Leftovers

Last week, Nations Entertainment Group launched production on its second feature, Leftovers. I was brought on as a crew administrator, which technically isn't a position, but it was great to be asked back to work on the project.

The first two locations we shot were beautiul places. First was a surgeon's home in Seguine, bedecked with the finest architectural detail I've ever seen in a home. Even the brass plates on the door hinges had engravings. The doctor's bathroom is literally bigger than my bedroom, with a clean, cool look. If only we didn't have to lug all the equipment upstairs to shoot! The house is near a river, which apparently floods pretty severely, so the main house is about 15 feet above ground.

The second place we shot was a music studio. Outside, the building itself is unsigned, square and plain; the ironwork bars surround the curved patio outside the front door only hint at the lavishness inside. It's not so much the interior building itself that is special, but the personality of the decor. Big sofas in the studio control rooms, patches of South American-inspired artworks on the walls broken up by modern oil paintings, and a Botero (albeit only a copy) in the lunch room (which is bigger than my kitchen and dining room combined.

Rudolfo, our sound man, was sick, and wore a mask all weekend to keep his germs from spreading to the rest of us. Very considerate. He was a trooper, despite the fact that day one ran from 6:30am to midnight. I warned the crew that it would; but I suppose they didn't believe me. The scenes were in the kitchen, with lots of shiny surfaces, complex movements, and a number of necessary cutaways.

Day two wasn't as long, but that was only because we were on a deadline. We only had the studio from 7am to 5pm. Despite that, we were there shooting until six. That created quite a bit of tension between our DP, Russ, and our Director, Robin. Robin is from the school that it's easier to just do something than to ask permission. She doesn't like confrontation. Russ doesn't like to inconvenience anyone, especially people who are not asking anything in return for our borrowing their space and time, and he doesn't like to burn any bridges.

Kevin Nations has been, in addition to sound crew duties, providing the craft services. He's done quite a job. Nobody can complain about not being well fed on the set.

In addition to Russ, Robin, Kevin, and Rudolfo, Mark, who worked with us on Water's Edge, is back again. Eric, who Russ says he has a lot of admiration for as a filmmaker, is with us also. Larry didn't show up this past weekend, so I don't know if he's going to next weekend. Then there's 'The other Kevin,' our production assistant. I haven't gotten a chance to really get to know everyone else on the set yet, but I know Erin (continuity) is very, very shy; and Ezme (makeup) seems very friendly and dedicated.

The cast seems to be strong, but hadn't really gelled on day one. That might need a complete reshoot (with lots more groceries this time around!).
There were concerns about the long days and slow shooting pace. This week I got an email from Robin asking me to check the schedules to see if I thought they were doable, and to try to keep everyone running on time. Sounds like a Production Manager credit to me.

It also sounds like I'll be swamped; since Milton is closing on his new house in Kyle on the 28th also, and we'll be moving not only from his condo; but also moving most of my things out of Tom's trailer. Of course, moving from Tom's isn't as pressing, as I'm still renting from him. Probably will for some time.

Better sleep every chance I get.