Well, dear readers, it was the best of times, it was the best of times. Even though the day was long, it was so much fun that I didn’t care how long the day was and the day was long, that much I can tell you. Well, let me say it another way: The day was long. I got up at seven in the morning, which is most uncivilized. I shaved and showered and then the web series helper arrived and we drove in her car over to Alet and Andy Taylor’s home environment. We set up all the equipment, which took the expected hour. Then we rehearsed the scene once and began shooting. As these things seem to be doing, it all went very quickly. We did a few takes of the master, then went in for their two close-ups, then we shot footage of Lucy and Ruby Taylor playing and saying their two lines. We wrapped forty-five minutes early. Alet told me that they’d recently done something like this for a first-time director and that it took three ten-hour days to get the same amount of material. I can’t even conceive of that. But I hadn’t done this in such a long time that I forgot how fast I like to move. Oh, I don’t move on until I know I have what I need to cut together an excellent and funny scene, but I just keep doing takes until I know that between them it’s all there. I don’t stop and belabor things with the actors or crew, I just say “Let’s go again,” maybe give a small comment if necessary, but just let the actors find their rhythm. It’s really fun if you allow it to be fun and everyone had a really good time.
We then headed back to my home environment. Gregory Harrison’s call wasn’t till one-thirty, so we took our time setting up, and I sent the helper to get a sandwich for the cameraman. It was a scorcher (can someone please let summer know that it’s quite over – I’d heard that The Summer Knows, but clearly that is not the case – the day before yesterday was in the triple digits and yesterday was in the high nineties), and very muggy. We shot on my backdoor patio so we could see the pool and attendant shrubbery. Normally it’s really quiet out there, but naturally as soon as we began to film, planes flew over every three minutes, sirens wailed all over the City of Studio, neighbors had a bee attack and had very loud bee killers yakking – it was almost comical. So, we had to stop and start more than I like, but we eventually got through it just fine. Gregory is such a pro and so good and really funny, and his gorgeous and talented daughter Lily played in the scene with him. As I’ve mentioned, I find having someone else in the scene is really helpful in terms of reactions and having lots of editing choices. We did each angle several times and wrapped thirty minutes ahead of schedule. I then answered a few e-mails, we dumped sound and video onto our mini-hard drive, and then it was almost time for rehearsal.
I was starving, so I decided to stop at Tom’s Burgers, which is just a block from where we were rehearsing. The last time I’d been there with the young person I used to go out with the food had been absolutely wretched – a shame, as Tom’s Burgers was always great up until then (Grant Geissman and I have been there many times). I hadn’t been back since then, but I’d noticed it said “new owners” so I stopped in and took a chance. I had my usual bacon cheeseburger and I’m happy to report it was completely yummilicious, so I can now safely go to Tom’s Burgers and have a meal every now and then.
Rehearsal was fun. We have a very good-looking and talented ensemble. We ran the two songs they’re involved in, and then our choreographer whipped up some quick steps for one number, and did positions and small stuff for the other. She’s really good and, like me, really fast. I stuck Melody in one of these, and I must say my instinct to do so was right on the money – she just perks the whole thing up and actually makes it not only perky, but fun and funny. I gave her four solo lines to sing, too.
Then I picked up some Xeroxed music and then drove directly to LACC for the second audition session. This time, several males were, well, let’s just say strongly asked to sing for me. I was very happy to see them make the effort – it’s not easy to do when you don’t really want to do it, but they did it and that’s a good thing because they will eventually be asked to do all sorts of things at auditions and you just have to go for it with gusto and verve. Two of the young men really had good energy and voices we can work with, so they’re now cast, and we’ll bring in the third guy from outside. I’m really happy that we have six students involved, as I love working with young folks.
I then finally came back home. I had a frozen Cherry Ripe and some pistachio nuts, answered e-mails, viewed the footage we shot (which looks really good), and then it was suddenly time to write some notes. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I’m going to get these here notes up early and get to bed, as I must be up at seven once again.
Today, we have our second day of shooting. We convene at nine at our location in North Hollywood (a rehearsal studio) and hopefully we’ll have our first shot by ten. The first number we shoot is with Alet and Andy – the beginning of the number has some ensemble folks in it, so I’ll actually shoot that last. It’s a slightly complicated number to stage, but I asked them to work out some business and blocking – I’m sure I’ll like it and we can then just plan the shots as I watch what they’re doing. The second number is with Gregory and ensemble. Then we take a brief lunch break, then we shoot the number with Matt Ashford. Hopefully, we’ll wrap out of the room on time by four. Then we go outside and shoot the Matt Ashford set-up scene in a car (stationary). I do like that we get a lot of interesting and different looks for these set-up scenes. As the series goes on I’ll always be looking for new ways to do them. After all that, I head directly to Barry Pearl’s and on to the opening night of Annie at Cabrillo. There’s an opening night party at the Nate ‘n’ Al’s next to the theater, so I’m sure I’ll have something to eat there, although I’ll probably have to have a small Subway sandwich to tide me over, or maybe we’ll just bring in some Dino’s Pizza for everyone – yes, that’s even a better idea, I think.
Tomorrow, I really hope to catch up on sleep, then catch up on writing, then finish casting the Gardenia show, make CDRs for the singers and get same to them, and do errands and whatnot, as well as hopefully picking up some packages and an important envelope.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, get up early, have a long day of shooting, then attend an opening night. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, various and sundried new releases like the complete 1941, Explorers, and 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, as well as upcoming Kritzerland projects. Blu and Ray, next up the rest of the Star Wars, discs and The Tree Of Life. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, as I hit the road to dreamland with high hopes for a wonderful second day of shooting, as well as a cooler day – The Summer Knows that it’s not summer, so let’s knock off this heat wave, shall we?