Yesterday, mostly consisted of techie stuff as the DOP and director talked about how to shoot and download everything on to computers, as well as sound and all that stuff. I had little to do besides memorize dialogue for the next few days of shooting, which I did. The main difference between Innocent and me, so far, is that, for a big fat guy, it is a complete mystery how his metabolism works. It is obviously pitched way higher than mine, and yet he remain a big fat guy, so he must eat like a horse! I’m going to have to speed up a lot to play him, quick birdlike movements. Sudden thrust and parries. He is a creature of inspirations, childlike wonderment, and a certain sort of fear. It’s not that he is “compensating for childish terrors” with a burbling chipperness. It’s that he knows we are playing for keeps in this life and he is bound and determined to be grateful for the whole ball of wax. He has perfected what Chesterton calls the finest form of giving: thanksgiving.
I can hardly wait to have a crack at him!
In other news, I took a walk around the neighborhood. After going about six or seven blocks I found myself quite literally on the wrong side of the tracks! Looking round, I realized this neighborhood looked like a good place to get knifed, so I turned around and beat feet back this way till the neighborhood started sporting those “”Historic Savannah” signs that tell you it’s a bit safer and less knifey. After an hour or so, I meandered home and hung out for the evening.
Finally, our Michael Moon and Arthur Inglewood got in last night and we all sat around and had a very late dinner of turkey sandwiches. Joey and those guys went over costumes while I hung out with them, then we eventually packed it in and I crashed. This morning we commenced principal photography, shooting Michael Moon and the Policeman out in front of Galloway Beacon House. Right now, they are busy shooting Arthur on his bike. As is the rule with film, all the scenes are out of order, so people who are shooting each other or falling in love today might well be meeting for the first time tomorrow.
Now I think I will wander over to the park around the corner and see what they are up to. I can’t be an extra because Innocent is too visible in the film and the audience would say, “Hey! What’s he doing there!” But I can lurk around behind the camera and watch the fun!
Tonight Dale Ahlquist and his daughter Ashleigh arrive. Then I have to hit the hay because we have a 7:30 call tomorrow and I start shooting my first scenes at long last. We got Innocent’s costume all settled today during lunch. His preferred taste in clothiers runs more to Value Village than Fifth Avenue. He does, however, have a way cool hat!
Anyhow, I’ll check in tomorrow! Later dudes and dudettes!