March 2, 3, 4, 2015
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| The Circus |
Nothing tires you out more than doing nothing. I spent roughly thirty six hours over three days, to spend about twenty minutes in front of the camera, that will translate into about thirty seconds of screen time. I was however able to read two complete novels, a Lee Child /Jack Reacher, and a Clive Cussler /Numa adventure. There isn't much I can tell you because of confidentiality requirements. Here's what I can tell you. It's a Disney project called Further Adventures in Babysitting.
The best known actor in the project, other than me, is Gabrielle Miller from Corner Gas. I have known Gabe since she was a teenager. We have the same agent . She's a massive talent and of course drop dead gorgeous. We only got to visit briefly on Monday and I will be wrapped before she is back on set. Tiny Tanya, a friend of Jennifer's is the head of the makeup department and did my makeup as we caught up on lost time. There were some strange moments on set. It used to be people would say to Jen "You're Squatch's daughter aren't you?" the lovely Lisa was Squatch's wife. Now I'm Jens dad and the lovely Lisa 's husband. I feel like a footnote!
In what was a major wakeup call. I was approached by the stunt coordinator. I didn't recognize him but he knew me. "Have we worked together ? " I asked. " No, you gave a talk when I was in film school." The guy was forty years old! Another actor when I introduced myself said oh yeah I've heard of you! Christ I'm old!
The six kids that star in the show are amazing little actors. No attitude and just want to make everybody happy. Great kids, but makes for a loud and hectic set. The biggest drawback for me is Craft Services. That's where the never ending supply of sugar coated snack food is kept. The mind is strong, the flesh is weak. I bet I put on five pounds in three days work.
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| Desert anyone? |
The first thing that happens when you get to set is breakfast . You can do the express breaky or custom order. I do the express. Scrambled eggs with bacon and turkey sausage. I generally eat by myself in my trailer. Not being one of the leads on this show I am in what they call a four holer. This is a trailer with four rooms each with a very small bathroom and a TV with no reception. That's why I went through two novels. Normally I would stay in my trailer at the circus, that's what they call the area where the dressing rooms, hair/makeup and cast trailers are . In this case the circus was a ten minute drive from set. My wardrobe is waiting for me and on this particular show it could have come from my own closet. Once I'm dressed I go through the works. I and the characters I play are usually wash and wear. They take the shine off my nose and forehead and kick me to the curb . Now I hurry up and wait. I have been in the first scene all three days. There's a lot of rules when you're working with kids. They not only have to do the show but also have to fit in three hours of school out of the nine hours they are allowed to be on set. Every kid has to have at least one parent present at all times. Because of the distance between the circus and the set we had a green room. At times there were thirty people in there. It was at times deafening. I had a great time. Two of the days I was in the first shot then sat around until lunch before shooting again.
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| Dinner |
Fortunately craft service is nearby. I started nibbling on trail mix. I probably ate five pounds of it.
I'm only kidding, but not by much. I was wrapped for the film at lunch time on the third day. Even after only three days on set you develop a real rapport with the cast and crew. John Shultz, the director stopped the work and announced that I was wrapped for the show to much applause. I'm not sure if it's because I did such a great job or if they were just happy to see me go. Lots of handshakes and back slapping and see you laters.
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| Night time at the circus |
I ate with John the director and Gary the 1st ad before leaving for good.
I was just making sure they knew how much I enjoyed working with them and how much I look forward to working with them again. That's right, I was sucking up like a son of a bitch. I will see them one more time because I left my cell phone charger in my trailer and will stop by the circus after I finish the seminar I am taking with the RCMP today. Oh yeah, I haven't done a workout all week and I'm riddled with guilt. back on the plan tomorrow. That's life on set. I have no pictures either.
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| Circus view |
That's all I've got
Till next time
Peace out y'all
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