The Film Stories Continue – Part 3

Kim couldn’t make it this night so I stepped in first with this post:

12:27 a.m.

Hello and Goodnight!

I canNOT tell you how much you all mean to all of us. I'm not feeling deeply appreciative because I'm rummy and it's late. I am simply keenly, KEENLY aware how all of this could not take place without support. Diane has worked BEYOND BELIEF and brought her three fantastic helpers with her to try and ready our 70's house (NO SMALL FEAT!!!!!) She has personally sewed and covered our windows and OH SO MUCH MORE. Marie, Jason, and Samantha showed up tonight just when we desperately needed fresh horses to help us complete the impossible. Tim smiled and did everything he was supposed to in all the scenes today. Teresa made us look beautiful with hair and make-up and encouraged us with words and laughs and when she had to leave, Maddie, another angel of mercy showed up and stayed longer than we could have ever expected. Her presence encouraged our main actress, Jessica, and Angela, another AMAZING assistant. Yesterday was emotionally wracking for Jessica and today was even harder on only two hours of sleep (very heavy scenes). Claire and Eli were wonderful extras and Eli's goofballing kept one of our crew quite entertained as she watched him in the monitor. Christy and Randy were everywhere all at once and brought Katie's Mustang, and Katie!, and drove in our pick-up scene. Karla Baker helped Kim with food and kept us all smiling with her beautiful, bright face. And she also saved my make-up by escorting me to the walk-in fridge (axe included in case she locked me in!). :) Christina brought us FOOD and smiles and hugs. Reginia helped corral and feed the masses and gave us her INCREDIBLE Nacoya to be Hannah's Personal Assistant (NO.SMALL.JOB.!) Lori Myers has shopped for us on a ONE MINUTE notice and is filling our 70's house extra room with her moving boxes. (Thank you for moving, Lori and Mark!). And I know ALL of you are praying for us because I can't tell you the miracles of crew and help and amazingness (not a word) that take place daily. If I'm missing anyone I apologize but throw myself on your mercy as you consider my sad mental state. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!

Please continue to pray for Shaun and Hannah. They had an hour-an-a-half sleep last night and five hours tonight will seem like a lot compared to that but it's not nearly enough. Sleep is the most desperately needed thing. Our first call is at 5:30 tomorrow morning - wait, that's later THIS morning - out at Harriet and Bob's. I am headed to the 70's house and could use any and all help getting it ready to start set-ups by 10a.m. These are our needs:

I need one person to pick up boxes from Lori M. - on her front porch - and have them to us by 8:30 for staging.

I need someone to shop for groceries - I need a few boxes of non-descript cereal, a half gallon of milk, instant coffee, loaf of bread, peanut butter, some bananas, lettuce, a watermelon. Just stuff to stick in the fridge (and maybe lunch box) that won't violate Trademark laws.

I need silverware but can probably borrow some from Harriet. I need an old rug for in front of the kitchen sink.

I need someone who can pick up photos - or take a cruiser - to a Walgreen's, etc. and get photos developed in an 8x10 format and stuff them into cheap looking black or wood frames and have them to the 70's house by 10:00a.m. Hannah will send them wherever you tell her to and you can pick them up and by cheap, ugly drug store frames.

Rod, please bring your pants and not the ones you're wearing! The 34's are the ones.

We need an old nightgown - like a sleeveless one, nylon, from the 70's like our mother's wore. We need 80's paraphernalia for a teenage wall if anyone has anything like that. We also need a couple of old robes to choose from - I mean ratty - and/or house dresses or mumu-type things for our depressed mom.

As you can see, a few things have hit us suddenly and we'll do the best we can. I will be available by phone from 5:30 on if anyone wants to call me and can take care of any of these needs. I will be at the 70's house or running around like a crazy woman somewhere.

Thanks again and finally I say, goodnight!

Love,

Robynn

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Yours truly in my scene with our actor, Michael Barnard (who just this week landed work with a brand new tv series! Congrats, Michael!). This is not a “star is born moment” for ME - only the heat from the star and the sweat that accompanied it in my mom’s old car with no a.c.! But even worse was Henry, our Audio Engineer (front center, kneeling). Right after this he had to crawl in the BACK seat without even the benefit of an open window (and it was over 100 degrees that day), and mic the scene while he nearly laid on the floorboards. He never stopped smiling and being pleasant, however. He’s now known as St. Henry.

St. Henry:

Angela, our all around cowgirl who could do ANYTHING, and did, entertains our kid-extras between filming scenes:

Reginia, our sweet and thoughtful friend, pictured here with Kim, getting ready for the feeding frenzy:

Diane, our “point me in the direction and I’ll do it gal,” gets her hair done for her scene as an 80’s teacher extra, by our smiling and joking hairdresser and friend, Teresa, who kept us laughing (as did her funny guy, Eli – see below). Diane was in character because she IS a teacher – both public school and as a homeschooling mom. This prep is probably the longest she got to sit down all week. I lovingly call her Mary Poppins because she can pull ANYTHING out of that bag of hers!:

See? And we LOVED her 80’s glasses!

Annalise, Angie, and Hannah, and I decide what’s needed to dress our school room. One of the many hats several of us wore as the “Art Department.” Hannah squeezed this moment in between her Assistant Director duties – WHICH.WERE.MASSIVE.

Another fabulous make-up artist, our dear Maddie, gets the kids ready. The boys just, uh, LOVED this. This is Andrew, Diane’s son, getting the old “brush off:”

Tim gets the same treatment. Don’t smile too much, Eli. You’re next!:

Marie, (Tim’s mom), and Gretchen, both dear friends, were ready, willing, and able. Gretchen was an extra (teacher) and loaned us her children, and Marie and her husband, Jason, tore apart sets and came at the drop of a hat – oh, and ALSO loaned us their children! Both their older kids are in our prom scene:

I had to throw this one in because it still amazes me:

Hunter (my son) should NEVER have a megaphone. This is Ben, one of his best friends and Diane’s oldest son. He and Hunter learned Grip duties all week and were GREAT hands (without the megaphone):

Melissa, Kim’s oldest daughter, in 80’s garb for a driving scene. This girl saved my feet. More on that later:

Christy, The COOL!, ready for her driving scene in her 60’s Mustang:

And finally, the legs and feet of the Assistant Director and Director. They were also part of the Art Department the night before and Hannah’s still wearing it. Check out the feet as well. My dirty little girl. Hey, showers are for people who have time on their hands:

©Copyright 2010

I’m sorry I’m not visiting all of you right now. I can’t tell you how crazy it’s been here. I’m too busy telling you how crazy it was during filming! I’m finishing THIS post at just past 2:00a.m. I will sleep after surgery. For three weeks.

The Film Stories Continue (With Pics) – Part 2

The office scene was shot on the first day and here we are planning and strategizing a million things that were incredibly important so, of course, I can’t remember what they were. Check out the intensity on all the faces, though – even the little ones. And Nacoya with the pressed cheeks? Priceless. (That’s my head right over Hannah’s – on the far right - and that’s our dear Kim right over me. She needs to start a blog – in her spare time. Okay, Kim, stop laughing!)

Ready, willing, and ABLE. Our FAITHFUL friend, Diane (center) was always there and did anything and everything asked. She brought her kiddos, too, Andrew (left) and Emily (to her immediate right – Ben isn’t pictured here). On the far right is Kim’s daughter, Annalise, who was an AMAZING right arm to me the whole time. That girl can do anything. I’d steal her in the middle of the night but Kim would know where to look.

Here she is in action:

Hannah has a moment:

Nacoya, her friend and Production Assistant Extraordinaire, does too. I love the “ARE you KIDDING me?” face.

Zeina with Miss Emily, (another of Kim’s daughters) prove there were moments of levity:

Amid the brevity:

Setting up the office shot – Evan (center), our Genius Cameraman and Chief Lighting Technician, should have run, right here at this point, while there was still time to save himself from endless days and sleepless nights.

Evan’s closest friend. Not the pretty blonde (Hi Susan!), the camera.

Matt (left) and Hannah knew each other from school. They didn’t know they’d be working together until they met on set. Matt was a very capable and intuitive Grip (Key Grip? Best Boy? Best Dancer? – I can never keep all these terms straight) who also stuck with us nearly 24/7.

And, of course, there was John (Grip? Key Grip? Best Boy? Boy Wonder?) who, along with Evan’s deadpan looks, kept us laughing when he wasn’t suffering from heat stroke. (I have a better picture, John, but your underwear was showing. You're welcome.)

And finally, there was our beautiful Jessica, who played the adult “Anna.”

I skipped out to a doctor’s appointment I couldn’t miss and frantically called my aunt to come down and play an extra in the office scene. She heard my desperation and agreed and was there in 45 minutes. Because I was gone, there is no picture of her but we’ll see you in the movie, Aunt Sandy. I heard you were terrific!

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Kim wrapped up our day for us again and I tagged on:

12:19 a.m.

Hello to everyone,

Well, we survived the first day with only a few mishaps and some very important lessons:

Lesson #1 - NEVER leave home without your cell phone charger. By the end of the day, Rodric, Robynn, and myself all had dead/dying cell phones. Only my husband thought to bring the car charger for his phone:) We have all been constantly on the phone! Some of you may have been relieved when mine and Robynn's no longer had battery power:)

Lesson #2 - When using an unfamiliar oven, do NOT leave to go shopping at Costco and assume that all will be well. I did and it was not.

I popped my frozen lasagnas in the church oven and went to buy more groceries. While out, I called my dear friend Diane to check on their progress. She did not have the heart to tell me that they had BURNED to a crisp in WAY less time than the directions stated. Thank goodness for DaVinci's pizza!

Lesson #3 - Never underestimate the power of a good sense of humor which allows you to laugh at unforeseen problems instead of losing it! (although I did have a momentary lapse over the lasagna - ask Diane).

So, as I type, work is still going on in Easton. I managed to get Emily and Callie to bed by 10:15, but the rest of my family has yet to return. I decided against baking, so if anyone wants to contribute dessert tomorrow night, it is all yours!

Thank-you to Reginia for giving me the laugh of the day when I saw you in that wonderful little short, ruffled skirt (I never did find out where it came from) because you had to give our actress your business casual pants.

As Robynn said, you literally gave the clothes off your behind for the movie - lol!

If any of you have the time or desire to be an extra, I believe Robynn sent out the complete schedule. If you prefer behind the scene help set dressing, or even just want to drop off cookies or a bag of chips, let one of us know.

Thanks so much for your incredible love, prayers, help, and friendship. I'm going to bed now!

Love, Kim

My Tag:

2:12 a.m.

Once again, AMEN to all that KIM said! I never knew this fat old lady could still move and groove this fast and this long but maybe it's just my swan song.

Shaun, Hannah, Annalise, Melissa, Ryan, Rod, and I all worked out at the Easton house until about 20 minutes ago. Miraculously, no one is yelling at each other even though we are bleary eyed with exhaustion. Rod will be laying carpet in the mock-up apartment in way too few hours. The camera crew shows up at 8:00. We need the twin bed brought over from the 70's house in the morning. We have a table but could use a chair and maybe a little side table (fairly modern - this scene takes place in the here and now). We need someone who might be willing to just see to it that it looks like she lives there, though it is supposed to be pretty sparse. The kids are MASSIVELY busy trying to coordinate the actors and crew and the other nine million things that throw a monkey wrench in the works on a daily basis so they can't set design at the same time. It probably doesn't sound like it would be much but you honestly have to see it to believe the energy and logistics of this whole thing.

I will be out at my mom's collecting items for the 70's house and cannot be in Easton until later in the afternoon because of that. I had planned to do it today but was drafted into service at People's for today's work. Tomorrow I will get a gun and shoot my phone so it ACTUALLY dies!

We appreciate all that has been done for us and with us and are frankly amazed that we still HAVE any friends. Please pass the word about the extras needed and the mid-80's and before cars that are needed on Wednesday morning. THANK YOU!

Love,

Robynn

©Copyright 2010

The Film Stories Begin – Part 1

Hi All! Many of you seemed interested in our behind-the-scenes communiqués that went forth each night after long days of filming, or set dressing, or planning, or all of the above. My daughter, Hannah (Bo), and her friend, Shaun, created this project. Shaun had the concept and approached Hannah nearly a year ago about working with him and, perhaps, writing it, though he thought he wanted to give that a try first. They are both proud geeks who love the creative and technical aspects of all that would be involved. Shaun realized writing wasn’t his first passion – but he LOVED the technical and directorial aspect of the work. Consequently, he asked Hannah to write the story, screenplay, and be Assistant Director. The film is now in post-production and that is a creative, lengthy, and intense process in itself, though it doesn’t take nearly as many bodies to make it happen. Logistically, it’s more manageable but it is an expensive process and incredibly key to telling the story the way both of these young people want to see it told.

And did I ever learn a lot about making a film. I will NEVER watch a movie the same way again. This is especially true where my own efforts were concentrated: consulting, set-dressing (exciting and horrible work when you’re on a tiny budget and an even tinier time frame), caring for actors, finding movie extras and extra crew to help out, photography, planning/coordinating, and chauffeuring. And did I mention wardrobe nightmares, not just for me but for anyone who was turned to and asked, “Where’s the (fill-in-the-blank)!? Who knew wardrobe should actually be a SERIOUSLY assigned job (it was technically assigned to no one and everyone) because outfits have to reappear in subsequent scenes? I do wardrobe at home. It involves telling kids to put on whatever’s fairly clean and hasn’t been walked on, that much. That doesn’t work on a movie set. Who knew? You WILL drive all over town to look for ONE item that someone may have inadvertently taken home because its loss changes everything and you will have complete and utter cardiac failure over that small fact.

It also dawns on me now why movies cost approximately eight trillion dollars to produce. They actually hire individual people to carry out EACH job that needs doing so that it can be done well. Most people involved in THIS project did at least ten different things, like my dear friend Kim, Shaun’s mom, who was and is the CFO and ultimate caterer, telephone operator, chauffeur, last-minute-change facilitator, wardrobe consultant and gatherer, and stand-in actress for running lines (along with more things than anyone will ever know), and also mother of five children who have OTHER lives and activities they are involved in other than THE film.

Our days were long and many of us worked 20-21 hours a day, and that’s not even hyperbole. And most of us worked for free. And I’m talking seriously professional people (well, apart from ME) who are actually and usually PAID, really WELL, for the services they render in these capacities. But they all loved the project, the film, the statement it makes, the people involved, and well, being able to say they survived. If we were Navy Seals, this would have been “hell” week and we would now be able to swim to Antarctica and rescue everyone stationed there whether they want to be rescued or not. Instead, when we were done, we went to bed, thereby proving that we are NOT Navy Seals.

So, here we go. The first letters are pretty straightforward but they digress as the week, and the hours they were written, progresses. I will include some pics from the set, too, starting with the next letter.

The first part is a letter from Kim, Shaun’s mom, that I tagged on to and that’s how this daily mail got started that went out to each friend who volunteered to help or was interested (they all regret that now). I’m including Kim’s letter because, a. She’s a good writer. b. I can. c. She captures our sense of desperation and utter reliance on God and his provision. And he DID provide in HUGE ways, not the least of which was: NO.ONE.GOT.SICK.OR.INJURED. Amazing.

Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 11:11 PM

Subject: ready to roll (almost)

Hi Everyone,

Well, it's been a very busy week-end with both major progress and setbacks, but God is in control and we will start cameras rolling tomorrow!

Rod and Annalise arrived home shortly after midnight (from Hollywood – editor’s note) on Friday with all of the equipment and Rod's brother Russell went to LA for us today to get the camera (thank goodness for family!). We had our first cast and crew gathering tonight, complete with a read-through, and had a great time getting acquainted. God has brought a lot of really great, talented people our way!

We are still trying to dress a house for the 1970's, but have until Thursday to do so. An area where I will need help in is with food.

I need desserts every day and salads, too. Wednesday we will have our largest cast (50-60) including children and extras for a school scene. One of us can pick up anything you'd like to prepare. If any of you, or your kids, would like to be extras, let us know. We need extras on Wed, Friday and Saturday. Contact Robynn or myself and we'll give you the specifics.

Again, thanks so much for your love and support. Please pray for open doors and a chance to share God's love with those we're working with.

Love, Kim

THEN I TAGGED ON:

Yes and AMEN! to all that Kim said. We do need our friends! Kim and Rod have all this going on IN their home and at every home of every relative they've ever had, I'm pretty sure. Tomorrow, Reg and I (and you, too, Diane?) will be out in Easton at the house that will be used for the 70's scenes. I need someone, probably a couple of someone's, to contact Lori M. and pick up empty boxes they have left over from moving. Tim, we need two 8 ft. tables from the church if we could borrow them. We need them out at the Easton house if anyone can pick them up and deliver them. (Call Kim or Rod for address and directions.) If anyone has items (maybe from our parents' houses?) - I know I'm tapping my mom - from the 60's/70's era - clothing, bedding, magazines, paperbacks, pictures for the wall, dishes, curtains, nick nacks, rugs, lamps, etc. we are in desperate need of them. They will all be returned within a week. We also need 80's clothing if anyone's still hangin' on to that jacket with the shoulder pads and the dresses with the big belts!

The days are long and the eyes and shoulders of the parents of this team are droopin'! It's FAST AND FURIOUS! But if you can help in any way with food or know other friends who might be willing to lend a hand as an extra or just because they want to help, I don't think we can have too many at this point.

A shooting schedule will be forthcoming tomorrow so you will know where to go and when, when it works for you. Just for fun, plan to come by and see at least one scene being shot. The camera and crew and equipment are pretty amazing. (The Writer and Director aren't too bad, either!)

THANKS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS FOR YOUR LOVE, SUPPORT, AND PRAYERS!

Robynn

©Copyright 2010

Film at 11:00 (Maybe Later)

In case anyone is wondering, I will be absent for about a week or more. My daughter and her friend, Shaun, are making a film. Shaun thought of the concept last year and tapped Bo to help him. This has all turned into a major event. They plan to submit it for this year’s Sundance Film Festival in the Short Film category (15-20 minutes) and it has to be in by September 15th. Bo has written and adapted Shaun’s idea into a screenplay and Shaun is directing. The kids are amazing together and it was jaw-dropping to watch tens of thousands of dollars worth of rented film equipment arrive in a huge trailer yesterday. I canNOT believe how much there has been to this from location scouting to catering to set dressing to cast meetings to camera crew to OVERWHELM (not a long trip for me to take).

Everyone we can grab has been pressed into service. Shaun’s parents have worked tirelessly (even when extremely TIRED) and grandparents and aunts and uncles and FRIENDS are in high gear.

They have received financial backing in a near miraculous way. And the film has an incredible message. I’d like to write something funny and entertaining but honestly, I’m too tired to even spell tonight. Windows Live Writer (my format program) is yelling at me with every other word I attempt to wriette.

Our rear ends are draggin’. And it’s high gear again tomorrow very early.

They shoot everyday this week and how it will all come together is beyond my comprehension. Thankfully, no one relies on my comprehension.

Here is a working sketch of the concept art (Bo’s creation):

The actual art will follow after filming this week. The film centers around an unwanted daughter who is raised in a verbally abusive situation. But there’s hope! You should know there is hope. I can’t leave you hopeless.

So, follow along if you’d like and we’ll see how this all comes together. These are pics of them at casting last week with their Producer, Christine:

Bo will probably kill me for putting this one up because she was chewing ice but I thought it was cute:

Christine is a casting agent as well as an acting coach. She is British but has worked very hard to adopt a perfect American accent and has succeeded. (And here I’ve worked very hard to adopt a British accent – go figure.) She’s also a talented writer, artist, and musician. Why do artistic people always do several artsy things? You rarely find an artist who works in only one medium.

Anyway, this week will be insanely busy and I won’t be blogging. But I wanted you to know why and to tell you hello and goodbye and I’ll see you when the train slows down and I think I have a chance of surviving when I throw myself off!

Thinking of you all and keeping those of you with some serious struggles in my prayers. Truly.

XO!

©Copyright 2010