The Work
I arrive 15 minutes early thanks to light traffic. It’s still dark outside. Typically enough, I’m told I won’t be working for an hour, so I go ahead and grab breakfast. Fortunately, movie sets usually feed you pretty well, and I was able to get a hot, delicious breakfast in short order. I work on this article while waiting to be called to set.
Josh, the 2nd AD, calls for me at 7:30 and sends me to the set, paperwork in hand. I wait while they shoot a super-short scene with Dwight Ensell (“Chasing Amy”), then set up for the next scene, which features Dwight and Richard Burgi (UPN’s “The Sentinel”). The two actors rehearse the scene and find their blocking, which I watch carefully. The camera assistant places tape on the floor to establish the actors “marks.” The actors step off the set and the crew flies into action to set up for the shot. I’m brought in immediately to stand in for Richard. The DP directs a good portion of the crew, primarily grips and gaffers, to light the scene appropriately, using myself and the other two stand-ins as guidelines for lighting the actors. As they work, the production designer and art director navigate around us as well, making sure the set looks the best it can with the lighting and angle for the shot. Meanwhile, we stand perfectly still and wait until they are done, taking direction to look at one person or the other in the scene, or to stand at another mark in the scene. It’s that basic. Then 1st team is then called back on the set and we’re asked to step off. I wait and work on this column some more before going to work on an outline for a script I’m writing. I have lots of time to sit around and wait until they need to set up their next shot, and I’m always on the clock… Nice.
The finish with the master shot and go to single shots of the individual actors in the scene, so I go in for Richard again. After this take, they re-arrange the whole set for a new scene. While I’m waiting for the crew to require my presence, I bump into an old friend from an acting class. Turns out he’s playing a small role in the film! An old friend of his is actually co-producing the film with Robert Ulrich (the U of UDK casting). Moments later, Marisa Ross—who works with Robert at UDK—walks by and we briefly talk, too. I’m seeing her everywhere lately, including my gym. She’s working out with my former trainer! As big as this town can seem when you’re starting out, it sure shrinks up after a while.
