So our lead actress has a small hole in her heart. Melvin called it a heart murmur--I call it weakness! (Just kidding!) She's very brave and strong to carry on the production with such a serious condition impeding the way. The previous night she had an "incident" and went to the ER. The doctors said for her not to do anything strenuous for 24 hours. So we all felt quite sorry for her as she was unable to talk or move about quickly--often having to take long rests between takes and set ups.
But on the upside--she did have to shoot a scene with a creepy neighbor and the annoyance and irritation she already felt from the condition was channeled into her performance with great success!
On the downside--a very important and dramatic scene had to be delayed till tomorrow because she wouldn't be able to work herself up into the appropriate emotional state of being without stopping her heart (potentially).
On the lighter side--Today was the day of nick-naming!!! Brian (the PA) was very accepting of his new nickname, "Philippines." This is based on the fact he is part Filipino. Oddly--he doesn't have a driver's license despite being 30+ years old. There have been a few ethnic jokes thrown about at his expense: He doesn't have a license cause they only have donkeys where he's from! (I don't know if the Philippines have donkeys.)* But he's a very nice guy and hard worker. Whenever he's on set things always go faster and smoother with his assistance and I'm very glad he's joined us.
Christi--our set designer now has the name "Proppy." Mostly Jack uses it and shouts it out as often as possible. She doesn't like it. Jack had been trying to figure out a nickname that was somehow prop related and I suggested "Proppy Smurf." Proppy is easier to say.
Marshall (whom I may have mentioned before) has the nickname "Hollywood." This is in reference to the term "To Hollywood" or hold something with your hands--like a flag or net to block sunlight.** We made him hold a lot of stuff before the C-Stands came in.
Speaking of the C-Stands, they each have their own names! When I asked Jack and Sam to order us some C-Stands, I sent a link to stands that didn't have adjustable legs (for stairs and inclines). So we got in the first stand and realized--wow, this is big, heavy, and doesn't work on stairs. We ordered another, by Matthews, and made sure it had adjustable legs; it came in two days later.
To our surprise, the second tripod was black. This isn't actually a problem--it just didn't match the picture. Black is my favorite color so a little part of me jumped inside at the sight of it. I immediately called it Gary Coleman (which is the industry term for short, black C-Stands.) But I immediately recanted as it is a full sized C-Stand--so therefore, not truly a Coleman.
Today--we were trying to decide on a more appropriate name. Who is black and tends to spread their legs? We ultimately landed on Pam Grier as the famous blaxploitation star whose sexuality comes out quite fiercely on screen. (She's also great in Jackie Brown!!) We then turned to the large, heavy, pain-in-the-ass C-stand in the corner and named it--The Juggernaut!
It's actually been quite helpful to name the C-Stands as they're both very useful in their own ways and we can easily identify them by their given-names. Hollywood--grab Pam Grier cause Philippines is resting the glide cam on the Juggernaut while Proppy dresses the set!
Anyway--tomorrow we have to hit a guy with van in the middle of Downtown Asheville. Nothing major.
UPDATE: Mia had to go to the hospital again. Poor girl. Looks like our early call has been cancelled. At least I get to sleep in. Hopefully she'll be feeling better when we kill her dad with a moving vehicle.
-Mr. Zach
*They do.
**I couldn't find references of this term online but I know it's been used in this context on several sets I've been a part of.
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