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Int: A turn of the century warehouse in Hannibal

So Saturday we did a casting call, and we’re still reviewing the tapes as of Tuesday night.  It’s a tough choice. I have to be honest. I love casting calls. It’s easily the most fun part of the film making process. Some come in, and it’s all business. They deliver their lines, take direction, deliver lines again, and then go on about their day. Others are friendly or funny. Some, when explained who the character is get that “are you serious?” look. And still others are so nervous, you can see there hands shake while they deliver the lines on playback. It’s a fascinating mixed bag. These are the ones I respect the most, and are a reminder that it’s not an easy gig to walk out in front of a bunch of people you don’t know, and just throw it out there convincingly.

We arrived in Hannibal on Sunday, and it was supposed to be a short day, but Maria explained it to the cast pretty well. “When he says two hours, it’s normally eight…” In my defense, it’s really more like six. I knew Sunday’s shoot was going to be a lot of set up. We had to get a bath tub set up, and filled on the third floor, with no water spigot. So bucket after bucket of hot water was brought up on the elevator.

But we got it set up, and we got it done. In between setting up, everyone huddled near the kerosene heater that looked like a jet engine trying to stay warm. Yeah, we were indoors, but it doesn’t mean you couldn’t see people’s breath. Eric had the luxury of sitting in a warm bathtub to deliver his lines, but by the time we got to Rhonda, we had to actually stop and give her time to warm up, so her mouth could form the words without her lips trembling or teeth chattering. She’s a trooper throughout, and we get done exactly as much as I expected to given the long set up.

At 8:00 we wrap it up, and I don’t think much about it. I actually kept waiting for something to happen. A waterline break, the bathtub to go through the floor, an alien invasion, a dinosaur attack, a meteor hitting the building…something. This is us. Lucky isn’t on the menu. But other than us kicking the circuit breaker while trying to run the lights and the heater, and having to find the panel, nothing does.

But come Monday, things are different. We had a nice easy shooting day by my estimate. But Karen tells me that Eric and Rhonda are chomping at the bit to get rolling again. They’re excited! This is a good thing. This is how it’s supposed to work. And now, I can’t wait to get back to Hannibal.

The snow has melted, so I can quit worrying about shooting the exterior shots for winter. At least for now.