Episode 5 was just wrapped this last weekend. *Sigh*. As some of you may know, and those that don’t know, the pre-cursor to shoot days require hours of emails, setting up times/dates of auditions, sight/shot preparation, discussions about make-up, special effects, cast/crew meetings, attending functions and networking parties to push the project, kicking ass and taking names, kissing ass and remembering names, replacing actors, reviving actors (you know the ones who show up from a bender the previous night), scheduling, etc., etc.
I’ve had a knot in my stomach for two weeks straight while in preparation mode for this shoot and, yet, now that the day is over…I miss it already.
This last Saturday was a huge success even after critical disappointments that led our director, Martin Vavra, to change whole shot sequences to accommodate lacking extras as well as time constraints from a location that pulled out.
But the lead cast members showed up ready to work. Our crew was buzzing about this medical supply warehouse with baited anticipation waiting to get started. Our extras filed in, one by one.
When things got under way, it was awesome. Production has to be my favorite part of making film. If only it wasn’t over so quickly. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be working for 16-hour days, months on end necessarily, but I could handle a few more 12 hour days.
And maybe I’m biased because, being the AD on this gig means that I’m the resident task-master and problem solver. Both of which give me great satisfaction when I feel I’ve finished a job that’s been well-done.
At the end of this particular Saturday, though, I feel as though I didn’t thank everybody in the way I wanted to, as people came and went while I was in the middle of shooting something.
So here it is: Thank you to everyone involved. Thanks to the lead cast members who were willing to forego another weekend to play infection survivors, all of the extras who showed up and hung around during the long shoot day just to run around like zombies for less than an hour. Thank you to Chuck for his kindness and sacrifice of a perfectly good Saturday to babysit us in his warehouse. Thanks to Ann and Stefan and Matt who were the best PA’s in the world. Thanks to Mike for his continued support with the set and props. Thanks to Rachel and Preston for fantastic make-up and FX. And thanks to the best director I know, who was willing to roll with the punches and not let little setbacks ruin what was a ridiculously productive shoot. Sweet Job, Martin.
Great Job everyone…now stay tuned for more about The “Lost” Stand episode…
They are HERE!
These shirts are available now!
Originally we were going to throw in a bumper sticker to the first 50 orders, but because of the overwhelming response we upped that to the first 100 orders!
Thanks for the mention Rachel, don’t forget Ken Webster’s all important sound work and glowing personality.
Killer props there Rachel! Your right there so many people involved and they all deserve a big thank you!
Also to those that don’t know Martin, he’s one of those directors you have to keep an eye on. Big ideas and big projects coming from this guy!!