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It was kind of bad because I read the calendar wrong and got to school way too early (an hour) and I felt battered and beaten, but I entertained myself. We had an earthquake preparedness thing which was, whatever. Then while waiting and waiting for my new team on the balcony, I was invited by Shades for a lunch with a few writers. After seeing no one was coming to our meeting, I said yes and we began the trek out. As we moved, however, we collected more and more guests. We were becoming an army!
By the stairs one other female had joined the ranks, by the parking lot I saw Canada Lass and sucked her down into our vortex.
We rode down to little restaurant then like a horde fell upon the scene. We were so many! We must have been 20, I’m certain of it. Canada Lass put my lunch on her card because she is AWESOME, even though I totally would have got hers!
The meal itself was great. Nothing like laughing a joking with Writers. We just spit balled ideas and laughed and laughed.
Finally, after about 2 hours, we had to get back for a screening. What fun though—I wish I could describe it in better words for you to read, but I know you had to be there to understand and appreciate. It was just sun and writers and fun. Laughs and lunch.
The screening this afternoon was for, “The Family Stone.” Adventure liked it, I don’t think I could dislike it more.
So much so, I let my opinion be known to the producer and writer/director of the film who where there to have a Q&A.
ME (to Canada Lass): Hi! Did you stay for this?
CL: No, I already saw it.
ME (very unflatteringly): Oh, well it was SOMETHING ELSE. Just—
(Canada Lass makes a face)
ME: such a piece of—what?
CL: The producer, director… right there.
I look over my shoulder.
Yep.
Guess who’s standing two feet from me?
CLASS.
ME: Uh, let me just take my red hair and giant turquoise skirt to the restroom now…
After the screening and Q&A, I met up with Adventure, Bday and Ad.’s old director for Jamba Juice.
Bday is having big time trouble with his group. He’s just miserable. I can’t believe Engaged and the Critical Canadian would make Bday feel like this!
[INSERT 24 HOURS HERE, I FELL ASLEEP AT MY DESK TYPING THIS LAST NIGHT]
The second screening of the day was for a film called “Something New.” I remember seeing a preview or two and not thinking much of this film, but it was quite fun. The dialogue was sometimes way too on the nose, but it had some great one-liners and more importantly, it’s the first film to boast African American women in the producer, writer and director seats. It’s so important to support women in film guys! We are a dying breed from the young end, less and less are going into filmmaking. “Something New” also, is a perfect chick flick. If I actually had girlfriends anymore, I would totally go see this movie in a cinema with them on Valentines.
The Q&A following was likewise, awesome. It was attended by an exec, the writer and Alfre Woodard. Woodard was amazing! She was so smart and articulate. My favourite bit was when she said the last thing she wanted when signing on with a script is a director messing with the story.
ME: YAY.
As the talk went on though, I started to get hot. Really hot. Get your minds from the gutter, I mean temperature-wise. HOT. Little beads of sweat rolling down my back. I know I never typed up anything about my last shooting day, but that day I was very sore and feeling hammered, so when this menopausal heat rush began, I started to panic.
Fever.
I think I had a fever.
SO hot. Just burning. Up.
I said I would give Adventure a ride home—but I also was to have a talk with my new group about Cycle 3, but I just couldn’t cope. I told my group I had to get home immediately. I took Adventure to his place, told him geek chic was in (am I right on this girls?)
ME: Why don’t you wear your glasses more?
AD: That’s what my friend M. said. She said she was more attracted to me when I wore my glasses.
ME: See? You look good!
AD: Really? I just look – and, I think I look like an adult, 14 year old with facial hair.
- came home—had a another meeting with my director then died right here on the keyboard. I was so tired and hurting.
All in all though, fun day—don’t you think?
Today I felt much better.
Oh! Today was such an adventureful day. It began early. By 8:30 AM, I was at Adventure’s place for we were off to the post office to mail things (a common thing to do at the post office). The post office was fairly uneventful, save for the fact the post lady had to dig out one of Adventure’s letters because he had miss postage-stamped the envelope.
From there, we went on to school and took part of a pitch session, to hire on people to our project. I am working with Glinda again but we have a new producer. We don’t have a story again, because—why would we? But our goal is to have a sardonic humor sort of violent fairy tale. Think: Roald Dahl.
I have no idea what the out come of the pitch session was—I was off again with Adventure on further random activities. First we were off to Good Will. First time in ’06 I believe. Adventure found a table and I got a cup. Or rather, I found the extravagant .39 cent cup and Adventure bought it for me because I was too embarrassed to put it on my card.
From Goodwill, it was to the bank to get quarters. It was Adventure’s bank and he was going to change out my bill for the coins.
AD: Give me the money.
ME: What do you say?
AD: Give me the money, biatch.
(Long pause)
ME: You are such a bastard, why am I even friends with you?
(I hand over money)
AD: Thank you.
ME: I don’t thank you.
(I open the door then cut in front of Adventure)
ME: Excuse me. Bastard.
Standing in line, Adventure made little signs and practiced for when the Teller would ask him if he wanted a new credit card.
AD: Ask me if I want a credit card.
ME: Do you want a credit card?
(Adventure holds up a little sign)
ME (reading): “No thanks, I do not want another credit card at this time.”
From the bank it was to Target to get Adventure a microwave. Ad. is really living the dream life now, he finally got a mattress, a dvd player, a micro—it’s good though because he has both his girlfriend and friend coming into town, so at least he will have a presentable living quarters to share.
Target is always a delight. I found “Bad News Bears” for 5 bucks and Adventure found his ideal microwave and a tax program for the computer. After loading up the cart, we took to the parking lot. While wheeling past and through all the parked mobiles, Adventure stepped onto the back to let the cart roll on its on accord. I grabbed hold of the front of the cart and then took off running dragging the cart to speed.
AD: Extreme trolley riding!
ME: There’s a speed bump coming up, I’m not exactly sure how to navigate this.
(I hit the mountainous speed bump)
AD: Ah, my genitalia!
We swung and ran with the cart all through the parking lot until we reached my car and I only hit two more speedbumps.
We clambered by into my little car and drove back to AFI for a screening “Munich,” it was about this time I noted Adventure had opted to wear his glasses.
(I slap Adventure’s leg hard)
ME: Hey, you went with the glasses. I approve.
(Pause)
ME: That totally hurt my hand, is your leg ok?
Munich was… I don’t know. I feel about it like I felt about Syrianna. It seemed like a good movie, but I didn’t get it and wasn’t entertained. I can’t stand movies which make me THINK as I watch. Wtf!
But yes, all I know is I dozed off more than one during Munich and obviously this speaks volumes of the per capita count of brain cells I have in my brain.
But yes. Very quiet. Smart. I can’t remember any of the characters. That’s about all I got from Munich because I am evil.
I did get to sit next to Canada Lad and learnt I possibly am fighting the same disease he has had for the past age.
CL: I’m still sick.
ME: I’m sorry, I didn’t feel well yesterday at all. It was so funny. I just hurt and hurt--- and yesterday I started to get hot.
CL: Oh yep. Mm hmm.
ME: Hotter and hotter…
CL: Does your head hurt right across here?
ME: … Yes.
CL: You have what I have. Welcome to the next two months of your life.
Also, R. made a colourful comment during a question Adventure asked. She leaned over and said something to the point of, “I can’t stand him,” but I can’t tell if she was kidding or not.
V. Distressing.
I am going to research this. Likewise, research Canada Lass. I don’t know her all that well, but I think something is really bothering her.
After Munich, Adventure and I rounded out the day by hitting up the grocery stores. Adventure had to get to know his new found love: Food 4 Less. So we revisited and made some excellent bargainous finds, because this is what we do.
We also looked at lubricant, because our Earthquake seminar said we needed it.
AD: Excuse me.
(Ad. picks up lubricant to read back)
ME: Um.
AD: I just want to see if there’s some secret to why we need this, because the sheet said we needed it but it didn’t say why. Oh wait, this is all about the rectal thermometers.
ME: You do know I thought you were reaching for the Vagisil at first?
Things really picked up in the check out line.
ME: Gasp.
AD: What?
ME: Look.
(I hold out my hands. One is empty, the other holds my keys)
AD: No wallet.
ME: Yeah.
AD: Don’t worry, I’ll pay. I can get more Skymil-
ME: No, you don’t understand, I had my wallet when we came in here. I must of have set it down.
P.S. Food 4 Less is the size of a modest Costco.
After the wallet was retrieved (by the pencils), we analyzed the Bradgelina story.
ME: Let’s talk about how much I can’t stand Angelina Jolie.
(Reads from magazine cover)
ME: “Jen vows to have a baby!”
AD: I’ll help.
ME: Help get Jen a baby?
AD: Yep.
ME: We might want to go back and get that stuff back there then.
AD: Now I understand why we needed the lubricant. If there’s an earthquake and a freeway collapses and I’m with Jennifer Aniston, I will have food for 9 months so all I will have to worry about is performance.
[WHY? I FELL ASLEEP AGAIN! IT IS NOT 7 AM]
After food for less, apparently there was the need for the familiar, for we went to good ol’ Albertson’s as a night cap. By this point I was starving because everything looked too delicious and you can always tell when Adventure is beginning to fade because everything becomes a song.
After Albertson’s I swung the boy over to his place, disposed of the body came home, tried my very best to do everything I needed to do (laundry, hi, I need underwears, stat) before expiring on my bed, which brings us up to date and now. I am sitting in my bathrobe with my hair up in a towel, trying to figure what to do next and how to end this entry.
You know, let’s make it easy.
BYE BEE!
suddenly i was @ 09:17 am
(no feathers)
tuesday, january 24, 2006
Just wrapped, baby—we made a cycle 2.
It ended with hugs and kisses and hopefully all will be well. We had some fantastic people working with us and we really tried to do something special in two weeks.
More later—I am exhausted!
suddenly i was @ 11:03 pm
(no feathers)
I’m shy!
But I can’t tell because the people I was talking with are big teases and jokers, so… were they serious?
In the meanwhile I continue to get really annoyed with the universe.
I am sitting here with one of the actors. I think I am going to go make some more food items.
Ciao.
(pissed)
suddenly i was @ 07:39 pm
(no feathers)
That wasn’t nearly as nice.
Today I was working with Adventure and Writing Partner again, so I was very glad for their company. The day actually ended up having a nice cyclical nature. Sitting at the craft table, I told Adventure to be careful sliding around on the bench because it build up incredible electrostatic.
ME: Don’t touch the metal behind you, it will cook your skin off.
Adventure goes and touches the metal.
SNAP.
AD: F*#@!
ME: I told you not to touch it!
AD: I can’t help it, it’s like telling a 5 year old to not do something.
This will come back, I promise.
The day ran quietly out by the food table as things grew tense on the stage. I was thankful to be detached from the process.
Adventure and I ran to the grocery store, because god forbid we have any amount of time in each other’s company without going to a grocery store.
The store trip was fun. I think my two favourite moments was when Adventure all but went into convulsions discovering how cheap the place was (it was like a Food 4 Less place or something). “Bargainous” is his phrase for deals.
AD: Is it bargainous?
My most favourite was the following.
ME: Where’s the mustard? It should be here.
AD: It’s ridonkulous we can’t find it.
ME: I’ve taught you well.
Canada Lass visited throughout the day. I just love that girl, she’s so funny. She brought her script along and I helped to proof it. LAUGH if you must, I can’t proof my own work to save my life and I DETEST doing it, but I love editing for others. Then she thanked me for helping her out yesterday.
Apparently I have two reps now, courtesy of this production.
I. I am a good brainstormer.
CANADA LASS: [myname] is a good brainstormer.
AD: I know, she’s mine!
CRITICAL CANADIAN: I talked to Engaged yesterday, he told me about everything you said. We’re writing our draft today, thanks so much for helping us.
I proofed, then I read Adventure and Writing Partner’s Piece and voiced comments there as well.
II. I am good Craft Service. BOOYAH. I scored two more jobs, one on my Old Producer’s and Australia’s and then one for WP and Adventure’s shoot. I think I will do the former, just because it’s not some weird location, just the soundstage at school.
It was a little like Writerpalooza at school today. Whilst moving about I ran into both Shades and Bday. I love those guys so much and felt so bad for Bday because I helped Engaged yesterday who is making his life so difficult. Shades is doing all right. I wish I could see him more. He’s so fantastic and funny.
I’ve also got to talk to so many new people. The English Editor, directors… tons of fun!
There was such a strange vibe on set today. Even though I wasn’t on the stage, you could feel it. Even though there was no yelling, no barking, there was tension. You can’t go for so many 12-15 hour days without tension. I mean, I don’t get any of it out at my food table because everyone knows if they’re not pleasant to me, I can deny them access to M&M’s but, you can tell. I was in a terrific sour mood because someone had hit the back of my car and my paint is damaged, then while dinking around on the computers talking to my friends on AIM Adventure got very depressed and combine all this with me taking out the trash during the “executive meeting” where the DP, director, producer and First A.D. finally get a chance to discuss their issues. It was a very civil meeting and everyone on the set says these guys have been so professional about not letting others feel their stress, but add it all together and I was just… down by the end. I don’t really want to go back tomorrow.
The other thing which is really annoying is how everything has been botched in the minutia. The actors are fabulous, I’ve heard the lines and Goethe text has been wonderful and the costumes—I asked my DP to take pictures of the two characters. You guys have to see them! They look like they fell out of Dickens or something! The woman has such a sad quality face and she is so quiet and her voice IS lovely. I am just thrilled with her casting. The doctor man… he has these great stiff high collars. I even like the young blind man the woman falls for and who falls for her voice. He’s so young looking and our woman so beyond her prime, it’s really tender to think of their love for each other. All they ever do… is he puts his head in her lap. That’s the extent of their physical relationship. It’s so gentle on paper, I fear it on screen...
We even have 17 century coins for the young man’s coin collection!
THEN the set BLOWS IT ALL TO CHUNKY PIECES.
For example, the end shot: in the exterior coverage, the door the two characters exit is a heavy wood door. The interior shots?
Glass French doors.
Wtf.
I am so annoyed. It’s one thing with continuity issues, someone forgets a glove, a pin, but A WHOLE DOOR WHICH TAKES UP THE ENTIRETY OF THE FRAME?
Why? How? Who didn’t catch this detail?
I makes me very upset.
Distractions like such just detract from any good we have and they are so avoidable, it makes me annoyed.
The day ended on kind of a funny little moment, which I think I will tuck away for some screenplay moment in my future.
Here comes the cyclical part of the day.
After wrap, after everything was packed away, I was thanking Adventure for his help on our team, because today was his last day. Somewhere in the middle of the day we switched shirts—I can’t remember how it worked, Adventure had my Elliot sweatshirt from a few days ago, when I gave it to him because he was cold. Then today, he wore it to the shoot. I had a sweater on and I was overheating something fierce and needed something lighter, so he gave me his sweatshirt. As we said goodbye, perhaps it was because we had spent about 11 hours in the static seats, or what we were removing sweatshirts—whatever the combination, when we touched to exchange hoodies it was like this audible lightening bolt. We both yelped as it shocked us up to our elbows. Then we laughed.
ME: I think my finger just turned black!
The night set and I tossed the trash out as the DP’s dueled with lighting and gels in the parking lot.
One more day and Cycle 2 is over…
Oh yeah, and today I was blessed by the writer of "Walk The Line" because I gave him some nuts from my food table.
ME: You can have anything you like.
WRITER: Oh, bless you.
suddenly i was @ 12:19 am
(no feathers)
monday, january 23, 2006
Day 2!
I don’t think today was as smooth, but from the Craft Service Table everything is rosey and beautiful.
Especially when people walk up and say, “this is the best craft I’ve ever had” and I answer, “and I’m under budget.”
Writing Partner and Adventure were off today, but So. Africa took up the slack and filled the void.
I liked today because I got to help a ton of people with ideas. Somehow, I’ve earned the rep of being a good idea person. I think it’s just because I can talk and B.S. for long periods of time. I am like a verbal brainstorm all the time.
First, Canada Lass stopped by and she sat by and we tried to block out her feature. I thinks she has an amazing concept. Think “Sixteen Candles” meets “Raising Arizona” with a dash of “The Philadelphia Story.” Isn’t that fabulous?
We worked together for a while before she drifted off and left.
Later, T. the kind director whose nickname will now be Engaged, sat down and after a moment:
ENGAGED: So, I have this scene, how do you think you would write it?
I talked and talked with him and he took notes. I gave him my notes and tried to help him beat out the story. So. Africa joined us and we all worked together on Engaged’s story. It was great fun and I just do so love Engaged, but I felt bad too because Engaged is Bday’s director… you know the one who has taken the script from the writer? That group is such a shame because I love each member dearly: Critical Canadian, Bday and Engaged, but they are all at such odds! I listen to all sides, but I feel totally stuck in the middle.
n HI! It’s tomorrow and I am sitting here with Adventure reading about Russian television.
What was I saying? Ah, yes. So I love helping people with ideas. It makes me so very happy.
I think there was more to yesterday… but I can’t really recall. I asked my cinematographer to phot—oh that’s right.
I don’t like the set. The actors are apparently amazing and they look SO good. So completely legitimate for 1913, it’s ridiculous; that’s why I was asking my cinematographer for photos of them—you just have to see! – then the set! It’s feces!
GLINDA: The set was a surprise to me…
ME: Do you like it.
GLINDA: No.
ME: Me neither.
GLINDA: It’s so ugly.
ME: It’s heinous.
It’s so annoying. I hope it doesn’t detract from the good we put towards the production. ARGH.
Anyhow, I should dart. I feel weird typing when I am around other people.
suddenly i was @ 11:40 am
(no feathers)
sunday, january 22, 2006
Today was so great.Who, EVER thought I would say such a thing after the first day of a shoot?
So, my cycle 2 project is officially in production. It is why I have been so MIA these past few weeks. I have been working on its script, nonstop since after New Years; a reworked version each day. Just brutal workload! The NIGHT OF I was still writing.
Yesterday just about killed me. I was up all night working again. I finally hit the sack at about 7:30 AM, where I promptly was sawing logs until a strange noise cracked my eye open. My phone. After hitting my alarm several times, spending a good few moments trying to figure out what was going on I found out it was Wiredclover!
I then stumbled from bed, proofed my script from the morning before – er, 4 hours before and then zipped off to school to sign some paperwork.
Oh my god.
I never signed the paperwork.
I got there and immediately leapt into working loading the truck… an activity I normally don’t wear a skirt for! Only my two cinematographers were there (past and present). I love my new cinematographer so much. She’s wonderful. Every time we talk, she calls me kind names and gives me a hug.
After loading the truck Glinda ran up with the announcement we need to get our blind contacts, stat from some place far away accessible only via freeway. I blanched and panicked and told her I PHEER the freeway. After a little juggling and much guilt feeling on my part, Glinda and I switched jobs. I now had the task of finding the producer, meeting the costume designer, getting the wardrobe… I can’t even remember. It was just all over the place and my phone did not stop ringing. Every 10 minutes, ringring.
Finally at about 3:30 I slipped away. At this point I was so bloody exhausted all I needed was nap or I was going to drop flat onto my face and die. I picked lunch up for myself, placed a quick phone call to the The Clover That Which Is Wired and made it to my bed with 30 minutes to spare before I was due back at AFI to pick up Adventure for a GRANDE sort of grocery adventure, for—you see, I am Craft Service again.
Who doesn’t love Craft Service?
A day before I had told Adventure he shouldn’t feel required to come along, but by the evening I was glad he was because I was so tired and it was so lovely to have company in the car (kept me from veering off the road, yo.)
We talked all along the way and I learned things about Ad. I had never known before, then we arrived at Costco.
Adventure is a good Craft Service partner because he can find the deals. I am terrible. I am more of a “Ooh, tasty” shopper than a “this is a good price” shopper. We browsed forever using my handy dandy list from my last few shoots. We were on a quest this shopping adventure to spend a good lot of money, which could be placed on Adventure’s card so he could earn Skymiles and go visit his girlfriend.
Oh. We earned miles, all right.
After Costco, we piled everything into my car and zipped over to YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE AND MINE, Albertson’s, where we proceeded to shop—more. By the end of the shop I had so many groceries in my car, I drive a little Volkswagon Beetle, I mean, it was to-the-ceiling stuffed full.
Adventure and I went to my place and ordered food while we caught up on all important World News (Virginity and the Chastity Vow on CNN- bzuh?) and I shared certain comic things of my most recent past. – Not willingly! I get too embarrassed to share things. It wasn’t until DNS’s like [myname]naked.com started cropping up that I split the beans.
After dinner, I gave Ad. my Elliot Red Hoody for he was cold and I took him all the way home where we talked some more and bonded over common experiences.
Can I just take a moment to say how glad I am to have such a friend as Adventure? I just love him. He’s such a great person. I’m so glad I met him.
Finally I made it home and after a few more last minute changes to the script, by 1 AM I was in BED.
I slept soundly until 6 AM, then it was time to get up up up all over again.
This time the mission was to fit the wardrobe somehow magically ontop of the groceries. I swear to god, my Beetle was about .03 inches from the ground. I was panicked I was going to be late because the packing took a good long while and I had to get the coffee…
Rolls eyes.
Brazil, my new producer, he is a good guy. I really liked him, but to quote Adventure, “I’m not impressed.” Brazil really fell short of the line Producer wise today. Not only did he not delegate well so the director and writer were both taking up the slack but just small things like he didn’t order tables and chairs for the crew for lunch (you’re supposed to rent these) and the back yard area we were supposed to be eating in? He has a dog and he hadn’t cleaned up after it! We were supposed to eat IN FECES.
NASTY.
By the time I hit Wilshire, Adventure had all ready called as he was waiting at the location with Writing Partner.
I got to the location, which… aw, crapnards. I left the photo outside. I was going to scan it for you. – It was this nice house.
When I go onto a set I take on a new guise. I am NOT a writer. I am only craft service. NO ONE is to know I wrote a script. I tell my team in advance. It was nice to see our actors. I think our main woman is perfect. She looks just like our character. The guy was – I don’t know! Such a dweeb! He wouldn’t leave the little writer’s circle (Adventure, Writing Partner and I) alone. His costume contacts looked amazing though. I think we spent something like 300 dollars on them, but they were these freaky, god-awful milky cataract lenses.
Our story, this time, was based off a short Italian story set in 1913 and is about a nurse/maid woman taking care of a blind man. The blind man falls in love with the woman’s voice and thinks she’s beautiful, when the woman only has a lovely voice and is homely and much older in appearance. It’s kind of a story about her becoming human; because the man imagines her to be something else, she becomes this different person.
All I know is it has GOETHE text because she is a reader for him, so there are huge passages of just poetry.
Being on set was lovely though with Adventure and Writing Partner. Those guys… they just kill me. If you could see them! One is this pale, thin- I don’t know, classic “sensitive” type, very shy, quiet (Adventure) and the other is this strapping, Ivy League grad who lives for football (he flew across the country to see one ball game) and is just as loud, brazen and foul-mouthed as can be- yet they are writing partners! I mean, to give you a hint, I think we spent the first half of the morning with those two arguing over the two different footballs (Oh, one is British and the other American to add to the charm of the duo, guess which is which): soccer vs football.
WP: Ok, I’ll give you the name is stupid for football, but there’s no sport to soccer! You just kick the ball around.
AD: We just kick the ball around—you just kick yours through pipes and jump on each other!
So on.
I liked too the fact it is just common knowledge Adventure and I spent 95% of our spare time in the grocery store.
WP (overacting): We never see each other any more.
AD: We’ve grown apart.
WP: You don’t have time for me, you’re always shopping with [my name].
AD: I can’t help it if you don’t share my interests!
It was great to have writers on a set though, we had such fun. Ad. and I labeled all the waters with creative phrases.
“ELIXIR OF LIFE”
“FISH WATER”
“BEST SITE ON INTERNET: IHD.COM”
“TEARS OF A SCREENWRITER”
“BEST IF DRANK BOILED”
and my personal favourite: “ADVENTURE’S SPIT”
- Which ironically, was the only water which remained UNTOUCHED.
Adventure kept trying to let on about my site-thing (most of you know of what I speak!) with Writing Partner.
AD: I think [my name] should make a website, because there’s this awesome website with comics and she’s really good at that sort of thing. You know, comics everyone likes and could be seen everywhere.
WP: (looks at me) Why are you nervous over there, what is it? Do you have a site?
ME: … mer…
EVILE.
All of AFI will probably know by the end of the week.
Oh it was just so great. T. who is this GREAT director who I am secretly in love with was on the team, the make up artist was funny and entertaining and Adventure had a friend from his Undergrad come over and visit for a few hours. We just talked and talked and talked.
After a while, we began doing nothing but telling bad, dirty jokes. Writing Partner rules at those.
ME: I don’t know which is worse the fact you are telling these jokes or that I have heard them all before!
The day went on. Adventure and I were able to go on another grocery trip (more Skymiles for him!) . Our Craft table ruled.
AD.’S FRIEND: Oh, Jollyranchers.
AD: What?
AF: Do you have Jollyranchers in England?
AD: I believe it’s a sexual position there.
AF: What?
WP: He’s making it up.
AD: No, it’ like…
(starts tai chi like pose)
ME: Oh my god, don’t start posing! That’s a visual I need no where NEAR my mind.
AF: No, no, I need this. I can’t imagine.
WP: He’s making it up.
AD: Wait, where’s the cooler?
(Ad. takes and straddles cooler)
AD: So this is the woman.
WP: Which side is the anus?
ME: Ack!
AD: This one. And then it’s like you have the legs up here, but furthest up, and you put a… a tie around the neck—
AF: A tie?
AD: Yeah, around the neck and then it’s like a rancher that’s jolly…
AF: Not for the one with the tie—
ME: Tie on the neck.
AF: Eactly.
WP: He’s making it up.
At the end of the day, Adventure and his friend helped pack up my car and then they took off. I am sad tomorrow Adventure and Writing Partner won’t be on set. They are only back on Monday and Tuesday. EMO TEARS. So. Africa will be there tomorrow though, so I guess things will be fun.
Anyhow, this has gone on for so long, but everything was just so delightful I love the people I know so, so, so much. <3
suddenly i was @ 12:03 am
(no feathers)
friday, january 20, 2006
OH MY GOD. Does it ever stop? I was up until about 7:30 this morning, I went to bed until 10, then I ran to school, signed paperwork, loaded the equipment truck, met the costume designer, met with London Girl for fabrics, looked up images, I am writing some more right now—I don’t even know. All I want is a nap HARD CORE because I have Craft Shopping with Adventure in 2 hours, but I still have more extra scenes to write. I hope he’s still coming. Back when I was naïve and thought I could do things, I told him it wasn’t necessary if he didn’t want to come, but now I hope he does because I need someone to keep me awake in the car.
I DETEST PRODUCTION. WHY DO PEOPLE MAKE MOVIES?!
suddenly i was @ 04:55 pm
(no feathers)
thursday, january 19, 2006
Hey! I am teamed for Cycle 3. I am working with my new director again. It's going to be a breeze. Now I don't have to worry about stress for the project. We both are like this: "Cycle projects don't matter. I want to work on thesis/my feature. I want the last one to be 3 minutes long."Should I be offended no one else asked me?
I hope this ends up being fun.
suddenly i was @ 11:37 am
(no feathers)
wednesday, january 18, 2006
Oh I haven’t updated in an age. So much has happened! For starters: Guildenstern. My beautiful iMac? He’s at the doctor’s! Something very odd was happening to him and his screen went rainbow and shakey and it was so terrifying I had to run all the way to the Genius Bar and buy a new mouse for my laptop.
Today was the most terrific lazy day of all time. This week has been brutal work wise. This weekend I am shooting, but we are still cranking away at the script. Last night I had a meeting which went until 2:30 AM. It came at the end of a three-all-nighters-in-a-row binge and I just couldn’t cope to stay up until 5 again (even though I totally did). This s morning I woke up and for good measure my director called to make sure I was alive. As I lay there in my bed, clear up off the ground covered with thick layers of blankets and all 4 of my pillows I realized: I didn’t want to leave my bed.
Then I struck me.
I didn’t have to.
I HAVE A LAPTOP.
Out I whipped my laptop and worked soundly until one. It’s even more glorious because of my WFI network (named Denmark, if you ever see it on your list) allows me to aim to Casey at work and say, “I am going to take a 15 minute nap!” I also discovered my remote for my iPod sound system thing, works through walls, so I totally can play music and skip songs and all the like, without ever moving from my bed.
Yay, Apple whore!
So after several hours of snuggly work, I then ripped myself from my nest and went to school for a class dedicated to Narnia. I didn’t particularly want to see the film again, but I really actually LOVE the beginning of the film. I think the Lucy/Tumnus meeting is just spectacular on all levels: wrong chemistry, suspense, wonder. The film was worth a second viewing just for the first act.
I made several rude remarks, this one was the hit though.
ASLAN (to Peter): You will consider what I have asked of you, Peter?
ME (at top volume): It’s just a couple of pictures,
Of course right at this moment I took a swig of my apple juice. As the meanings of my words sank in I almost spat all over the poor production designers in front of me. I was sitting next to Bday and we could not stop giggling.
Later I recycled my joke from last time.
(Aslan walks in the sand)
BDAY: But there were only one set of prints!
TUMNUS: Don’t worry Lucy, you will see him again.
ME: Christmas 2008.
I think I said that remark very loudly because two rows up enjoyed a laugh.
The second the credits rolled up, Bday turned to me—
BDAY: So, the little girl and the goat man hook up, right?
ME: Is it so very, very wrong if I say, “I hope so!”
It’s true through, the two actors have SUCH chemistry, perviness aside. They are by far the most interesting aspect of the film.
Why wasn’t Lucy just made Queen of Narnia? She was the best of all the siblings. She could aim better than the boys, she was the kindest—stupid Peter for being male and the eldest, somehow becomes, “THE MAGNIFICENT.”
After Narnia, I met up with Adventure and gave him some ride some place to meet his old T.A. from undergraduate. I was a little sad we had to miss the editor of Narnia speak (we lost the last 15 minutes because it went over), but it’s all right. I also wanted to go to the Apple Store to get Guildenstern, but we plotted to turn that errand into an adventure instead, so I guess it’s an even trade off. Going happy places is so much better with company.
Oh and PEE ESS. When I become supreme female ruler of the universe and am allowed to section off the bad males and put them into the pen so they can keep from trouble they are TWO males from AFI who will escape this fate: Shades and Adventure, because I was freezing and they were the only ones to offer a jacket.
Come on, let’s hear it.
AW.
Shades dropped his jacket on my shoulders, but then he started shaking so much because it was very cold so I put it back on him,
SHADES: Whatever happened to chivalry!
YAWNs. I am still very tired. Tomorrow I actually have things to attend. I will have to regale you further with Sayyes’ visit and my Super Nova Friday the 13th.
suddenly i was @ 11:22 pm
(no feathers)
friday, january 13, 2006
Happy Friday the 13th!
suddenly i was @ 12:23 pm
(no feathers)
thursday, january 12, 2006
YAAAAAAWN.Last night I went to bed at 8:30.
Yeah.
Which is why I woke up at 6 AM this morning. I don’t know why I was so tired! Actually I do, I have done nothing but work since arriving here about a week ago. The earliest I have gone to bed was about 2:30, otherwise, it’s been a good week of all-nighters. I don’t count sleeping at my desk for three hours as going to bed!
Yesterday was funnish sort of day. After a hundred months of being here, I finally to the gym. Hoo boy, the gym just proved I can have adventures all by myself if I want to. First I somehow blinked and missed the street it was on, so I drove way, way past where it was. I hit a street called Highland, which as far as I am concerned is the end of California as I have never driven past it and said, “Crap nards.” I then decided I saw the street I was after always when I was on Santa Monica. “Perhaps,” I mused, “This is one of those Hell.A. street vortex types of situations, despite what Mapquest tells me.”
So to Santa Monica I was. I drove and drove and finally came upon the street, turned up and discovered not only my gym, but had I turned down from Hollywood (which is what Mapquest wanted me to do) I would have had to have made a LEFT TURN into the parking structure and you know how left turns are in CA.
Parking was angst. People it’s NOT ALLOWED to take up 1.5 parking spaces.
Once in the gym, it was like an episode of I Love Lucy. First I had problems scanning my card.
ME: This way.
GUY: No.
ME: (puts it in that way).
GUY: Other way.
ME: This way? (puts it in the same wrong way)
Then there was the oops-I-forgot-a-towel-where-are-the-paper-ones leg of the adventure. I don’t know why A. they didn’t have it out, B. why the ladies’ room was so impossible to find, because I that was the place I went looking for, thinking it would have paper towels.
Once I finally had a paper towel (really, insert a good 10 minutes of me wandering like a moron, up and down, up and down) it was too late to wipe down the treadmill (sorry for my sweat Asian Lady who got on after me!) and I only had about 20 minutes before I had to get back home and prepare for the day’s seminar.
I wound up the gym visit with a contraption called, “The Butt Blaster” (I don’t know whether to laugh or be sick) then went out to my car.
Only to find out the exit was on the other side.
And you had to pay to get out.
In tokens.
ME: Where do you get tokens?
So I reparked and went in and asked this of the front desk man. He told me there was a machine in the parking structure and I would need about a dollar.
Well, because I am so boss I had about 9 dollars in dollar coins, so this was ok.
Or not.
The machine didn’t take dollar coins!
Like a beggar I ran to the parking lot guard asking if they could break my coin. The answer was no, but I could go inside and ask the desk there.
So back in I went, P.S. I have to scan my card everytime I enter, so when whoever checks the entry list is going to see my name come up a million times in rapid succession, found a bill at the juice bar, went out to the token machine, received three tokens, went back to my car, asked the guard how many tokens got me out of the garage (1) and then FINALLY was off.
Adventures, ala Solo.
The rest of my afternoon was spent making myself look human so I could get to this seminar. I don’t like seminars, they aren’t like class. I have a seminar once every four days or something and unless I sit next to my friends I see NO ONE because I only really see people when at AFI. For example, here were people I didn’t get a chance to talk to or see yesterday: R., I., Bday, Shades, Adventure. At least I sat next to Canada Lad and nearish Canada Lass and I lied a bit I had about 4 seconds of conversation with Adventure afterward (he had meetings). I was so bored I didn’t want to go home, so I just stuck around talking to whoever would talk to me. I had a short meeting with Glinda and Brazil (my new director and producer) then spent an hour or so talking to So. Africa. What a good lad!
Then I came home and it was quite amazing because I just fell asleep. I should have known my boredom was actually extreme tiredness. I did have terrible dreams. I had a dream Adventure shot me in the back! It only went in an inch, but I was on the ground bleeding all over the place. It was an accident and he kept apologizing as over AFIers ran up—but how awful. I think it may have been a nasty combination of the CSI Writers talking about bullets at the seminar last night and being too warm, here is an interpretation but emo tears. I am telling him he murdered me in my dream. I also had a dream my Old Producer was going to leave AFI.
Which leads us to this morning. I woke up at the crack of dawn (6AM) took care of all my random emailings until about 8:30, then went back to bed for a while because WHAT’S THE POINT, it’s so boring these conservatory weeks.
suddenly i was @ 06:05 pm
tuesday, january 10, 2006
OMGz.So, Canada Lass apparently has begun to formulate a plan for the Sundance Film Festival, she wants to go. So I get this call from Adventure...
AD: Canada Lass has this idea to go to Sundance, but since you're the Utah expert...
[INSERT: Me going over boring logistical information about the festival because I'm obsessed and go every year]
ME: And don't PAY for anything, I have all my connections there, people you can stay with--
AD: Come with!
ME: Eep.
AD: Do you want to?
ME: I WOULD KILL TO, my friend Casey and I go every year.
A trip with two friends from school for Sundance would be just about the most amazing thing of all time. They have all ready found some really great priced tickets, if they end up being serious I very well may go along.
SCREAMS INTO HANDS.
Casey, why aren't you online! WE MIGHT STILL HAVE OUR SUNDANCE DAY!
suddenly i was @ 11:50 pm
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
In the meanwhile, remember how I said when I first was back the only two people in my life were Adventure and Glinda? A sampling of my email inbox.
This was funnier when seen in addition to my voice mail, missed and recent calls lists which all featured these same two people.
I showed this to Glinda and she said, “Well at least two people will notice if you go missing.”
suddenly i was @ 11:31 am
monday, january 9, 2006
Well I’m in.Today was registration for second semester. I was so worried my money wouldn’t show up, but it magically did! I now I am magically thousands of dollars richer in borrowed money. I was all paid up, I was given my schedule (no one chooses a schedule here, it is all laid out) and then I went about and hugged people.
The first person I saw today was I. The next person was Canada Lad. Those guys are on either side of me when the fellows are put in alphabetical order. I was so happy and gave both hugs. I wandered upstairs and the first person I saw was So. Africa. I ran and hugged him and he asked how Napoleon was.
Come to think, so did I.
Actually, so did Adventure.
Everyone loves Napoleon the Fancy Guppy.
I. was hiding from his team because all ready his group is having trouble. Last night he was forced to write two drafts. So he was very upset. While on the stairs Bday found us, R. found us and eventually Canada Lass.
Ah, today was a nice day.
After our orientation there was a two hour break. I was standing with Adventure, Writing Partner, Canada Lass and So. Africa chit-chatting it up. I was talking more to So. Africa who was talking to his director, when I looked over and noticed Canada Lass was on the ground in tears. Adventure and Writing Partner were comforting here and as soon as the wayward director disappeared, I leaned over as well. By the time I made my lean, Canada Lass had collected herself, but you could still tell she was very bothered. So I went off and got some of my lunch for her.
When I got back, we were all still on the stairs. Adventure stood up and said he was going to the library to read a book.
WP: What book?
AD: Any book.
Adventure then grabbed Writing Partner’s book and began to read aloud. All of us on the ground listened. The story was set in Wales and was very funny and Adventure got to say a few Welsh words. When he stopped everyone was very cross because we were getting into the story and it was so nice to hear him read.
CL: Keep reading.
WP: Look she asked, you can’t tell her no.
AD: Ah…
We had him read for at very least an hour and made it through several chapters. Other writers came and went, stopping for short moments at a time. Other discipline fellows would walk by and mutter, “Writers!”
It was just so nice. Canada Lass put her head on Writing Partner’s shoulder and he made she was comfortable. I sat in the shade but looked out over all the flowers and trees of the campus. So. Africa brought back a plate of fries and offered them to everyone.
SO.A: Would you like some chips?
As the hour wound down, more people came and we had to stop our reading circle, but we all agreed it was just the most wonderful way to spend an afternoon and we should start a little readings group. When Canada Lass left, I leaned to Adventure and asked why she was so upset. No need to detail out here, but basically there was a death in the family and another family member was touch-and-go in the hospital.
I feel very bad for her and hope everything turns out all right. I think it’s very unfair she had to be here for registration if she wanted to be there with her family.
The hour struck and everyone went into the screening room for an orientation. Adventure came was sitting by, but he looked very unwell.
AD: I just need this to start so I have something to distract me.
Canada Lad came and sat between us, but no sooner than he had, Adventure stood quickly and left. Canada Lad and I saved his seat for as long as he could, but Glinda eventually came and took it.
When the orientation was over, Adventure was out in the hall looking broken. I asked if he needed a ride and he said yes, because he had just been sick.
Adventure has a stomach problem. It’s all stress related, but if he gets slightly stressed, he gets very physically ill. Worse, though, when he feels himself getting stressed, he gets nervous about getting sick, so it’s a vicious cycle.
I took him home and told him to lie down before he met up with Writing Partner again for scripting.
Does any one have suggestions for a nervous stomach like that? I mean, I get heartburn when I stress, but I can usually manage it with breathing techniques or lying down for 20 minutes.
Despite those two sad things, I felt very warm and nice today. I think the people I know here are some of the most fantastic people and I wish you all could meet them because they are so amazing. Tomorrow Sayyes comes into town and I’m very excited. I hope she calls me when I am at school so I can let her talk to people I know and also, Cousbian, did you guys want to have a sleep over one night?
<3 Everyone.
suddenly i was @ 10:10 pm
Well kids, I just got back to Hollywood. I have been in constant contact with my New Director (whose LJ nickname will now be Glinda) and we had Adventure contact—guess who all ready has grocery shopping plans scheduled for later today?
I drove down with my father and we had a grand time. We listened to great music the whole way over. My dad decided he needed to modernize his tastes and now had absconded with my sister’s iPod shuffled and filled it with Moldy Peaches, Adam Green Bright Eyes, The White Stripes, Art Brut and Death Cab for Cutie.
P.S. I never fully listen to songs when I am just playing them around home and in the car I played “Rusty Gun of Milan” by Art Brut.
ME: I like this song.
ME IN MIND, REALIZING TWO MINUTES LATER: Omg. This song is the most sexual thing I have ever heard.
Rather awkward. I was going to upload, but I am too lazy. Remind me, please?
But the drive was lovely. By the time we hit the border, the bright blue expanse of sky was brilliant; filled with bright pinks and oranges and streaked with blinding white jet trails. The sky collapsed slowly and gave away to the purple of dusk when the lights of the cities came into view. We got into town and collapsed. The next day it was off to see more of my awesome family at the Casa da Katy for a stint. It was just a lovely minibreak, even though I didn’t get to see everyone for very long. My aunt is the winner for not killing off my aquatic roommate while babysitting. Napoleon is in fine shape, even though his house was a mess! I LOVE MY AUNT.
The next morning I had nice phone call from Adventure and we plotted grand schemes with mattresses.
ME: Hey, does your bed still need a mattress?
AD: Yes!
ME: … because we have a truck here which can totally twin mattress and you know I like to help people.
AD: Actually it’s a full-size, but yes, that’s great!
ME IN MIND: Crap-nards. We can’t fit a full.
So obviously my good intentions died on the vine.
After a lunch out, my dad and I took off and returned down my way. We changed out the oil in my car, I had to call poor Adventure and admit to him I was unable to fit a full size into my car and I had jumped the gun with my offer, thinking he had a twin-size. Afterward, we went home and went on my – OH NOES. I just took a shower and I missed two calls: My Dad, who is lost on the 5 and Diana II!
From the Future: Whew, Dad is safe and have conversed Diana II. Whew. That was close.
Back to the banal description of my life:
(Insert an hour here).
Shh… I am having a meeting with Glinda, my new director. She is reading the roughest draft alive.
This entry is going to span a hundred hours! It’s about six hours since I told you to shush. Ironically, however, I am now waiting for my second meeting of the day with Glinda. I just got back from the first adventure of 2006 with Adventure. It was well enough. He was in good shape, even though he had such sad happenings during the break. His visit to Canada was nice as well, which is good to hear. Just in case it wasn’t so nice, I had brought him an E.T. wallet found by Katy during our vintage toy shopping as a care-package sort of gift. He seemed to like it and it wasn’t all ready in his collection, so yay.
We went to all sorts of places: Target, Best Buy, Staples and OF COURSE the grocery store, for it is truly the place to end all other places. We did as we normally do. He found very good deals, I threw things in the cart without exactly consulting the price. We did fun things like: he stands on the cart while I weave it around or we dig in the ice cream bin for the best flavors. I ended up with a surge protector, 2 pillows, a new ink cartridge and sticky tack—but he accidentally took the sticky tack home.
ME: A likely story.
Another 4 hours have just past. I just finished my meeting with Glinda and just got off the phone with Adventure. Apparently, there are only these two people in my life. The meeting went well. I am slightly disturbed I think I might be pulling an all-nighter and registration is tomorrow. The term isn’t even started and I am up all night!
Alas.
I am VERY excited to see people tomorrow. I hope all goes well. I have no idea when my money comes and am terrified somehow it isn’t going to work and I will be out in the dust (though speaking of which, Adventure has a hold placed on his money for the next two weeks).
I best end this entry before something else comes up.
TA!
suddenly i was @ 12:06 am
tuesday, january 3, 2006
It's kind of sad, Casey leaves town and suddenly after half a dozen one-liner posts, I realize nothing happens when she's gone because I no longer know anyone here!This said, hurrah for Betsy because she helps me with Painter! I love you!
YES. The illustrious and needlessly complicated creative program you've all heard of. I have, since PAINTER 3 been overwhelmed by the application. I have never, ever, ever been able to figure out anything with it. Ever! I had given up! Then suddenly, tonight, out of no where-- I figured out where the brushes were! It only took about 8,00 years- but I made something with colour in Painter.
Now, it is almost five AM. I am listening merrily to the Scarecrow sing about brains and wondering, if I was to cast my own "Wizard of Oz" with me as Dorothy, who would everyone else at AFI be? So far, I figure So. Africa will be Cowardly Lion, Adventure the Tin Man and Shades as Scarecrow. My two directors would be the good and bad witches.
When a man's an empty kettle, he should be on his metal... la la.
Even though he doesn't go to AFI, Bruce the Poodle would be Toto.
suddenly i was @ 05:50 am
sunday, january 1, 2006
Sometimes one rings in a New Year and it is so wild and fun and filled with joy- you feel tugs at your heart when you must let go of the past to move forward, yet you know you must for it is the best thing to do—and plus! Look at all the fun. The New Year promises to be awesome.Then there’s 2006. Which was heralded by probably the lamest sort of false entry ever. Powerless.
The electricity blown out due to severe weather, our lights went out before 10 PM and remained out until well after the New Year. It wasn’t bad, but when you have bought your little treats and have lined up bad 50’s sci-fi films to watch with your parents because you know ZERO peoples at home anymore, it’s rather disheartening when the power blows out and you just spend the whole night sitting around with candles. We just sat on the couches with a bunch of little flickering lights, not even a clock to tell us when the New Year came to be.
So… let’s hope that’s not a metaphor for the rest of 2006, rustic and charming as it is.
suddenly i was @ 03:29 pm