1/8/08
Today was the first production day of “White Lie.” We didn’t get many shots done, but my friends were excited to be a part of it. Erika, Aly, and Jon helped me with equipment while I acted and directed. It’s difficult acting AND directing, but I think it’s good in a way because I’m closer to the actors. However, I sacrifice being able to see everything all the time. Slashing has it’s ups and downs.
I’m stepping up the audio quality on this one. I’m borrowing the nicest shotgun mic our school has. My teacher usually doesn’t check it out to people, but…he knows I’m not going to use it as a squeegee prop IN the movie.
Production has the benefits of a war or natural disaster without the catastrophe because everyone works together, putting aside personal differences for the sake of a larger goal. It draws us together. Let’s hold hands and sing! Ok, maybe not.
This week at church we talked about peace and how God desires that we live at peace with Him and through hard times, are restored in Him. I keep this in mind during production. I pray beforehand that we’ll do what we need to do without worrying about it and that other people in the cafeteria won’t come up to us and bother us or ask us questions…oh…the questions people ask….
The first question: What are you doing?
2nd: What’s it for?
3rd: Can I be in it?
4th: Please?
5th: I’ll give you a ________if you do.
6th: [more begging]
7th: [insults]
No one bothered us today, but during “The Plan I Have for You,” all these skateboarders were making fun of us, interrupting, or trying to make a physical or verbal appearance (and editor’s worst nightmare when the director doesn’t notice).
It’s always frustrating having to reshoot a scene because obnoxious swearing can be heard in the background…all hail shotgun mics! I could use some paid extras about now. However, even when Spielberg was making Close Encounters, extras had to be fired because they got drunk. Paying people is not guarantee they will do their job.
