Well, dear readers, our second shoot day on episodes five and six went beautifully. I love when that happens. We arrived at nine, got set up, and began blocking the big number for episode five at 9:45. It was basically just positioning actors, and then Kay Cole gave them some little movements to do from their positions. We had our first take at 10:05. Because the number involved twelve people, I did a lot of coverage and we spent ninety minutes on that one number. Normally, I get these in about an hour, but we had to cover all our bases, and I knew the subsequent two numbers would go very quickly, which they did. We got both of them in about forty minutes each and we were done about ten minutes ahead of our scheduled lunch break.
It was Dino’s Pizza for lunch, paid for with cash for obvious reasons. I had a couple of slices. Then Adrian Zmed arrived and we did his first number. Our editor did a cameo appearance. It went very well and Adrian was really great – easy to work with and truly funny without trying to be. Then Sami and Sarah Staitman arrived and we did their little duet, which was great – in fact, even though we did it several times they really nailed it on the first take. Then my pal Clent Bowers arrived and we did his number, which also involved a little eight-year-old boy, the adorable Addie Chandlers, child to Kirsten and Stan Chandler, so he comes from really talented stock. He did a great job, too, and Clent’s first rehearsal had my camera crew howling with laughter. He also nailed his first take, but we did one more and then a close-up. Once he was wrapped, we did some more solo stuff with Addie, just reactions and stuff. Then we shot the final number of the day. I really had no clew how to stage it but after running it, I really just kept it very simple and it worked really well. That one was Adrian, Lisa Livesay, and Addie. Lisa did a great job, too. We finished shooting about an hour ahead of schedule, then we dumped the audio and video to the hard drive and wrapped out an hour early. A really fun day, although both of the camera people had terrible colds, which I hope none of us will catch.
After the shoot, I went to the mail place and picked up one package, then I came home and took a Coldeez and some Airborne, just to be on the safe side. Then I went to Jerry’s Deli and had a cup of chicken noodle soup and a turkey sandwich and no fries or onion rings. Then I came back home. For the third time in a week, they are shooting at the same damn house down the street, which must be on some list or something, since all these production companies keep using it. That’s just swell – the people who own the house get a nice big fee while their neighbors for blocks get to have nothing but inconvenience. It’s pathetic, actually. I finished the third set of liner notes, got them to the proofer, and then sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched the 1957 to 1980 episode of Broadway: The Golden Age on Blu and Ray. It was as bland as I remembered it – some okay interviews, but no footage we hadn’t seen and it just drones on without much point. I suppose as a history lesson for plebes it’s fine but I’m not sure I needed this. I got it on Black Friday for 4.99 or something, so I guess it’s okay. After that I just relaxed until it was time to write these here notes. Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I really must get a good night’s beauty sleep before arising for the third day in a row at seven-thirty.
Today, I shall be up at seven-thirty, and then at our location to shoot episode six’s set-up scene with Adrian Zmed. He couldn’t find anyone to do it with him – all his friends are out of town or busy, so I had to corral someone at the last minute, which I did. So, it will be Adrian and pianist Tom Griep. They’ll sit in Marissa Jaret Winokur’s backyard (she and Adryan are friends and she’s letting us shoot there) and talk about a chart or a gig or something, so it will work fine. The house is actually very close to Screenland Studios, where we shoot the musical numbers. I’ll be there at nine, and we’ll begin shooting at ten and should be done by eleven at the latest. Then we’ll dump the audio and video and hallelujah the rest of the day and evening will be mine all mine.
Tomorrow is, of course, the BK birthday and I shall hopefully have a lovelier than lovely restful day. I think Doug Haverty is having his holiday party that day and I’ll definitely stop by and then I’m meeting some friends at Genghis Cohen for my official birthday dinner. Not sure what’s happening on Sunday, but I hope not much.
Let’s all put on our pointy party hat and our colored tights and pantaloons, let’s all break out the cheese slices and the ham chunks, let’s all dance the Hora or the Pony because today is the birthday of our most beloved dear reader Jane, who I’ve known since the year One. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to our most beloved dear reader Jane, who I’ve known since the year One. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO OUR MOST BELOVED DEAR READER JANE, WHO I’VE KNOWN SINCE THE YEAR ONE!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, shoot the episode six set-up scene, I must hopefully pick up some packages and an important envelope, and then I must have a ME afternoon and evening. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player, and your DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, I can’t keep track anymore. Blu and Ray, Lola by Jacques Demy, an newly-restored version. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland having had a wonderful day of shooting seven musical numbers.