Can't believe I "ate" the whole thing

It's been a little more than three weeks on this project, but it ended last night with a cold October bang. And where it looked like I was going to get paid for this gig (I was told I would be paid, at least for the last week), I think I may have been lied to in order to get me to cross the line to the camera side - which meant hosing over the gentleman who brought me onboard the project.

Typical production behavior.

In the meanwhile I have been stuck receiving calls from a lot of people regarding a myriad list of issues; most especially from the gentleman who leased us his 36' 5th wheel as a honey wagon. Sorry to say this whole experience will most likely sour him on leasing it to a film crew again. I have left notes and calls to the two who should be in charge of getting Dan (trailer man) onto the grounds in order to retrieve his trailer, but he continues to ring my phone, which has no minutes left on it. My next step will be to send him Mike's number should the calls continue to Monday.

Yes, that's right, for the first time, I am over on my minutes; and that's something else I need to address with Mike (the producer).

As I prepared to depart the major location Friday evening, I left notes and cleaned the catering area (AKA "crafty") to an impeccable state, but drew the line at the trailer. It was horrendous!

As soon as filming wrapped, and the stream of actors, singers, musicians, factory workers, production staff, camera, sound and misc others decended upon crafty for dinner, the above the line folks dove into the honey wagon and trashed it. They popped corks and drank, then left for the reception at another location on the grounds.

When I entered the cabin, the smell of alcohol was so strong, I had to step back. Empty bottles and cans were everywhere, and cups and wardrobe were strewn all about. People's jackets and backpacks, muddy footprints and general trash was just too much. The formerly clean interior was now a horror story, and I wasn't playing the hero in this one. Although, I did take the pile of thoughtlessly abandoned walkies and ear pieces to the lone girl in charge of collecting them. She, like myself, was left wondering "what the h*ll" as we stood alone in our respective territories.

Once the hord in crafty turned into a trickle for me, I began in earnest to clean the catering tents, and when the last person wandered in looking for a meal, I apologized for the food offerings - which were no longer steaming (the sternos had burned out long before) - and for the lackluster selection. You can only feed so many people when provided with a limited amount of prepared food.

I spent my time going back and forth between the catering tent and the trailer, grabbing my items and loading them into my car, and chasing after refuse and emptying carelessly full cans of pop and bottles of water before tossing them into the correct receptacles.

The night was soggy and cold and terribly windy, and I didn't see any merit in hanging about any longer than necessary, especially since I had done my duty, and I was now working into my 14th hour that day. I sent a text to Mike asking about the time to show up Sunday (since the catering driver told me that food had been ordered for breakfast and lunch), and received a text in return saying 'don't show up.'

"Call me so I can thank you" was the last thing sent...and I jumped into my vehicle and pointed the nose of my car toward home.

Since then there has been no word about payment for my time in production. That has been a bitter mouthful to swallow.

Decisions, decisions

One big decision has been made; I am no longer going back to Livonia for the duties I performed there.

I have a small gig for the month of May on an indie short in Detroit (so, no pay and unrealistic expectations, without thought on their part of compensation for drive time or gas expenditures). Small crews of "dedicated-to-the-art" people think that you should be as motivated and psyched about their production as they are, and under better/normal/full production scope conditions, I might be more geeked and invested. But coming in to the fold so late in the game, and being relegated to office PA makes it tough. My interest on this project is in the connections alone, and in the chance to load one more line onto my working credits and on my resume.

Sad but true.

The production? The Wars of Other Men.

I received the infamous last minute email requesting my help on the project about a week ago, and with little notice, was expected there only nine hours later. I wasn't even looking at my PC the evening the email showed up (after 12:30 am), so to expect I would be there as soon as instructed was not going to happen. Um, how about a phone call?

I have been told that I would get a chance to boom op during the production, since there is a strong chance their current operator might flake some days. Always a cool thing, those flakeys. So, I will sit in the prod office chair - manning the phones and troubleshooting - and wait for the call to deploy and boom op!

It could happen.

Changes

Well, I have had a busy week, and not that I am not used to keeping busy, but the sources of my work and activities came from so many different directions and requirements that I had a hard mental time keeping up and not fretting about other things that didn't get touched.

Hopefully those untouched items won't bite me too hard on the rear end.Last night and today are the first times I have even gotten online since last week!  I wasn't even on the PC over the last 2.5 days, let alone looking at email or anything else - hello you FB people.

I am suddenly involved in an indie production happening in the D, after not having any contact from the producer in weeks and weeks.  As is the case, 'they' want your time and soul committed 100% to their cause immediately, and at the last moment - without warning.  My only real complaints are the distance to drive (in Brian's car - inconveniencing him) and the lack of pay - AGAIN!!  I am screwing up my nerve to broach the topic of compensation for the mileage.  Currently, I am required there a couple of times per week, but once preproduction is over and production begins (in two weeks) I will be the office PA (required to be there every day of production to answer phones and troubleshoot from homebase), and the two kids (who have been given the chance to kiss butt since February) will be set PAs.

I know putting your time in and networking and getting to know and be known is key, but geez!  How about a little thought on the production company's part towards my expending my capital and 'volunteering' my time for their glorification.  I am unemployed, and not a Rockafeller...I cannot support them in that fashion without feeling it in the end.  Something has to give and I would prefer it if it weren't my doggone overstretched budget!

Hello!!!!!  I am barely treading water as it is, and sometimes breaking the surface for a gasp of air to make the bills is a struggle without adding the expense of 'helping' local productions by using my dimes and nickels.

This is not the first time, and it most likely won't be the last time; and I wouldn't mind so much if I had some cushion in the bank or a way to supplement mom's $ help while doing these poor indies.  But really, can't somebody above the line understand "supporting the arts" is all fine and good, but if it means I am paying to work for you - you can start taking my name off of your contact list.

I know, I know.  Sour grapes.

Plus, I haven't had any time to sit and work on my reel (or any other projects of my own) in I don't know how long.  Being stationary (not going back to Livonia) should help, but now with this production ramping up, I am most likely still not going to be here enough to make any strides.

I planted seeds for the flower beds about 10 days ago...maybe more, and still no signs of any little sprouts, yet.  I need to plant the next two trays just to get that chore over with, and then make my way out to the yard to begin doing what is necessary to get rid of weeds and prepare the beds for the plants once they do sprout and grow to a good transplantable size.  Also, we are excited about planting veggies and herbs, again.

Keeping the kids on task is hard to do remotely.  Keeping them motivated is impossible whether I am here or there (wherever that may be).  Because they have dragged their feet about registering for summer classes, my fear about whether they will be able to take anything (now that I am bitching about it in their ears) is probably going to be a reality.  One more semester lost to apathy and lack of motivation.

Please, Lord, something has got to change.  I am ready to receive your blessings.  Thank you.

News

For those of you wondering 'why hasn't she written anything in two weeks?', well, let me fill you in.

I began two entries while at Gram's, but never got around to finishing them - so many intermitant interruptions in being there that sometimes I get derailed and never go back to finish the thoughts and post the entry.

You will find two of those entries at the end of October, should you care to back up and read them. They aren't long and may even be fun to catch up on. Otherwise...

November crept in and I watched in horror as realization of another lost year was a meer 60 days away.

It's been a somewhat busy handful of days, and while I certainly have had time to write, my desire just isn't 'there'.

Karl had his wisdom teeth extracted on the 5th, and that was a day - let me tell you. On that same day the taping for Bible Quiz Time started up for the new season, and I am once again sitting in the Sound Engineering seat. Third year!

I had to be in Dearborn (by 8:00am, I thought, as we have always been), only to find everybody else far behind timewise. That's OK, I used the time well.

Sweetly, Brian agreed to drive Karl south to meet me at Ford Road and Telegraph by 12:15pm so that I could take him to Detroit's St. John Hospital Center of Dentistry for the surgery. Since you shouldn't have anything to eat or drink at least six hours prior to anesthesia, I had to get Karl up for a bowl of hot cereal and milk before jumping in the car to head to Dearborn. That all happened around 6am.

I know, right!

The hand-off went well, and both Karl and I were starving on the drive to Detroit. He was nervous but did a great job all around. On the drive home he said he was thirsty and ravenous, so we opted for a malt from Big Boy to make things better. His incredibly numb tongue almost tasted the flavor, but the cold liquid was a gift, and it took his mind off of some of the happenings (at least for a little while).

On the way home I called around to find an inexpensive way to buy the antibiotic and pain meds prescribed for the boy, and it wasn't until I got home and was in panic mode that I called the little family pharmacy I used to frequent when I had a job and insurance, and found they were only asking for a FRACTION of the cost of the antibiotic! Go figure.

Fast forward: Karl is doing splendidly; eating soft foods has morphed into soft homemade chicken fingers, salmon patties and spaghetti with meatballs. Most of his discomfort has been on the lefthand side where the dentist said one of the teeth was a little more trouble than the others, and they ended up putting a couple stitches in to keep things closed. Laughing and smiling are now his biggest pains, for the most part, but I think he is keeping his teeth clean and rinsing enough, so we may have passed the roughest part without incident and infection. He has roughly four days left of the antibiotic, and we go back to St. Johns for a final appointment/check-up on Friday.

Thanks for caring and for your good thoughts and prayers.

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

A bit o' good news

As you know, I have been totally out of commission for the last two months, missing out on two worthwhile projects because of Harvey (and the surgery to bid Harvey adieu).

Just after coming home from the hospital, I received a call from the art department folks of "Stone", and I was in! Waaahhhhh!!!!

I could barely sit up straight, let alone move anything...so I had to turn it down!

Aaaagh!! $*@#$!%&!!!

I could have worked on another major film - and this time with Edward Norton and Robert Deniro! Thank you, Connie, for throwing my name in their path. And, of course, the camera gig with the travelogue series began without me, but now they are in a stall mode for the time being. Yes, I know they said they still want me on board - and I am very pleased - but I still need to work until/before that takes off. So...

I am right back to square one, and there are a lot of square ones out here, believe me.

Which brings me to the good news.

I know, right!?

In an earlier June entry I mentioned that I sent out a pretty good bunch of covers and resumes one morning, and elicited a pretty quick response in one case. Well, that turned into the casting 3 day assignment; then came the offer to (the query about) remain(-ing) with the production beyond pre-prod as a PA. Yea! That bright spot would be accompanied a pay bump, so even yea-er!!

Since my last entry about this new job, I have been contacted by the producer and the project director to ask if I would like to move into an office position for the run of the production (this because of the meager amount of corporate info I provided on my production resume). Since I seemed a great fit for a newly available position, I was offered this spot.

Even yea-er still! This newest gem provided a better pay rate, with the remaining caveate of finding a place to bunk.

Of course with this tightly budgeted production, the low point of finding and paying for my own place to stay was the drawback (but there are always pluses and minuses with this sort of work).

Every production varies widely (and wildly) in how they work as far as hiring, pay (or not) and amenities provided, etc, etc. But, I am resourceful and have scrounged a place to stay for the first (nearly) two weeks. If anyone has a friend or relative in the immediate Camp Grayling military post area, and would allow me to sleep, bath and roost for the time frame from July 17th through the 11th of August, I could manage to pay a small stipend for the trouble and insanity. Please have them respond to me here with a comment, or contact me through FaceBook (bethisnutz). THANKS!

OK, so now you know the good news (at least, the latest news). The time frame for getting ready to hit the road is tighter than a pair of jeans fresh outta the wash. Couple that with 'Grandma duty' just prior to departure, and ho boy!

Keep your fingers crossed and those good thoughts heading skyward, I can use the good vibes.

Love to all, and happy trails!

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. ;^)

Movie link is working again

If you tried that link to watch the movie trailer, and ran into a very strange message about the link being "bad", please try this one:

http://patriotpictures.com/

Remember to click on the All's Faire in Love photo at the top of that page (on the right) to watch the video!

So bored

Recuperating may be a necessary evil, but rats! I want to take a walk. I need to take a walk!

I am Bill Bixby and my eyes are turning green! Psst - and Lou Ferrigno is waiting over there in the corner.

The girls are hovering, whether I am lying down, reclining on the sofa, shuffling to the bathroom, taking a quick trip to the kitchen for another glass of water or juice or milk...they are my entourage. The boys are super. Brian took Karl on a few errands earlier in the week, and Karl got a nice haircut (for a change), and from what I could tell they didn't squabble. At least, neither of them was calling the other one names once they returned home! Always a good thing.

Now, if their respective cats could keep from fighting, this would be Camelot. Actually, Cleo and Flop are constantly up for a game of 'tease and chase me,' lately. Most of the time, it is Flop inciting a game of tag - which is odd for her, but it is fun to watch, and they don't knock anything over (or, haven't thus far). Hobbes simply watches (if she isn't napping), and sometimes jumps in as referee when Flop becomes too hyper.

I have had the laptop with me in the lower level working on editing photos for my family production piece, and Karl has been using the Monster to get back into Maya while I am away from the library. Although, he has been also jumping onto the internet using the beast - a HUGE no-no. Then, when he is back in his room later on, it turns out he is up to all hours playing games! Argh!

Brian tries, but it really isn't his job to police his younger brother. I do think it will change once the new class begins for him this coming Monday. Karl will be in class from 6 to 9pm, and so will have other things to concentrate on - hopefully. Lately, I am completely disenchanted with OCC as a "learning institution". The money-grubbing butt heads! But this is about the only place we can afford to send Karl for the time being while he practices college skills and tries to become more independent and self-motivating. This has been a long process, and will continue to be so. Brian, on the other hand, is still resisting change, and forward momentum. He did finish the math class (or so he says), and he hasn't signed up for anything else to go towards the AA. There is no way of knowing where he is with that, although GOOD NEWS!...he did sign up for an illustration class (Graphic Novel Illustration) through CCS (Detroit commute! :^O ). It is only 6 or 7 weeks long - one day a week - but it is something. No, there will be no credits earned, but maybe this will be impetus to keep him moving in [any] direction. Also, hoping he will make new friends, contacts, networking skills and inroads. I will keep you posted on the outcomes of each of their summer efforts, Brian and Karl.

Received a call from a gal associated with the new Robert Deniro/Edward Norton film project... they wanted an office person in their art department two days after I came home from the hospital! I told her about my recent surgery and asked if I could join them in a couple of weeks, and she said she would "get back with [me]." That is always a "no". Ah well. [heavy sigh] There will be other opportunities, I just need to keep thinking that and saying it out loud.

That was a bit of a "too bad", though. I have to admit to being disappointed in the timing.

As I sit here at my desk I can see the 'little helicopters' on the maple tree out front, dangling in little bundles, ready to clog my eaves and litter the lawn. Some of them are greedily eyeing my flower bed, too, and I have so many things to clean out of there from last year, yet.! Waahhh!

So, until next time, I am going to cheese on outta here and take a shower. I am not too winded, yet, but I really overdid it a number of times early on and paid a price (but I also learned a lesson). So, easy does it!

Boredom, here I come. Keep in touch and let me know what the news is from your end of the bog.

In like a lamb

Sunny but cold today. So very cold. Bitterly cold, in fact, but I believe I can see the light at the end of this tunnel.

There's a promise from the weatherpeople that things will improve for the end/rest of the week - but possibly dip again over the weekend. Hey, as long as it doesn't dip lower than the upper thirties, I will be a happy camper. ;^)

Happy, happy, happy.

We have moved (or seem to be moving) in a very positive direction in the weather outlook. Soon we will be able to get outside and fertilize and put down weed inhibitor. Then, the mowing will commence. Opening windows and airing out the winter air and doldrums will be on the schedule, too. Gardening and watching things grow (or hanging in a hammock) will be high on the list. Maybe even attempting to grill a meal outdoors early on.

Who knows!

The production update: I went to work (day number 2) on the InZer0: Fragile Wings project on Monday, and there was a lot of little stuff - busy work - to do. Some important bits, but by-and-large they are looking for an office person to help get things tidied up. As the weather gets warmer and allows for the pick-up shots to be filmed, I will be in on that...and what a cool thing to add to the credits! But for now, it is pretty much the same old industry standard: 'hurry up and wait'...no getting around it.

I was supposed to get started on Friday, but the producer remembered she had something else going on and couldn't finnagle the Friday date, so it was put off until this week. I spent the afternoon sending out rejection notes (there's got to be a better name for those), assembling scripts, updating a large spreadsheet, etc. It was OK, about what I expected, and the drive was the worst part about it.

This is going to be a rough beginning as I have had plans on the books for Friday, March 13, to help Sacred Heart with its yearly talent show - doing...what else? Sound tech and floor coordination. So I won't be able to be at the production office for much of what would be my shift, and the time is shortened for this coming Friday as there were other plans on Connie's calendar for the early part of the afternoon.

It's like a teeter-totter some days.

I continue to look for full time employment, and shuttling the boys back and forth to school, tutoring, work...

My spring cleaning began in spurts about a month ago, and now that we have trash pick-up on Fridays, it's been fun seeing how many bags I can amass (limit is 12). I've made a lot of head-way, and gotten things out of boxes and onto shelves, or just plain out to the street, etc. I even began sorting all of the photographs of the boys into appropriate categories and storing them properly. I will finish fixing (then painting) the divits in the walls and the corner of the alcove in the library, and I have plans to finish installing the needed shelves inside the alcove to finish the workspace and put the PC equipment and how-to books away!

Busy, busy, busy.

The hard part is not getting sidetracked. Argh!

The wisteria I transplanted last month has taken off with a vengence, and was doing well until the girls discovered it was chewable. I now have to guard it until I can get it outside! :^) Cleo is the most enamoured of the poor plant, and she will constantly try to sneak bites out of it if I do not pay attention. The leggy plant has overgrown its support and I fear giving it anything else to cling to (lean on). The more 'familiar' it becomes with something other than the post and guy wires that are in place for it to grow on for the next 30 years, means a possibility of damage when I try to unwrap it and move it to its permanent home.

Another 20 degrees and I can think about taking the lovely plant outdoors and getting it in the ground.

Come on, little lamb, stick around, please. And bring some friends!

And on it goes

There is a production going on in Detroit called InZer0, and it has been filming (and in post prod) over the last year and one half (at least). Due to many contemporary issues (i.e.; mostly the economy), portions of the episodes have become a movie...sort of a premiere episode to set up the series.

I have - in the past - seen a small portion of an episode or two, and the production value looks good. The story is sound and driven, and I was hopeful for the production to soar, as I am certain were all those actually connected with it. They have good reason to be excited, and it would be a tremendous feather in the cap of the D.

Getting on with it...

The CraigsList ad I responded to recently was for this production, and when I was invited to be a part of the auditioning group for the VO roles, I was happy.

Oddly enough, as luck would have it, in a follow-up email I was asked if I would be interested in helping out in the casting of the VO's as a PA this past Sunday...however, by the time I got back to reading my email (an entire day later) to see this cool offer, the deadline for getting in touch and saying "yes...yes...YES!" was already gone.

Ah well. From now on I will not take a whole day off of sitting at the keyboard without at least checking in once in a while.

I took a chance and called the number anyway just to say thanks for the offer, and to ask if the spot still existed, and to say I would love to help out in that way. Of course the PA role was already filled, but she thanked me for getting back in touch.

Around two hours later the phone rang, and it was the producer asking if I could be in Royal Oak in half an hour or less to help out - it turned out the person they had coming was delayed or simply not getting there at all!

Wahoo!

So I hot-footed it down there and spent the next 7+ hours handling the check-in, preparation, etc of the auditioners, and whatever else they asked me to do. I was also allowed to stay and watch the screening of the very rough cut of the film and newest footage with the backers and many of the main cast! By the end of the evening I was asked to join the crew and work in post production, AND I will have opportunities to work (crew) on other pick-up shots in the near future, as well as additional production value stuff!

Small but certain...slow and steady. Cool beans, right?

She said I have an impressive resume (which was really nice to hear), and that as well-rounded as it is I will be able to get more work.

Hey, it's another beginning, right?

My first day will be Friday (all of my days will be Fridays until the boys have other ride options to school and work and tutoring), but that's OK, cuz the gig is in Detroit...which is far enough to drive one day a week for a no/lo/deferred pay project. It's still a resume builder and networking opp, which is also a very big thing in this little film 'burb.

Hang ten and check back soon, and I will let you know what the 'job' entails. Hugs and a million smiles all 'round.

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.

So, I've made my decision

I am letting go of the Wolfman Mac experience. I can't continue to give as much time to that as they require. I really have no job to speak of...all things being equal, and the RenFest internship is more of a detriment than anything else. I need an income that will actually help to pay the bills and help to finish the house in the event I have to sell it.

Mark has been remarkably charitable in driving me down to the production, but they want Tuesdays and Thursdays, and suddenly they were asking for Sundays for make-up shoots and writer's meetings, and evenings to go to appearances...who really has that time and money!? Seriously, if I were less worried about the car breaking down and the cost of gas and the freaking mileage needed to get to WARREN and all points SOUTH, maybe I wouldn't have had to choose this option.

But in all seriousness - and this has all been serious - I have been making myself sick over the inevitable choice.

I missed half a day's pay (at a shitty $8 per hour before taxes) because the shoot didn't get done until nearly three a.m AGAIN. By the time we dropped off another production person south of the studio and headed back home, it was 3:40 am by the time I made it home! Other people live much closer to this production person's location, and Mark was schlepping her home!!?!???

Really?

Too much in-fighting and squabbling. Back-stabbing and effort wasted. When I would contribute a character or script idea, I was told there was already something like it. But then, something would go (inevitably awry) and I would be asked at the last minute to actually do the character, it was so very last minute, so nothing was prepared - costume-wise, prop needs, etc.

When I was asked to do something, it was usually requested when I was at work! I am watched, you know! Hellooooooooooooo. I have hours I have to adhere to, and when I am at work, I am supposed to be working! What do you do at work?

And when the she-demon would want something done, it always has a 4 hour turn-around time frame (or less). I need to get to sleep. I need to have time....and I do not have the equipment some of them do to work with. To write a commercial is not hard, but I need all of the information you can provide and that the customer wants given. To ask me to write something and get it back to you while I am getting paid to work at my job - during the work day - is wrong! And calling me to hound me and ask after the status DOES NOT HELP! You waited until the last minute, you have to give me time!!!! Damn it!

I wanted to fix the audio screwed up in production on a commercial, but of course, it wasn't something that could be fixed. Even though it wasn't a me thing, I still felt as though I had let Mac down.

I find very few of the people involved have had training with their equipment...they just have the money to be able to purchase the cameras and the sound gear, etc. But do they know how to use it? NO, they do not (for the most part)! Do they accept constructive comments or questions...NO, they DO NOT! Why wouldn't we use the good mic as a boom and mic Mac for the spots that way? Geez there is a lot a wasted time and energy there.

Does the show look as though it were shot by monkeys in the dark? Yes, a lot of the time, it does. White balance!! Doggone it.

Are there ego's in the way of turning out potentially great stuff? Oh yeah, baby!

Are they taking too much time getting dumb extra shots that won't be edited in....oh you better believe it! Hey! I know that on FILMS a lot of material is shot and never used. Or, shot, edited in, and then for time, taken out. BUT YOU ARE NOT A FILM or a big $ production! We are volunteering our time and sometimes money to make this run. Did Mark ever get repaid for the $40 bucks or better in McDonald's he contributed to one late night session? NO!

This stuff happened all of the time, and she knows who she is who needs to get her crap together.

Hey, Martin Scare-sezzi (no Mac, not you), it's a cheesey, late night, b-flick production. Three cameras shooting the SAME scenes (from essentially the same angle) are a waste of time, tape, money and effort. Not to mention, all of the extra people standing around IN THE WAY!

Too much indecision, too much last minute EVERYTHING, too much drama. Oh, and not for nothin', but when you finally decide to send a note asking for people to print their own copies of the script and bring them to the shoot (which some of us already did - you're welcome), I would think ATTACHING A COPY TO READ AND PRINT would have been a good idea. Oui!?

As John Lennon said: I just have to ----- let it go.

OK, time to cast a vote, give me some help, please

So, yesterday I had an interview, directly after taking a call from one of the producers of the little indy film I was to be working on. What a crunking mess!

I mean, what would you do?

Let me lay it out for you.

The indy "job" is sporadic AT BEST, but when I initially spoke with Fred (indy producer), it was going to be 3 SOLID weeks of work...mostly at night. Mind you, "solid weeks" are comprised of 6 days, Monday through Saturday, from 10 to 12 hours each day. So, I can do that. I was looking at the experience and the chance to say I worked on a real movie production as a PA in the Art Department. Cool, right?!?!

But now, Fred is saying I may work Monday the 19th, sewing draperies, and not actually on the sets. Doggone it! Still, it is credit.

Here's the rub...I had an interview with the marketing people for the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Much closer to home. MUCH! So... less gas expended. It is a definite M-F job - everyday, from 8:30am to 5pm. It starts right away, and runs longer than 3 weeks - all summer, in fact.

Of course, the pay is less. Well, is it really?

Hmmmm.... let's do the math.

At $8 per hour, multiplied by 8 hours per day, that's $64 a day - pre-tax. Taking out estimated taxes, I figure take-home pay about $256 per week x 4.3 weeks in a month = roughly $1100 to pay bills, get food, etc.

HOWEVER...if the production job did give me 2 full weeks of pay - no matter WHAT the hours...that would equal $900 bucks. Since they don't take out taxes (you get a 1099 at the end of the year - and you pay the tax amount, SS$, etc. to the gov't), it would be that amount in pocket right now as I need it.

Again, though, keep in mind, there is no confirmed schedule I can expect to work with the production. Fred even said I may not use you all six days of any one week. So, I may only work one day the week of the 19th, and that's it! $75 one time....and I burned up eight to ten dollars in gas! Not to mention, I still don't know if they intend to pay me for the day I was called down (and went) to the apartment set to paint.

Question marks all around.

I realize that this is the nature of the production beast. My difficulty is that I have responsibilities to deal with. A mortgage and bills and a family to care for financially. I need the exerience and the good street cred, but I also need to find a balance until I can do what it is I really want to do - AND THAT I AM GOOD AT!!!

What would YOU do? Right now, it appears there may be conflicts, and it's not good.

Anybody want to weigh in with an opinion? Thanks!

One week later...

...and it's May!

Still applying for jobs...still following up on letters of interest, researching known companies and sending, sending, sending out those resumes. Aaaarrgh!!!

The one true bright spot is that I did get a 3-week gig with a production company, which begins the 19th of May! By the same token - I got a 3-week gig which begins the 19th...what happens if fortune and God open "the door" and hand me a job which begins before the production thing ends?!?!

Wouldn't that be just exactly what you'd expect to happen? LOL

The job I landed is a PA role in the Art Department - set dec and props!! Very cool, I know! Good experience and a real movie production role, so I am psyched. The biggest trouble issue could be the hours - 10 to 12 hours per day/6 days a week...working from sundown to sunrise. LOL Three weeks ought to be enough to make a real mess out of my sleep cycle, oui?

I have told the kindly folks at Nightmare Sinema that I will be absent for a few weeks for writer's meetings and a few tapings, and they were alright with it.

Hhmmmm??..................

Oh! one neat thing...I was asked to do a voice over for a "World of Pole" commercial to air on the Nightmare Sinema. No, it didn't pay, but it is exposure...so I will take it and run. Run like a sea monkey. I will be heard and identifiable, so there! Listen for it, as it should air either the 17th or the 24th.

Between that, and the 'Mrs. M. Balmer' character on the show, I am having fun and gaining experience and valuable resume time. Oh, and the "M" stands for "Maude." Hey, it was either that or "Marigold." Some of the others love the nagging bitch ability, and it appears as though she may be on every once in a while.

Look at him...you'd nag, too. Ick!

Sunday the cast and crew spent the afternoon at the Ford-Wyoming Drive-In in Dearborn, filming a good portion of the new opening for the show. The premise is: Wolfman Mac comes to own an old drive-in next to a cemetery, so of course the theater has some ghostly issues...or, should I say 'monstrous' issues? If people only knew how much fun working with a bunch of stiffs can be. I even pitched a bit (an idea) for one of the zombies to try and get a "gumball" from a dispenser, which turned out to be an eyeball...which he chased across the floor.

12 members from Hearse Clubs across the area joined us for the afternoon, lending their beautiful autos to the production. It was a perfect day, and it seemed to go about as smoothly as you would expect for chaos.

Naaaaw, really, it was pretty well-run considering the scale of the project and the ground to cover, versus the size of the production team.

Enjoy the pictures that follow.

Last day of March...how d'ya like them apples?

Holy cow! Poof, just like that, March is over. Not "in like a lion and out like a lamb"...nor, 'in like a lamb and out like a lion.' It just blew in one wet, cold end, and chugged right out the other (just slightly warmer, is all).

In and out.

Wet, and wetter still.

It's ok though, the rain is necessary, and really...isn't it better than the freezing snow? I think getting stranded in the rain is preferable to becoming a human popsicle in one's car, right?

Weather chat aside, how's life moving along for everyone? It's 11:30 in the evening, and I am somehow too awake, yet, to climb into bed. I have just watched Slither for the second time, and found myself jumping at all the right moments; cringing when it was appropriate; covering my mouth so the slugs wouldn't get into the second female lead's mouth (you know how it works). C'mon, don't pretend that you don't 'swerve' in your chair to avoid getting hit by a car or to duck a punch, or to see around a corner when you watch a movie. Suspended disbelief, baby!

And yes, I know some of it (Slither) is super cheesy and somewhat lame in the SFX department, but by and large, even the bits of campy were clever and fit the tone of the movie.

They did a lot of laughing at themselves, which made the entire movie that much more entertaining (believability be damned).

Besides, watching Nathan Fillion's cute little facial expressions is totally worth the 120 minutes (oh, and yes, I stopped and rewound bits and pieces here and there - nyah).

"That's some f***ed up sh*t", dead-pans Bill Pardy.

Oh....do yourself a favor and watch it!

Tomorrow is the first meeting I will attend for the DWIFF, although many more volunteers have been at work on this puppy for over a year, now. I will meet my new PA 'boss', and a few other critical members of the team, and will get a task or 4 as well. The meeting will happen at Tech Town, and despite the fact that I will get another chance to be in a very cool place (and maybe get some stills of the area), I am dismayed by the distance and waste of gas. I will reserve judgement and bite my tongue until I see how everything moves, then I will either utter the other thought that is knocking around inside my skull, or it will go completely away. We shall see.

BOO! (made ya jump, right?)

If you're looking for my quilting photos & blog entries, they're now at: www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com

Holy cow! It was a Hollywood surprise moment...and then some!

For all of you Predator fans out there, here's one for you. Bill Duke (http://www.aoffest.com/pop-2.html) made a surprise stop to Specs this morning to speak to the Production Assistant Boot Camp attendees about PA work and film work in general. Two of my RTV-09-07 classmates were also at the class, and Maria got the biggest kick out of Mr. Duke's arrival. I truly think I saw her on Cloud 9 when she realized who it was she was looking at. Double takes became triple takes, and she was as cute as could be when it came time to shake hands and say a few words with him.

I was glad I had downloaded the training booklet, because I was able to take some great additional notes to add to it as Mark Adler spoke. There is so much opportunity 'in the field' that you learn from every new experience and meeting, and I am now more geeked than ever (who'd have thought that possible?) to get into something - anything! The start of the Bible Quiz Bowl gig is really right around the corner, and that will be a worthwhile (and fun) credit to add to my resume. Sunday I will attend the ITVS freebie on writing convincing grant proposal treatments. I should be able to use that information to solicit grant monies from other entities for indie works not strictly for PBS. I think the protocol will be pretty much the same, just different initials on the forms. But what a great way to learn. Many thanks to Grant for turning my attention to the industry copy that made it possible for me to attend the event! :^)

I did not get any clear photos of Mark A, as he is such a moving target. Needless to say, he was entertaining and informational, and pretty well followed the handbook (as downloaded from the website)... so READ IT...LEARN IT...START LIVING IT! But if you are truly itching to see a picture of Mark Adler, you can Google him with great success. He is a huge entity in the Michigan Film Industry, and a linch pin for anything remotely film-oriented.

Oh, and the other gentlemen attending as guest speakers included Jim Haggerty, Bob Binell, Darren Brown (a Specs grad), and Gary Pillon - a 30 year film industry veteran and pioneer. So, while I may have slaughtered their names, there were no slouches in attendance in the cheese-head selection. There was a lot of groovy information passed along, and I was very glad to have been a part of it all. I would like to take a moment to thank the powers that be at Specs for making these opportunities available to us (THANKS!), and to those people who volunteered their time on the early Saturday to set up the rooms and snacks, et.al. (THANKS!) I would have sat in the warm sunny parking lot for that event...but I am so glad we didn't have to. I truly have a better understanding, now, of PA work and expectations. But the Q&A and meet and greet with the additional personalities was priceless.