life of a filmstar

Busy times. A week ago Wednesday, I missed most of the Zombie movie shoot. I walked in as Jordan was finishing the takeover of the local news station to become Zombie brain watch. I got a photo. Maxwell asked if I could help on Friday and sent me a script.

Then I was the Star. I ran through the forest chased by the monster, screaming, taking refuge in an old deserted shack. Slowly going mad. That was last Friday. During the week I followed the crew to several locations and did what I could to help out. Sometimes character work, sometimes just staying out of the way while trying to absorb more experience and familiarity with the lighting and sound technologies etc.

Saturday after work, I tried to round up extras for zombies part2, but by the time I had it handled the shoot was done. We put my friends off till the next week.

Monday I was an off duty cop flirting with my coworkers in the background of an old bar, while two, crusty, older cops tried to solve an impossible case at a nearby table. That was a full day of lighting and working on finding replacements and stand-ins for missing or absent actors. We had the use of Eagles club till 4 pm. Yet a different director and directing style.

Tuesday all day on campus. Resnet was down all week at the dorms, so internet access was severely constrained to the library building only, and usually to library hours as well. I put several more layers onto the paper mache helmet I was making for next weeks project. That took nearly 10 days in all to complete, and once it dried, about 3 more days to cut, shape, paint, and apply rub and buff so it looks like metal. Thank heavens I didn't have to do that! The paper and flour water was more then tedious enough. I also finally caught up with Andrew to finish my hire paperwork for the Tai Chi Class.

Wednesday, I taught my campus Tai chi class. It went much better then the previous one where they put us in a basketball court. This time they let me use a dance studio, and we worked on the first 9 moves of 24 form Tai Chi Chaun. It was nice. I had about 8 people show up.

Thursday we crammed into someones tiny apartment to shoot a scene about a young girl trying to put her life together after rehab, and not doing to good a job. I was the voice of her MOM, who called her cell phone at an inopportune moment. Multiple takes running up and down the stairs so I could hear my cue, but not be heard in the echo of the stairwell. I have no idea how many minutes that used on my cell phone bill. ouch.

Late Thursday, we were in another Bar. A different bar. The royal. Where The young girl falls off the wagon in a dream sequence. Once again I mostly helped by staying out of the way. Although I did run interference with people trying to enter the set and found the extra set of bar lights for the guys, and helped keep the talent happy.

Friday Morning found us on the West side, at a small used clothing store. This was the job the young girl gets fired from for using at work. We all did some browsing, and, made good contacts with the store owners for future projects, and possible costuming resources. By now my character work was done, so I was just support.

Saturday I worked and then got to play production manager. I rounded up cast and craft services for the big shoot on Sunday.

Sunday. A long day indeed. "Book of Secrets" movie trailer. 5 locations. Only one of Don's classmates showed up, but the entire cast descended upon his dorm room. I cooked all day for cast and crew. Breakfasts, coffee, vegetable pasta salad, I ran props, helped with make up and got the talent to the locations. I helped look after the kid someone brought and gave her jobs to keep her busy, and ran the clap board. In the afternoon I provided costumes, props, suggestions and transportation to alternate locations. Then once the 8 or 9 other cast members had done their parts and been released, it was my turn. Sunday night. lights, make up, black screen in the living room. I was a stone goddess, who comes to life, sees the wrong being done, and goes to war! Thus, at last, the helmet.

Don't worry! Once the post production is finished the films will be posted to You tube, and I will post links! Its a good thing Mike couldn't meet for music recently! who has the time? I start working nights now.