Scene
Ext: A large VERY WINDY private lake.

Easily the most frustrating weekend since we’ve began.  As Karen (the trooper) put it “The summer cast had there ‘Walk to the Barn’ scene”.

Everything that could go wrong did.  We had to scrub Saturday, because, while the sun would peak out from time to time, the damn wind refused to let up, making every bit of audio absolutely useless.  It was like trying to shoot in a wind tunnel with a truck driving through.

Sunday looked beautiful.  It was nice and sunshiny, though cool.  Alright who the fuck am I kidding, it was down right cold.  The thermometer may have said 62, but the wind and the water made it feel like -20.  Just a fucking miserable day.

Then there was the seemingly constant airplanes.

I should have kept a running tally on how many times we were just getting ready to shoot, and just as we were about to roll, what sounded like the scream of a Messerschmidt had everybody relax into a slump.

And then just as the wind calmed down,and the water was smooth,  and the air traffic slowed, the gun fire had stopped, the extras were in makeup, and we had everybody, and everything across the lake, and the sun was setting beautifully in the distance …THE BAND started playing.  And you thought the fucking turkey was out of nowhere…

So, I did the only thing I could do.  I looked at the extras in zombie makeup, with the sun in perfect position, and I yelled action.  And each and every one of them delivered, in spades.  So no matter what happens, we have that scene in the can.  I like it so much, it may wind up being on our final poster.

And while we intended on shooting the one night scene for this segment this weekend, by the time the sun went down, I just couldn’t do it.  I’m standing on a muddy bank, looking at the cast that are all dressed in summer clothing, and the only thought that went through my mind was, “Fuck this, I’m done.  There’s no way I’m going to do this to these people.”  I was good and pissed at our seeming lack of progress, and I’m sure all of them were thinking the same thing: “Are we done yet?”

For anybody who thinks acting is an easy gig, try acting like you’re warm.

To my cast.  Thank you, thank  you thank you for all your hard work and I’m sorry.   this weekend was just shit.  And James, thanks for the directing juice.

I still have to go back and get the trailer and the truck…and we’ve lost Kelly til the end of October.

But the forecast for this weekend says its supposed to be partly sunny and 80 degrees.  Time to get back up, dust myself off and start swinging again…