Like the yin and yang bracelet Stephanie gave me for my birthday our two pick up shooting days, Saturday and Sunday couldn't have been more opposite.
Saturday was just straight up mind numbingly stressful. I caught myself thinking "Really MJ, What the heck have you gotten yourself into!?" Definitely not uncommon to the experience of an indie filmmaking, everything that could go wrong went wrong. Tempers flared, feelings were hurt, schedules thrown out the window, shots had to be severally re-thought and loads of damage control Plan Bs put into action. Yet somehow at the end of the day we still got the shots we needed and nobody was dead. I call that a victory. I passed out on my still made bed around 2 am Sunday morning, my closing thoughts were simply prayers for peace and a better tomorrow. My prayers were answered.
Literally I couldn't have asked for a more drastic up swing in productivity and morale. Sunday went off without a hitch. Got on set and our lovely make up and hair supervisor Carice Eastin gave Steph's hair a much needed trim for the sake of continuity ON TOP of a WINDY parking garage. Yes, she is just that awesome. And then we went and filmed. Banged out the shot list, few tweaks here and there, some coaching for the right emotional intensity but besides that things ran like a well oiled machine.It was all a little surreal.
Check out the Vlog below for more details on how Sunday really restored my heart and reminded that even with the ups and downs I still wouldn't wanna be doing anything else with my life.
Dated November 14th, 2010
Pick ups, rather fantastic gory death shots, partying old school at my place with my film peeps and closest friends for my 18th birthday. Nov. 14th was a very successful day for me and the cast/crew of THE SAVING. Talking Picks Ups shots, artistic vision, publicity stunts, and why Stephanie should most definitely die in all the films she's cast in. She's really getting way too good at it. I think the best part was she ended up texting between takes while covered in blood. We make our own fun and it amuses me. :D
LESSONS LEARNED
1. Stuff falls out apart. It just does. Learn to pick up the pieces, pull up your bootstraps, lean on those who care about you and put one foot in front of the other. It does get better.
2. I will try my best to retain the tradition of consuming at least a double shot of espresso on set. Cause, you know, I'm all about traditions :D
3. My Crew/Cast have to be some of the most loving caring people a person could find themselves working with. I'm greatly blessed to able to have them be a part of my life.
4. I'm very much indebted to my mother for teaching me great photo composition. Her mentorship is a direct reflection of my shooting style.
5. Anything can be a publicity stunt. Use your blood covered female lead wisely and you might just secure yourself a some new Indiegogo backers. That and its wacky fun.
IN CONCLUSION: Filmmaking. Hell one day. Not so much the next. It flip-flops but I still love it.
