can't
determine a closed fracture, an X-Ray is necessary to be sure. I've
worked with this stuntman before and I know he is usually very careful
but accidents happen. He was taken to the hospital and I look forward
to hearing an update.

That's all for tonight.

Be well.


Sent from my iPhone

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Before The Mortars

We are preparing to shoot a scene where the "monster" shoots at the
good guys. The Special Effects technicians placed mortars in the lawn
and filled them with cork and potting soil. The explosions were pretty
good and the debris went everywhere.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Pride

Josh, Craft Service, makes a fine looking basket of goodies. This is
one of about a half dozen that will be set out for us after lunch.

The rumors of our future in Somis are blowing faster than an empty
water bottle in these Santa Ana winds. We'll probably be here through
the end of the week.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Behind The Scenes

I'm getting more sleep working nights than if I was on a day shift. I
think I tell myself that I have to get to sleep as fast as I can.
Consequently I've gotten eight hours a day/night since this night work
starred. That doesn't mean I still not tired though.

We're going to a UCLA football game tomorrow.

Have a great weekend.

Be well.

Here I am in Somis for night two of a proposed seven. The house is big and the grounds are enormous.

Here I am in Somis for night two of a proposed seven. The house is
big and the grounds are enormous.

81 background last night and 61 tonight. Party scene arrival from
early this week. There is a lot of down time here. Next week will be
tough because everyday is night, yuk!

I discovered that I've misspelled Bill Nighy's name. I should be more
aware.

The primary topic of discussion is the WGA strike and what it means to
each speaker. Thankfully our movie probably won't be effected by the
writers. We all hope for a settlement soon. I have medic friends on
"24" and "CSI: Las Vegas" who will be out of work by the end of the
month.

We're shooting a Doberman barking and it's driving me to distraction,
so goodnight/morning.

Be well.


Sent from my iPhone

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Last night

This is the Interior of the Bill Nigh character's mansion.
I didn't post last night because we, the crew, heard the day was going
to be so short they'd have to stretch to get to lunch.
This was total bs. we I worked 16.5 hours. I think one of the A.D.'s
needs to say to the crew, "Look, something's come up and we're In the
toilet". Now the crew is still gonna be pissed off but I think they
want to help get back on track.
Today we begin 7-? days of nights. At least we know when the "day"
ends.

Be well.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Gathering Spot

Just as everyone gathers in your Grandmother's kitchen, so it is on a
movie set with the crafty table.

On Wednesday we begin eight days of night in Ventura County. We will
stay in a hotel which will make everything a little better.

This month is going by so fast even though it's only the 5th. I'm
looking for four days off for Thanksgiving. I think we are going to
be on stage just before the break.

Friday, November 2, 2007

I missed the last couple of days because I've been pretty tired.

I missed the last couple of days because I've been pretty tired.

We're working in Sun Valley with Bill Nigh, Davey Jones from
"Pirates of the Carribean". He plays the bad guy and we're shooting
his mansion.

An ugly rumor is circulating that we will work on Thanksgiving because
it isn't an IATSE holiday and we are behind. I hope that isn't true.

I'm dealing with 150 background "artists" who are hitting my cart
hard. My situation is nothing like Crafty has to deal with. These
folks are like Locust, they sense food with some sort of highly
developed radar, it's scary.

I don't think I'll get out of here before 2:18 AM

Be well.


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