D+4

Some folks are asking specifically what it is I am doing in Grayling, aside from getting paid. Describe your job...your day. In a nutshell, here is a brief description of the mindset for the next 2.75 weeks (and for the past nearly 3.5 weeks):

You must be able to interpret a lot of acronyms on the fly, and be able to think in military time. You must be able to let your mind scramble and tackle many issues at once, listen to every conversation and filter out extemporaneous info, and then act on the important needs. You must be able to take any alteration to the matrix (a very detailed planning strategy/diagram) or problem with a grain of salt and find a work-around in short order. You need to be proactive and be able to follow directions – ask questions where something isn’t clear, and not waste any time or syllables in communicating. My job is a mix of everything, but mostly stationery desk work – which I am not fond of.

Not.

Not fond of, at all.

I am good at it, but I would rather be more involved in the creative portions…or the action, instead. My job this time is crunching numbers, filtering information, creating and keeping detailed notes and disseminating information. I am a bookkeeper. I am what would be considered the Line Producer (or at least one half of an LP) in a film production.

This is not a film job. The military is filming portions of it for use in training further down the road, and to help secure funding to make this happen all over the US for months to come...but it isn't anything the general public will ever see. It isn't top secret, but it isn't for the eyes of the general public - for reasons I will explain another time.

I began as a Casting Associate, and once that chore was over I was moved to my duty position of Reports and Records. I am, as they say, “Tank’s Girl.” He is the Project Manager and I am his ‘assistant,’ for the most part. But that isn't my title - I don't do coffee!!

My boss, Tank (Terry), is a good man (a retired First Sgt.), and has brought his daughter Sara, along, so that she can work a bit (and capitalize on some $$) before beginning college in a few weeks. By all accounts she is having a good time, and learning a lot about production work, and what it is her dad does for weeks on end when he isn’t home. A military production is far different than a film or TV production, but there are so many similarities that the production folks are right at home working within the confines of the military big brother watching and dictating.

Sorry to cut this short, but there is a raging storm coming up and I need to pack and hit the road and get away from the metal trailer I am sitting in. I promise to give more details shortly.

Thanks for looking in, I miss you all.

What's happening?

Here is a letter response to my mom that will let you know a little of the comings and goings for me here in Grayling.

Hey there -

I just so happen to be on base today - at least for half of it. Our base location is referred to COB FOB (Civilians on Battlefield Forward Operating Base). When our COBs are in action, the area they report to is referred to as "the box." Being "in the box" is to be in the action area where the scenarios take place.

The last few days I have been in town at the Ramada working on Casting, but that has ended, and I am now back at the main location. We hired 90 folks to fill in as villagers (Iraqis and Afghanies, or Is and As) around our I and A real interpreters and role players. There are trained combat people (Nat'l Guard) who will pose as insurgents for the final bit of realism to keep the training as close to real as can be.

The hours are long, and you are working even when you are not working. They talk about this stuff non-stop, some of it reminiscing, and then it DIgresses into a meeting. Luckily, I am not needful to take part in these conversations, so I walk away. Currently, we are gathered for the morning management meeting, which was pushed from 8 this morning to 9...changes always at the last minute. Then, we were told it had been cancelled, but it is going to happen (soon)....but right now they are having fun gabbing about silliness.

Uh-oh, finally meeting time.

They just broke the meeting and we are running to catch up. Crazy crazy. This afternoon we are supposed to have an all-encompassing team building activity, beginning at one pm. Mandatory, and we have to have socks! That was the biggest worry, as they want to take us bowling. (Shhh...that's a secret) Oh for crying out loud! LOL

We will have dinner at the restaurant attached (paid for by ACS), the team building exercise (bowling) and a meeting. So, this is going to be a day.

From tomorrow on it will be a strange and frantic scenario every day. Still meeting everyone who has already landed, and as more of the team continues to arrive (on different days), I have new folks to meet and remember. My job expands to include (eventually) what I will need to accomplish, but it is still undefined 100%. I have had three hats thus far, but I will have only one to wear very soon.

My email capability is not constant, nor is consistant when it does work. When I have been done with production work each day (no time to do anything personal), I want to do a little for myself - update my blog, send email, pay a bill....and I am usually thwarted. By the time I get back to my berth (Eagle's Nest), I am too wiped out to do anything but sleep - or think about sleeping. The days will be getting earlier and earlier, and we will need to convene and be ready for the activities by 4:30am-5am soon enough, so for now these early breakfast drives to town, early meetings which follow - and all else - is a good prep tool.

To answer your questions, yes my car is with me. If I ever have any further issues, the production people are offering their car as a way for me to get around. Took mine to a mechanic earlier in the week (last week, now) and they sort of fixed the trouble, but it is something I am not concerned with for the moment. It runs. Things are going well in this regard. The long drive home will be the issue for the poor old thing. Will deal with it as the time draws near.

It is now much later, as I had a meeting with the Lead Coordinator (Gin, short for Virginia) regarding how we are to handle expense related things - reimbursing for out of pocket for supplies, etc. Lots of etc's. I think we came to a couple of good solutions and now need to implement them, write some from scratch, reinforce other rules which already exist, and so on.

Production people working on a military project. Lots of loosey goosey.

Just went to the mess tent to get my lunch. Today is the first of the catering meals, and it is good. Happy me. Sage stuffing stuffed chicken, mashed spuds and brocolli, and a fair salad. Filling and warm and I didn't have to travel for it. I am not sitting with the others just so I can take advantage of my free time....for once. This is the first real chance I have had to write an email and be alone without falling asleep. Last night I did laundry and found out I wish that I had taken an empty apartment on the top floor instead of where the Specialist put me. If I had known the layout, I would have jumped on the 2nd floor offer in a heartbeat. Ah well. Yes, I could move, but I have so much stuff to have to worry about, it is almost not worth it.

Although, if I had been on the second floor I never would have seen my visitor (who is now a regular morning plus). There is a deer who comes to graze and nose around each day. Last night she was wandering close by, and this a.m. standing next to the car when I came around the corner of the building. The first morning I woke up to a thumping on the door, only to find her there when I opened the door to inspect the commotion. It startled each of us, and she scampered off about 40 feet, and then turned to snort at me and flip her tail furiously. I simply laughed and spoke to her, then she trotted off. This morning I passed 4 large turkeys on the way to COB FOB, too. Quite a collection of critters.

Does the company feed me? Yes, finally, but only two meals worth in a day. I was told to save my receipts for reimbursement and we would get further word about how to proceed. Then, two days ago I was handed $195 in cash to cover the 6th through the 10th - which came out to $39 per day. So, yea! It actually covered my meals and then some (including my gas to get here). Since I am considered a "local hire," I am not covered for travel, so the $195 was a blessing - more than anticipated. From here on out, we will be fed a hot morning meal (provided you get to the hotel and present your day chit before 7:30am). For me it's a 6 mile drive (one way), so not too bad. Just need to adjust my wake-up time to allow for travel.

My dinner will be up to me - except for tonight - but meals are not an issue.

My bunking/billet: Yes, as comfy as can be for what it is. No bed bugs, no fleas, and the Specialist told the housekeeper to clean it once more for spiders, etc before I unpacked. The housekeeper is efficient, but not the tidiest. She is on time with the clean towels (I brought one from home), but the little things are up to me. Again, no big deal there. I do have a microwave, which is almost bigger than the frig, but they work, and that's what matters. I am content with a salad for dinner, or a bowl of cereal and some crackers and PB. Picked up fruit and veggies at a little produce store, so I snack that way. I turned the frig up too low at first and froze my gallon of milk the first day. Had to thaw it out before I could use it! Still have floating milkbergs in the container, though.!

The room is plenty warm enough, and have only closed the windows one night since I arrived. There is a thermostat, should I need it, but so far the weather has been lovely. You can tell the MI people from the rest by shirt sleeves and jackets versus not. Lots of jokes about the weather, the sunrises and sunsets, etc. It is a good bunch of mooyaks, and most of them have worked on other training events together, so they are all friendly and familiar to each other.

I get what you are saying about the $, and I understand the desire for the OT at the hospital. Not written in stone that those folks who glommed it at won't decide down the road they would rather have it off, thus leaving it available for you. You never know.

Glad to read you are having lovely critter visits, too. I think even Karl has begun watching the comings and goings at home from his bedroom window. Mostly the birds, but he saw a racoon on the back patio the day before I left, and I missed it. Have been told there is a bear in 'village 6' hear, which is not close to me, but leaves us all a little wary and a lot more cautious about the kits and supplies, etc.

Love you, and will write more later,

me

What's it all about, Alfie?

Days are ticking by, and over the last week I have finally begun to receive more than just work to do - meaning: I have finally been sent my deal memo and all of the many other forms necessary to sign when joining a production.  Except, with this being a production for the armed services [read: government], there is a mountain of work behind the usual non-compete form and deal memo, behind the right to work form and tax form, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera  (as Yul Brenner would have intoned).

I am nearly ready to go.  My goods are mostly assembled, and all of my laundry is done, save for the bits I brought with me to Gram's.  I am mentally ready (nearly enough, I suppose), and despite the fact I am leaving with heavy concerns surrounding the boys and things that need doing, I am excited and eager.

My reservations and eagerness are equally matched at this point, and I am anxious over things at home that are in need of immediate attention...but now I have to focus all of my attention forward to my time in Grayling.

Currently, I am at Gram's, working on the last couple of days on my calendar.  An aunt phoned from St. Helen this afternoon to say she saw the casting "article" for the production I am working with in her local paper.  So, if she spotted it, then there are many more folks in MI who are excited, curious and wanting to get busy with this.  It could be a zoo on the 9th, or it might be a bust - we shall see.

There is still the matter of the car issue for Brian, but I can't focus on that right now.  

My biggest regret is how little time and attention is left to concentrate on Karl's birthday after all is said and done.   He turns 20 in just a couple of days, and I won't be able to make it special in any way, shape or form for him.  

For now, I am concentrating on tying up loose ends - as well as I can from a remote location - and preparing myself for the last several hours I will have at home once I am relieved at Grandma's on Sunday.  It will be a sprint to the finish line, and then sleep (perhaps), and then 230+ miles to work and my next six weeks or so.

I feel like Gulliver, Alfie...what's it all about?

Resume day

I spent the better part of yesterday online sending out resumes and cover letters (all electronic, of course), and received one fairly instantaneous reply. A good thing, no?

After an exchange of roughly 7 emails, I was called a number of hours later by the casting director for a project here in MI. I was buoyed, but apprehensive, as there are a number of caveats with this project.

The first (most notable) is that it isn't a film production, although it is being run by an Oscar winning editor and an award winning casting dir./producer.

The hours would be very long - 14 hours per day (4a.m. to 6p.m.) - every day! That means Sunday through Saturday for the duration of the project. "When?" you ask. Well, let me tell you. From July 12th through August 11th.

Now, there are a few light days - in the beginning - that will only be 'business hour long', but that will end on the 12th of July, when the project gets off the ground and the real "action" begins.

My first three days will be *July 9, *10 and *11, and will be pre-production work in casting, after that, I have the option to continue with the production and become a site PA - doing the grunt work.

Does not bother me. Bring it on!

Days *one, *two and *three pay $125 a day...so, all good. I will have to pay for my own room, however, so 'take home pay' not so good.

[See? For every good thing there is a minor drawback.]

Every day thereafter pays $150/day, including two meals, BUT there are no days off and the call time every day is 4a.m., and the end of my day would be roughly 6p.m.

The elements will be what they are - meaning I will be out in the sun, rain, mosquitoes, heat, cold, whatever, all the time - and shepherding the crowds of approximately 200 folks all day, every day! These things I can handle, even the grunt work portion...toting water, garbage, toilet paper (unused), and - I understand - picking up cigarette butts. [Repugnant thought, I must say with all honesty] The hard work doesn't bother me...it's exercise!

The cigarette butts thing is a little off-putting, though. I call it like I see it.

Pro/con.

Give/take.

Yea/nay.

I mean, it's six of one, half-dozen of the other. To be or not to be. You get where I'm goin'? Ya dig? Do you feel me?

Truly, the worst thoughts I have are of the boys being here alone for that month. I have been asked twice now to please consider remaining on as one of two PA's after the pre-prod work is done - really a cool thing to be asked by these folks. The biggest drawback is leaving the kids to their own devices for a month. Karl has class every Monday until mid-August, and I am his note taker/proctor. I am frightened by what may come of his chance to complete this course and do as well as he is able with Brian subbing for me. Will they be able to step up and work well together for the sake of the class and harmony at home, or would there be nothing but issues? I can't say for certain.

Will the grass get mowed, the trash taken out, the catbox cleaned DAILY and the cats fed without arguements? Dishes pile up and smells will take over, I fear.

The one giant piece standing in my way for the second portion - the longest stretch - is the whole where-to-stay issue. I would love to do this gig, as I can use the money and the possible networking opps (as well as the resume component), but I have to have a place to stay before I can accept the job.

So....... [trailing uncertainty]

I have already phoned the person working with the producer to give that much of an answer, and I am waiting to hear if they have a connection for me to call and look into for the chance of staying on base (as that was something mentioned in an email). At this time, however, I am treading water.

Stay tuned and I will keep you posted.

[Sadly, that was the only bite I had for all of the email I sent out this week - just thought you'd like to know.]

Oh, and I did have a bright bit of news regarding the camera position I had won right before the surgery - I finally got an answer from the producer (Brian K) as to whether I was still in the running because of the unfortunate timing et.al. He texted: "We are still counting on you being on the proj, and eager to have you work with us. Will be in touch soon, have been busy with editing." So you can see where accepting this other bit of work might throw a monkey wrench in things should work ever truly commence. ;^)

Welcome back!

Well, that last entry seemed all over the place, didn't it? Today, Karl is feeling much improved (thank you for asking), and while he missed his Java class yesterday, he is still working at making up the missing assignments from before. Now, he will have to do a lot of work just to make up for yesterday, too.

As the boys have gotten older, I am surprised at how mom-like I still become when they are sick, and how much they want to be a little less coddled through it all. Brian is the hardest to watch. He fights throwing up, and Karl just rides the wave and makes it look easy. Brian requires a little more attention and TLC, and Karl just 'hangs ten', only really asking for something when he feels a need.

Change is good, right? Change is growth. Change is scary.

Changing subjects...sort of.

So, yesterday was spent cleaning, watching Karl, cleaning, moving stuff, checking in on Karl, editing photographs in preparation for the family project I want to get done for Gram's birthday, keeping after AT&T about our internet access troubles, and helping Karl get his PC into his room (and a desk to put it on, and the wiring, etc). Turns out the idiot electricians didn't connect Karl's lines to the network for the rest of the house - how do they do (or NOT do) that?!?!!! [Insert extreme amount of expletives here] I am not surprised, but I am not happy, and there is no recourse after all of this time. To be able to get Karl access, we will have to invest in a wireless set-up for him. Jeez!

This is just one of the projects for today. I will also keep working on cutting the original scans into usable individual photos for the edit. [Insert Boris Karloff-inspired scream here] Last night, when I called it quits for the day, I had amassed just under one hundred individual pics from the mass of gang scans - but I finished 2 of 24 files - so YEA me! This is going to be time-consuming, but I truly believe I would have killed the scanner if I had scanned each photo individually for storage/use. Anyway, it keeps me going with something to work on besides just skimming for job postings and sending out resumes and feelers. This is giving me some sense of accomplishment, and once I order the Adobe tool I need, I will be in business. Baby steps, baby.

Monday, I will be meeting with Andrew (director/producer) and Brian K (producer/whatever) to discuss first shoot schedule and shot ideas for the TV pilot, and hopefully have real work within the week! They are using a legit post prod house in the D for the editing, so this looks like it stands a chance. Wahoo!

Next week will also be the last week for the BQT production for the year. No more sound tech unless I get a boom gig on a production. I will be keeping you up to date.

Karl is on the far left, next to Owen Benjamin!

As for the movie - All's Faire In Love - the release time is now slated for fall. Can't give the exact date (I promised), but it is looking like a movie! Have been working remotely tracking down and providing names to the producers and Scott Marshall (the director) since the early part of the month, but it looks like they are through with those requests, and I am putting away the papers and files (AGAIN) I collected throughout the production, just to get the mess out of the house. Apparently the casting bimbo I worked with has been remiss in passing on the info I was giving her, and the Executive Producer's assistant suggested to the CA crew that I could fill in the holes, since I was with the extras and BG all the time and handled all of the skins (except for two days worth). Cynthia (afore named bimbo) has yet to work with them and is not fulfilling her duties as a producer, it seems. Also, she has been removing my name from the IMDB listing every time I place it out there. What a dweeb!

That's OK, she can't remove it from the film credits! HA! I am sort of flattered she seems threatened by sharing the billing...she is a back-stabber and a throw-someone-under-the-bus-sort-of-person. I learned a lot working with her - mostly how to watch your back and be prepared. That industry is harsh!

Anywho...I am going to get moving, the day is getting away from me, and I have a lot to do.

Before I go, let me just say "Hello, Evelyn"...I didn't see you slip in the door. I have a registered reader - holy cow! Psst! Mostly it's just sheepish friends and relatives who read my missives in darkened rooms. You are a brave soul to come out and admit it! ;^) Thanks for the interest, and I hope I make it worth your while! You will find my glass is almost always half full - and if I could find the doggone bottle, I will fill the sucker! Glad to have you riding the magic carpet with us once in a while.

OK everyone, play nice and be happy.

Day 23 of 24

Yup...the DOOD has turned the page on my last day on set with the film.

I have been "working in film", the cheap way for a production company to get more on-screen people without paying the cost. However, it has allowed me to stay working for the last several days...and my mug will be in the film - depending upon how it is edited.

At any rate, it has been a great experience, and an eye opener! Still, all-in-all, I would like to work on another picture if given the opportunity.

Stay tuned and stay happy, and we'll see you in the movies.

Day 23 of 24

Oh my gosh, can it really almost be over?

Pre-production seemed to take so long to finish before getting to the meat of the thing, and now that there are only two days to go in production, I feel incredibly sad that the hullaballoo will be over in the blink of an eye.

Once I get some sleep, I will fill you all in.

Thanks for your patience, and your questions...I will be in touch VERY soon.

Goals for 2009

Rather....A goal for 2009.

Since I missed my opportunity this year to create a post at 8:08 (a.m. OR p.m.), I am going to make certain I do it in 2009.

Yesterday was day #2 as a casting director, and man...it is everything I thought it would be, and I am certain that there is more. Once this bit is over (the how-would-you-like-to-be-in-a-movie search), come this Thursday, we will begin having people read, and that will take this into a whole other realm of wackiness.

Holy cow-a-roo!

I am having fun, though, so no complaints. More later. For now I have to get in the car and head north to the fair for the start of a whole new day of "hi there".

Peas out. (Yes, that was supposed to be funny...I know I typed "peas".)

:^) :^P

Who's Ass Do You Have to Kiss? AKA: "OK...so miracles do happen!"

Holy cow! I finally have confirmation and a "report to" for my second production!

In case you haven't heard: for the last 3+ months, I have been working at the Michigan Renaissance Fair offices in the marketing department. It's been...well...it's been a nightmare. I took the VERY low-paying "internship" (yes, they called it an internship to get out from having to explain the poor wages) as a way to at least get some money coming in once the unemployment wages ceased to exist. Also, I had thought that the internship moniker would help on my resume - although I do not wish to be in marketing or sales! Yeesh!

Although, it turns out the owner is simply a cheap little b*stard who doesn't pay much more than $8.50 per hour to anyone he doesn't have to - and that's pretty well everyone in the offices and grounds crew...and on and on.

I have continued to look for work, to go on spartan interviews (those are tough to get around MI any more), and conduct phone interviews - when you can get them at a decent time of day (where it doesn't interfere with the darned hours of the poopy job). It has been nerve wracking, and that's putting it mildly.

I have also taken a VERY part time position as a studio assistant for a community access cable channel in Oxford. It pays even less than the "internship" [picture me making HUGE air quotes there] - minimum wage, in fact - and you cannot work any more than 20 hours in a week! LOL

My work is superior in several ways to what it is they are used to. My big problem is that I can't stop doing my particular brand of work and dumb it down to their standards...I just can't And I am getting a talking to shortly about it. LOL I know I should give them the value of their $7.40 pay...but it's my work and name which is being viewed. What should I do?

ANYwho......

Getting back to the great part: I have been hired to work as the assistant casting person on "Ye Olde Times", being shot at the Renaissance Festival in Holly! I accosted the producer (one of them) as he was exiting the building on Tuesday, and he smiled and said bye as he passed. I smiled, excused myself to the caller on the other end of the phone, put my phone down and asked: "Who's ass do I have to kiss to get a job?"

He laughed, then asked if no one had gotten in touch since we had first spoken. I told him no and that I had contacted everyone laid in my path...but no use.

Scott turned to his assistant and said, "Go find Cynthia - we have her aide. And get Beth's contact info again." Scott went out the door - poof! And his asst stuck by my side til Cynthia stopped at my desk.

Voila!

I know my mom would be cringing, but it worked. My crass question was well met, and I am now working for the production! YEA!!

The pay is far better than I have made recently, but I do have to reserve some to pay taxes at the end of the year.

With these types of jobs, everything is done with 1099's. Get used to it!

The hours will be uproarious...but I am gaining knowledge, insight, credit for my resume and possible avenues into other productions. Better than a stick in the eye! Plus, people in the loop are gonna see my work and come to know me...what better references could I hope to get?

I am totally geeked.

Of course, I still need to continue looking for work in the mundane world, too. Something to fill the coffures as the production work for this movie is only 4 - 5 weeks of pay, maybe 6...but definitely not going to last. I must always think like the ant and not the grasshopper.

So, be happy for me, and think good thoughts. I still need a job (or to win the lottery). Or, to marry a sugar daddy...hmmmm.

Please write and let me know how your worlds and stars are colliding out there. Miss you. Be happy.