A horrible combination, in fact.
I need another job. I need a job, period, and the longer I go between gigs makes me realize that at some point in the near future, I am going to get sucked back into the corporate world.
Question: Will I go kicking and screaming, or will I simply surrender to it and forget the fun, gypsy lifestyle of freelancing on film productions?
Mom says "no prospective employer will hire someone with an attitude like yours." I [wait for it] am a "hornet's nest."
Really? And which prospective employers are reading my 2-cents-worth on any given day?
Hey, if they read it on a good day, on a positive day, does that increase my chances? Because, quite frankly, I was about as Pollyanna and honestly positive as I could have been much earlier in the year (for a long time), and it really didn't get me anywhere.
But, just for grins and giggles, here are the most positive things I can say for 2010 -
I had several paying production jobs, and one of them even paid me my worth (for eight days of the month and one week that I worked).
I met a load of neat people...worthy colleagues, whom I hope to work with again, sooner rather than later.
I had multiple successes as a Scripty (each job more challenging than the previous one), and a positive experience as Boom Op. Still hoping to be paid for 1.5 of those gigs before too much (more) time passes.
Karl has finished all but the sound portion of his final project, and the instructor has offered to allow him to finish and turn in the last two projects for grading!
Thanks to my mom I have a great car, and managed to work several times throughout the year.
I have great friends.
I plan to enjoy having my oven/range in my house rather than in my garage in a crate...oh, but that's more a 2011 thing. However, this year's progress has given me hope of that happening.
Convinced Brian to finally swap the tires on his car for the extra set (of new tires on rims) that came with his car (and have been sitting in the garage ever since) when he purchased it over a year ago! Also, Brian is still working at Michael's, and is shortlisted for a permanent FT position that is opening shortly. Both very good things.
I did finish a few quilts, although not as many as I had wanted to. I am pleased with my work, and when I compare it to quilts I look at - of some of the women online who have a huge following (watching and commenting, oohing and ahhing) - I feel satisfied that I like my work and don't feel as though I skipped corners to get something finished just for the sake of notching up another finished project. I feel that the quality of my work (in all aspects of the finished quilt) is quite good.
Yeah, I know that last one sounded like sour grapes, but I am ok with that. I am giving myself credit for my talent - what could be more positive?
Not as expected - or promised - last Friday, or this past Monday, or even Wednesday. Nope, they picked it up a full week after they initially began their promisory service.
This last week of 2010 has not been a satisfactory week - in any way, shape or form, and not just because of the trash non-service.
After I rolled my little car back into the driveway (remind me to remind the 'slaves' that clearing the driveway of snow means actually clearing the driveway, and not just a foot path for the tires), I put the trash out - AGAIN - per my phone conversation with the WM customer service person's instructions on Friday.
See, our small but affordable - and efficient -trash service was gobbled up by a much larger trash conglomerate while I was away. Of course, care was taken to warn (er, that is to say....'announce') the change to those who used the little garbage haulers...sort of. A letter came saying that we shouldn't worry; no needless changes to pick-up dates or times would be made, no large jumps in rates or limitations would occur; that the changeover would be seamless.
Rrr-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-ght.
A secondary postcard was also waiting in my stack of mail when I arrived home, stating that our usual pick-up day of Thursday would now take place on Friday. Ahem....our usual pick-up day for trash collection was already on Friday, so what does it all mean?
Well, when I called the customer service number Friday afternoon, around 4:50PM, to inquire after the languishing pile of trash at the end of the driveway, and to find out approximately when the truck might get there, I was surprised to learn that our pick-up day had been moved to Thursday. (You could see that coming, couldn't you?)
"OK," I said, "but the post card quite clearly states that our day is on Friday and not Thursday, and for the past several weeks my sons have been putting out the trash per your instructions (with much the same result)."
"Yeah," said the very un-enthusiastic voice at the other end of the phone, "those were kind of wrong. Those cards were sent to the wrong customers."
Hmmm, what about sending out a corrected piece of mail? I'm sure hundreds of phone calls weren't any easier to field.
"So what do I do with my bags of lonely garbage between now and next Thursday?" I asked.
"Well, I could schedule you for an exta pick-up some time on Monday, if that will help," said the bored representative.
Hmmm....an "extra" pick-up would imply that there had already been a first pick-up, but I wasn't going to argue symantics with someone who obviously wouldn't get the difference, much less care.
I agreed to the Monday pick-up, donned my boots and a jacket, gathered the trash and placed it once more into the garage. Now (of course) I am curiously watching and listening for signs of garbage gathering on a much larger scale. I miss my little garbage company, I really do.
Ugh and argh!
Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer, somewhere in the mid- (probably low) 30*F range. If that happens, there will undoubtedly be some melting going on, and a whole lotta shoveling for my sons and myself. Yesterday, I saw a few of my icepickles dripping in the afternoon sun, but not all of them...just a couple here and there. When there is selective melting I am horrified to think what the reason might be (because I know it must also mean water damage somewhere in a wall).
I have a load of things I want to do, and a smaller load of things I need to do, but I don't know which to tackle first. The better thing would be to start with the needful before touching the 'want-to's,' but I am so wanting to quilt and move my furniture around, and do the fun stuff. Maybe if I begin in the middle of each pile and work my way out. ??
Began working on Karl's last assignment for animation class yesterday afternoon. He never went to the last class, and didn't turn in what he had done!!!!!! Argh! I guess my sharper stick is better than his older brother's, and my methods of keeping him incentivized work better, too. We cut and edited the video so that it lasted a bit longer than the eight seconds he had scanned/animated. Karl was happy with those changes, and then we began adding end credits. Now, he needs to add his bit of silliness (a graphic that will fly in from the right) and we will record sound and add it for the final touch.
He doesn't see the point, since the class ended a couple of weeks ago, but his instructor was so very kind and offered to let Karl come in when the new term starts to use the lab to finish and turn in his last assignment for a grade! How often does that happen? I had thoughts of sending an email and asking for that favor, but here the instructor has offered it up...so I am making Karl finish his task - yes, this long after the fact. This is a lesson he needs pounded into his brain. FINISH WHAT YOU START!
OK, I feel a little better for having ranted a tad. Thanks for letting me kvetch.
Some of you celebrate Hanukkah, Diwali, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Festivus, and 100 other religious or non-secular festivities that I am far too lazy to look up at the moment. So, to you I say "Season's Greetings," whatever those may be.
Here's to racial and religious tolerance and understanding; to peace on Earth; and, to a marvelous time of sharing with your family and friends. Neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend, new acquaintances and old school chums, co-worker to co-worker, prince to pauper, party leader to the corporate nameless - let's all clasp hands and defiantly challenge the future by letting go of past grievances. Let's strive to understand one another and stop demanding that the 'other guy' needs to make all the concessions and change.
The world is too populated with far more differences than similarities to try and make everyone the same. The vastness and beauty in the diversity of skin tones, languages, nationalities, cultures, sexual orientation and passions has been on the earth for nearly as long as it has turned.
Shouldn't humanity start with being humane?
You, with the gun blindly following the first guy with a gun, stop bullying the oppressed. They aren't hurting you, and they aren't a threat. Don't teach your children to hate simply because you can - teach them respect for others and instill a sense of curiosity and patience. Nobody has to convert, the strong just have to allow others to be who they are. Don't let your fears override your common sence and decency. Don't let your rulers allow bullying and torture to be the way a nation operates.
And you, civic and political leaders, stop analyzing and researching and identifying problems we already know exist and start doing something about them. It's taken you thirty years to realize that thirty years ago you (or your predecessors) were right, and that everything [we] did to the earth is now coming back to haunt our fate and shape our bleak environmental future.
Don't forget, we weren't the first people on the planet, but at the rate we're going, we could very well be the last.
Season's Greetings. Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Humans...and the Creatures of the World.
Remember, all quilt blogging and photos are now at: www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com
By the time I arrived most of the folks were 'toasted' - that, or 'glowing' wildly....or just plain drunk. That makes conversation hard, but I suppose that's the point. But then, what's the point (of going)?
I know, I know...I am too pragmatic.
Yes, some people acted rediculous. Yes, there was karaoke. Yes, things were broken. Oh, yes...I got pictures.
I handed off the final reports to the 2nd AD, and that took some doing. Nobody wanted to take them. Nobody.
Nobody would loan me a key to the office so that I could put them safely there (although they all thought that was a grand idea)...and nobody would part with their car key long enough for me to slip the reports onto a car seat instead of leaving them in the party zone. But three people witnessed the hand-off (not including myself)...and there is now an email in my inbox asking for the reports so the editor can have them to get to work.
Hellooooooo!
Still waiting for a response to my email response, and answers to my questions regarding the third paycheck, OT, a time card for the last day and my bloody crew shirt. (Yes, it's all pretty typical.)
Still trying to make straight in my head what day it is, and trying not to fall asleep in the afternoon, awaking near midnight and haunting the house for hours until I can fall asleep again.
It's grey and bitter outside, but I still have things to do. LOTS and lots of things, and most require that I put on warm clothes and head outdoors to get them done. [sniff] I also need to edit (a bit) photos and send them out to various people from the production. Folks whose homes we used for sets, and people whose photos were taken with the director, etc. Some are talent and others are crew...but still, I need to get them cropped and sized for sending (and I am going to add my own watermark as well). It all takes time, but it will happen.
Everything takes time, even getting used to being home.
I still have the last of my reports to finish and turn in, but that is ok as the immediacy of a tight deadline no longer hangs over me. I will crank out the work, turn it in this afternoon, pack up the car, tool around GR getting photos I've wanted to snap for the last three weeks, stop in to the wrap party for a small while....and then point the car for home late this evening.
Boys....mama is coming home!
Last night was a tense night - for everyone - so I imagine people are enjoying the kick-back time today (myself included). I still have work, but without the added stress of time constraints built around sleep requirements, and then the drive time biting into it all.
Got 'home' this morning around 5:15 or so, and despite the fact that I didn't truly feel sleepy, I laid down and looked at some email, and reviewed some of the images and "film" snippets I shot with my camera from the monitors, and some of the silliness behind the scenes. Before I knew it, I was asleep.
I awoke around 1:30pm or so, and felt tired but awake. My sleeping hours were fitful, as most of these production days have been. When there are reports hanging over my head, I dream in scenes and sequences, and log everything; not much rest with that. Tonight I intend to sleep peacefully and deeply.
Before leaving location this morning, the photog took a crew picture, and this was a first for me. Sadly, the confines of the space made the picture nearly impossible, but I think Jason may have pulled it off. I also believe I am actually going to get a crew shirt - after all of this time, how cool is that!!
Then, the capper of the evening, a goodnight hug from Imani and then Dave!! Usually I get across the room 'good nights' and a wave, but Dave made a point to come over and give me a hug. Yea! (Of course, he hugged other folks, and/or fist bumped people on the way, but still, I was included in the activity.) Then, he invited me to a small crew activity at a place called "The Intersection" in GR. I think it is a dance club sort of thing - this I am still considering, but it was very cool that he asked. I am 15 again, and yes, I am 'crushing.'
:")
Ah, well.
Tomorrow we are back at it, with roughly 20 more scenes to cover, and only two more production days to get it done in. Let's hear it for 20*F-something days and lake-effect snow! My day off is quickly coming to an end.
Hello!
Woke up about an hour ago, but I would like to sleep a little more. Hoping that the paperwork will make me drowsy again (mentally, it knocks me out; the association is enough to make me loopy), so I am fixing to start on it fairly soon.
It was a long night last night; I jinxed it when we got to lunch, saying out loud that the first six [hours] went so quickly and I was still feeling energized. Woohoo! It was the wrong thing to say, because we ended up working hours over. [GROAN]
We had a noon to midnight shoot day, but we ended up going to 2:30! AM!! I felt badly for the owners of the house we commandeered. Killed two people in their lovely rumpus room and kept them awake - if not out of their own home - way beyond what would be reasonable. The husband was all for our filming there, but the wife wanted nothing to do with it. Their dog...well, the dog loved everybody. Anyhow, tonight is another overnight, beginning at 5:50PM. Ugh.
YES, I have the long underwear, it is warming in front of a heat vent as I type, and will go on immediately after a shower. Had new gloves, but last night they disappeared when someone moved my bag on a turnaround. Still have the hat, tho, and the gloves I arrived with, but will try to stop at a Walmart and grab another insulating pair on the way in. We will be filming mostly exteriors (EXT) tonight, with some of that on the river, so I expect video village will be fully outfitted with sides and heaters. Ah yes, and I need to grab another heavy duty mechanical pencil, too. Had my best working one yesterday for the first scene, but somehow dropped it (or had it "borrowed" and never returned) once we made our mini company move. Love you, and will talk with you in a day or two. me
P.S. By the way, Mom, if you read this later, I am getting back and forth alright, and we have a WONDEFUL locations manager who lives in (and knows) GR like the back of EVERYbody's hand. When I get lost, I call him and he guides me wherever it is I need to be!
I am just so excited to have gotten more than three uninterrupted, non-fitful hours of sleep. No report deadlines, not a shadow of "what-did-I-miss?" looming over my braincells as they shut down (or tried to). I actually sat upright trying to do something just for me after getting home this morning...and I was yawning up a storm doing it, when finally, I just picked myself up and travelled to the bedroom and allowed myself to crash.
It is too bad I am now acclimated to nights! After recharging, I now wish we had a day of filming to attack! I will most likely head to back to bed in a few hours - putting myself in the drowsy mode by doing paperwork - and over the next day off I will prepare to accomplish the last six days with great aplomb and energy. Woohoo! I know, I hear you out there. 'The best laid plans...'
We head back to work Monday at noon, filming at an Italian restaurant (our third such location), and then do a company mini-move to a private residence to round out Day 10.
We be gypsies!
Our three leading actors are Dave Batista, Amy Smart, and Dominic Purcell, with several other known credited performers in smaller supporting roles.
Dave is an absolute gentleman, and Amy is a doll.
There are certain scenes where Amy just glows, and it isn't the lighting; what a fabulously talented pixie she is. There is a long career in the wings for his woman, and I plan to look at more of her previous works once I am through with this gig.
Dave is not what you would expect of a wrestler whose stage name was "the Animal." His performance to date has been understated and overwhelmingly real.
His hesitancy and trepidation in his abilities is beautifully transferred to the screen -to his character's benefit. Just watching the monitor during filming is a joy.
Dominic is a voice chameleon and an engaging screen presence, and I am giving him huge extra credit for tolerating our harsh weather and still remaining the consummate performer. I am now a fan of them all!
I have a great job.....what a dream!
At home, our UPS fellas rarely knock once before depositing the package on the doorstep and charging off. Here, they are oh, so polite - and cautious - about leaving things. Three knocks, three rings...and they asked for a signature. I have never signed for anything at home. Our brown guys drop and run! Go figure.
Not only that, but the driver laughed when my bed-head answered the door and my half-opened eyes tried to focus. I'll get you, UPS. [LOL]
Anyhow, the sleep was short, but harder than yesterday, so even though I would like another 2 hours before heading back to GR tonight, I am not going to get it. I'm up.
Deep down, in our little, twisted production hearts, we all knew that at some point we would have to go out and do more exteriors. The question was really "what sort of weather conditions would we be working in when it happened?"
Uncle Tom told me that the weather had shown a storm heading directly for GR, with a few inches predicted for overnight. Holland typically will get the white stuff by the buckets full, and GR will remain unscathed - but not last night! Nope, when I arrived, the sky had already deposited just under an inch on the ground, and the winds were making set-up a nightmare - and there was still so much more to come. Those poor grips and gaffers.
Because it was a Thursday evening (and due to the weather), we managed to make it through the night with nary an onlooker to worry over or admonish. There were an awful lot of trucks, though - more than we have dealt with (noise-wise) thus far - and the salt trucks seemed to make more than their necessary two passes to get the small two lane street a dose. Last night was a sound man's horror story. Happily, however, we did only inconvenience one resident trying to park at the condo next to "the House" - our home for the last week. Ah, well.
Of course, when we fired off rounds at 2AM - several times over - that may have been a bit of an inconvenience as well. Cheeky buggers.
Day 9 of 15 -- We are more than halfway through with our shoot schedule (hallelujah), and the film is due out in April, at least that is what one of the producers told me last night. Tonight we are back to interiors (yeah!), good thing, too. I checked my boots, and they are still quite wet, so I am wearing sneakers tonight. We are filming not far from an earlier location or two, and just 'down the street' from Taps (the defunct bar we've been using as one of two locations to pose as "the House"). It's all very surreal and cool. We will be in an apartment complex, annoying residents all around for 12 overnight hours. This is sure to be an experience for the uninitiated.
The House of the Rising Sun is taking it on the road, breaking set in the heart of downtown GR and bunking down for Jenny's apartment scene with Ray, Tony's late night visit, and Jenny's side of a phone call with Ray. Oh, yeah, it's gonna be fun.
Lion's Gate is going to love the finished product, I think. For the small budget, this is looking truly amazing. There's just a little too much of the f-bomb for my liking, but it is what it is.
Last night we even had those real squad and unmarked police cars again, and real cops for the finale shoot out! I think they enjoyed the experience, even if the guns and our use of their cars made them a bit nervous. They were a great help in making the scene believable, giving pointers to the actors on how to approach the suspect and during the take down as to how to handle the firearms with a professional look, and how to drive a squad car onto the scene to make a great entrance. Holy cow, no geriatric cops in that bunch.
I find myself feeling really sleepy and completely capable of some good decent z's while I am commuting from location to Holland at the end of each day. You know, that lovely drowsy feeling that smacks you upside your brain and closes your eyes when it is time to slumber? If it could be possible to just pull over on the shoulder of 169 and close my eyes right then and there, I think I would really feel so much more refreshed.
To make matters worse, tonight/today, we are back outside for EXT's, again. This is punishment for answering an ad for a scripty position in MI in December.
Last night/this morning (a.k.a. yesterday, or Day 7) was cramped. We had numerous visitors to the set for much of the beginning of the night. Room for video village was at a premium, and I fought like mad to grab and hold my own position, vying for elbow room in a very tight space. Now add 10 more heads to that herd and pack them all into a space the size of a dining room table - with gear and workaround objects. Argh!
We were examined by the Lion's Gate folks, who came to see how the film was coming along, what conditions were like, etc, etc. Then, somehow, Ben Stiller, 50 Cent and the the director (and posse) of Set Up stopped in at the same time. Of course, they all wanted to stand and watch, too.
No, sadly, Bruce was not among the heads in the crowd.. Ah well, maybe next time.
I have some photos to post, which I will do over the weekend, but for now I need to find a way to wake up. Darn it.
I won't (shouldn't/can't) drive home for those days here and there, but I will be able to do a little 'recreatin'' on the other side of the state for those delicious hours off.
Six day work weeks are the standard in the industry, with one full 12-hour day off in between. Sometimes you gain a little extra time off when the production office schedules a turnaround to move from daytime filming to nights - or, from nights to days - and they then have to add acclimation time for that transition to the day off (ex: 12 hours + 8 hours = happy crew). So, you see, this unnatural two day break is a luxury, and I say "thank you."
We wrapped Saturday morning, after working 4:30pm to 6:20am (yes, Friday afternoon to Saturday morning), and on a larger scale project, all union, that overrun on the day never would have happened. That would have been a cost overrun of humongous proportions. Our AD was already wearing a mask of panic as it was. Poor Drago. They are working with some union folks behind the lens, so that little 2+ hour OT will create a little dough-re-me trouble - but there is usually some slush built into the budget for issues and extras, it just can't happen too often (if it happens at all).
I finished my paperwork that morning (yea for getting caught up and staying there), but the people in the prod office left early, so my chance to give them a copy left with the key to that door. It was odd walking to the parking ramp through empty streets - especially in downtown GR. Bustling downtown GR - it was a ghost town. It was a scene from "Omega Man," and I was Charlton Heston.
Drove through town to the nearest expressway entrance and headed for home. Home home. By that time it was about 7:50am, and I was drooping and physically fatigued. My brain was willing - on autopilot, but willing - although my body was pooped. At some point west of the city my eyes had had enough and were threatening to shut down. To me this signals that my brain has also decided to give it up, but I was having conversations in my head that would make you think otherwise. My main objective from that moment was to get to a rest stop and pull over for a nap.
A little before 10am or so I awoke from a light nap to find I was freezing, but fully awake and functional (I need to get a small pillow for the car to make naps like these 100% comfy, just to optimize the time), and I made a note to myself to let the car idle from now on - NO MATTER WHAT - just for the heat. Totally worth it.
Home just a squeak after 11am and greeted by Cleo's little disbelieving face at the window (awww) and a mound of freshly washed dishes in the strainer, and many more glasses in the sink and on the counter.
Took a shower (by the way, I am still frozen on the inside), did some laundry and vacuumed. Then I made the mistake of sitting down! What I need to do now is turn my internal clock around a bit more so I can get some rest before driving back, just to be ready for the long stretch of nights. I hate running out of steam while writing out the last of the reports following filming each day. Math and detail work is impossible when you are "brain stoopid."
I wanted to put out the trees and decorate them before going away again, but it looks like that won't be happening. I also wanted to help Karl get the last of his final project done, but he didn't film it, so setting sound to the video track is a no-go.
Jean came by in her Suburban so we could unload the books remaining from the earlier craft sale we sold some at. Karl helped to move them from the truck to the garage, and everything went back onto shelves. I had planned on selling more off at another show yesterday, but the last minute call to duty on this film sort of messed up those plans. Ah well...next year. Although, I am convinced to sell some online just to reduce the bulk and put more cash in the bank. Yes, it's work, but I am OK with the idea of keeping busy and making money.
The wind is howling outside, a foretelling of the snow storms they are predicting. I am praying the snow holds off until I am safely on the west side again, from there I will figure out the rest. For now, I am home; rubbing kitty tummies and leaving piles of catnip for the girls, making something nice for dinner for the boys and myself tonight, and enjoying the last of this reprieve. Tomorrow the game mask goes back on, and I am back in full scripty mode.
Stay well everyone, and be safe.
You'll find all of my quilting blog entries and photos now at: www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com
Day one of the shoot began and ended on a wet note. Drove to the location in the rain, drove "home" in the rain. Oh, yeah, and we filmed in the rain. Although, I must admit, the dampness abated just before lunch, but by then the temps had fallen and we were all wet. So, there we were...a crew of 'meatsicles' running all over the locations, attempting to stave off the cold with activity, warm beverages, humor and smiles.
At some point in the early evening, right before sundown, 3 small, vertical, portable propane heaters were wheeled in, and you never saw so many people try to get warm and not go up in flames in one place.
Picture penguins on an ice floe or at the edge of the water - all huddled up and keeping warm - but hungry and needing to move into the water...and hopefully not get eaten by a predator in the dark, icy water (or, in our case, just having to move about and keep working/filming). Who was going to move first? And there were always more penguins trying to shoulder their way in to the huddle. Trying to get some of that heat, to replace the toasty one who had moved out.
Pathetically funny - but I guess you have to be there to enjoy the humor.
By the end of Day 1, we were all quite happy to break set and get outta "Dodge."
Oh yeah, and we killed a guy. Actually, we killed two guys that day. Welcome to film.
Bring on Day 2.
Also wet, but in another more extremely hazardous way. Snow. Snow and ice. Snow and ice and cold, cold, cold.
Aside from attempting to navigate unfamiliar territory in a sane, timely manner (a.k.a. meeting your call time), was the added distraction of dodging 'snow bullets' and finding a last minute solution to the road sign along 196 North which read: "196 N. closed at Market Street, seek alternate routes."
WHAT!?!!??!!?! I don't know any alternate routes!
Ah, but my loving hosts might!
Ring, ring [17th phone call to Aunt Deb and Uncle Tom in about two days]
Hello. [Sweet, sing-song A. Deb's voice]
Hey there, hi, it's me [again...tired of me, yet?]. Say, do you know of any alternate routes from 196 to get across town? The sign on the expressway says 196 is closed way south of where I have to get to. What exit to hit in order to bypass the jam but still cross GR to my location?
See, the night before we spoke on the phone, while I drove "home" to Holland, after wrapping Day 1, to let them know I was on my way there, and we talked about the next location for the following day. A. Deb kindly Googled it and had a map already on the computer for me to get directions from by the time I had arrived! See, I was all set and prepared...thank you, Aunt Deb!
Then that ol' monkey wrench appears.
Any how, between Deb and Uncle Tom, they air-traffic-controlled my mounting northbound panic into a dull roar, navigating me off the highway and on to surface streets to make it to where I had to be in the best, safest fashion for the circumstances.
Snow, snow, snow.
We began filming in the gently falling stuff, giving a completely different look to the Director's project - but it is looking beautiful. Sort of a lovely powdered dusting on a rough and vicious story.
Lipstick on a hoodlum pig.
Last night I arrived "home" somewhere just after 11PM. I hadn't been here in a day and a half. I ended up falling asleep, face down on my paperwork (long story...another time). I was sitting at a desk in one of the rooms reserved for the film, and clunk! Lights out and drool pool forming. So I went over to the little sofa and curled up for a nap, hopefully to refresh my frozen, very sleep-deprived brain cells.
Maybe half an hour later, the Production Coordinator stumbled in and the lights came on! I was awake! Not functional, but awake.
I pushed through the rest of the owed paperwork (he left and went to another room - also reserved for the production - and passed out there), finished in time to get to the set at the hotel, and have a pseudo-breakfast (I was starving). Thus began the long day into night which was Day 3.
To this point we have been in six basic locations. The Lazy T Motel, a rather old trailer park, the Herkimer Apts, GRPD (front door, parking garage - fascinating, by the way - and city street), an alley, and a Radisson Hotel (posing as three sets).
Well, I need to move about. My time is growing short and I need to be ready to travel back to GR in a few short hours. Tonight will be a seventeen scene day. Lots of reverse shots, extra setups, lots of notes and LOTS of paperwork. My goal is to try and keep up, even outdoors (although rain and wet paper are not conducive for this job, and the time line you must work within to meet end-of-day reporting).
In truth, yes, I am struggling. I guess this is a good firing ground to test my mettle, to forge my skills. It's also a way to break my resolve and make me see I may not be cut out for this particular job. I'll let you know which way I fall on the meter.
For now, my overflowing thanks and deep appreciation to Aunt Deb and Uncle Tom for allowing me to come into their beautiful domicile and throw turmoil and late night (and early morning) noises into their well-ordered world. Thank you, THANK YOU! Oh, and I'm sorry for the inconveniences, too. You are God-sent.
Stay warm everyone.
