Trailer -- day four
Topic: Trailer
Here we are again. And it is damn cold this weekend. I learned how to dress rather warmly last weekend, but now it's even worse. I owe a great deal of gratitude to the person who invented thermal pants. In fact, in addition to thermal pants and jeans, I've been wearing a thermal shirt, a t-shirt, a fleece pullover, and a wool Levi jacket. Plus, one of those beanie-type caps, whatever they're called. For the second weekend in a row, I gave up my gloves to Rob, but he needs them much more than I do.

Unfortunately, I had to get to the cabins late. Today was Veteran's Day and daycare was closed. Jasmine took off work early but I still got out really late. Traffic was pretty light, though.

Before we left last week, I had asked Rob if he wanted me to make a list of possible shots that he could get off in case there was time. One of these was Kevin trying to get a gun out of an SUV, which Rob decided to do while James (our killer, The Terror) spent over two hours having prosthetics applied. So while that was being done, Rob took the opportunity to get this scene added to the roster. I missed most of it, but did get to see Jared (Kevin) scream like a little girl.

SIDELINE: I should have mentioned this last week, but in addition to all the great people working on our set, Kelly has really shone. He is the "lighting guy," but he's much more than that. He has an amazing truck, which you can find at www.allinonetruck.com (or www.kjhproductions.com). He has his own jib, a crapload of lighting equipment, walkie-talkies, and ... well, just look at his website. He even has simple stuff like Windex. The guy comes prepared. He was very professional, knew exactly what needed to be done, and didn't slack off for even a second. The first night, he looked like a ghostbuster (you had to see it) and at one point last weekend, he taught Barb and he meant by asking for a Hollywood Combo Triple with a Lollipop.

Not long after Kevin's scene arrived the moment we were all waiting for. James walked out in his full Terror outfit. He looked amazing ... not only was the wardrobe cool, but the prosthetics covering ihs face were amazing. It was quite strange having this monstrous form standing around, especially when James would start talking in a really squeaky voice.

Tonight belonged to the girls, particularly Alexis (Robin) and Alexandra (Jenn). They both had to tangle with The Terror. Honestly, Jamie Lee Curtis has nothing over these girls. Alexandra allowed herself to be pulled a few feet off the ground and even lost more than a few hairs when she yanked away from James' grip to make it more realistic. Alexis had the added nuisance of being in a thin shirt and underwear for at least 30-45 minutes in the freezing air. They both did a fantastic job at being frightened as hell. I also have to commend James, who was very good at soothing the girls' fears and keeping them at ease despite the emotions that they had to show.

One part of the shoot was particularly impressive. After watching Jenn get attacked, Paul and David lunge at The Terror. James choregraphed the action. Michael (Paul) ran at him first, James grabbed Michael's neck, more or less clotheslining him, and then Michael plunged onto his back hard. At least three or four times. Now, that's a guy who will hurt for his craft.

It's quite funny that Rob and I took great pains at crafting a story with characters whom the audience would like, with relationships that were real and dramatic. And what were we excited about shooting? Stabbings and death.

AFTERMATH

Today was long for a lot of people. Rob had arrived at around 1pm, so he had been working for about 13 hours by the time we wrapped at a little after 2am. We didn't get the lodge, so we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

But one very cool thing happened. Neil, who played Ronnie last weekend, had come up to hang out even though his part was finished last week and even brought up some food -- beef barley soup, sandwiches with raspberry relish (sounds weird, but it's great), and chocolate speckled almond angel food cake. You see, Neil is a chef ... in fact, he's been the private chef for both Elizabeth Taylor and Pierce Brosnan. And he never asked for anything in return ... I think the price of the food was worth hanging out with such a great group of people.

But Neil isn't staying at the cabins. He paid for a room at the Whispering Pines motel about fifteen minutes away. He offered everyone one of the two beds in his room, but none of the actors took it. So I jumped at the chance.