This was a fun episode to watch film, most of the two days filming it were spent in the gym of the school, where a contest between two basketball teams was taking place, and at the same time, Monk was trying to figure out who the killer was while co-coaching the team on which Natalie's daughter, Julie (Emmy Clarke), played.
Some of the basketball teams players were minors, but many were actors who were “18 to play younger”. In this case to look 14 yrs. to 16 yrs old. There can be a lot of work for an actor who looks younger that 18 yrs., and in T.V. that means they can get more work out of them. Emmy Clarke is 14 yrs. old, and that means she works an eight hour day, and goes home. Period. No O.T.! All of the shots that needed the girls under 18 (the minors) were shot early, since most of them had a 8:00 am or 9:00 am calls.
This episode focuses on a game that requires skill, and so, coaches were brought in to work with the girls on getting the moves on court down. The other way this was accomplished was with those “18 to look younger” actors who were also skilled basketball players in real life. One girl had even been offered a spot on her collage team. This meant that the teams looked like they could really play, and clearly they could. Between quick moves on the court, and spinning the ball on one finger, the ringers clearly brought a reality with them, that helped the scene, and at the same time, livened up the filming.
There is a pivotal moment in the show when Julie makes a basket, and then right on top of that one, the ball goes to the other team where Number 5 on the Bee's team shoots from mid-court to score three points for her team. Now remember that Julie, played by Emmy, is shorter than almost all of the other players, and is an actress, not a basketball player. She spent many a free moment practicing her shot between takes trying, and failing to make that basket. When the time came to shoot the scene, the ball is passed to her, she gets to the basket and shoots the ball, missing. This is where we would do a “rolling reset”, that is to say, everyone would return to one (back to their beginning marks) and do the scene again without a cut. We did that three more times and Emmy made her shot. As requested, the Cougar fans (her school mascot is the cougar) go wild. Now for the other sides moment.
Number 5, a basketball player and “18 to look younger” actor stands mid-court and shoots the ball between takes to get ready for her moment. She too, misses each of the shots she took. She had time to make three or four shots before they called picture up, and everyone was ready to film. On action, one of her teammates passes the ball to her and she step to center court and shoot the ball across the distance to the basket, where she makes the shot in one. The Bees fans went wild and jumped up and down, and in short made for a good take. When the Director called cut, the background gave the young lady a standing ovation.
During the filming, the girls would have to do all those shots that have them running back and forth across the court, first one team running with the ball and then the other. Those are the ones that will be used wily nilly to make it look like a real game. The fun part was, that every once in a while, one of the girls moving toward their basket would loose control of the ball, and one of the others would take it down to their basket and try to score. None of this was scripted, and the BG would cheer the actor/player on. Because it added to the “real” feel of the shots, the Director would let the girls ad-lib this way.
I've mentioned before that Tony Shalhoub seemed like a nice guy on set, and that was again the impression here, as he made a point of shaking the hands of each of the girls on the basketball teams as he met them for the first time on set, a courtesy he extended to some of the BG who where seated near him during the shoot.
And finally, there is Denny Dormody (dennydormody.com), a background actor and author, who brings his published book to set and asks other BG actors to read a chapter and comment. Seems he got this notion to write about his experiences as a background actor. Hummmm...who knew there could be a book in this somewhere?
Date: May 1, 2006
Show: The OC
Episode: Graduates
Location: Mount St. Marys Collage
This is the same episode that I worked last week, and so, I find it funny that last week I was a Yacht Club Member and this week, I am a High School teacher at New Port High (the school that all the rich kids attend). Actually, I was supposed to be a parent, but someone on set decided they wanted only two teachers on the stage (instead of three) with the principle, Dr. Kim, played by Rosalind Chou (Star Trek: DS9 and What Dreams May Come) and they went with one of the Regular BG actors (Christina) who has been on the show forever, and me. Why me? We never found out. The other two BG actors have been on the show as teachers as long as Christina, and knew the AD's and other crew members, so sometimes, it's not who you know, but what you look like, and this time, I may have had the look they wanted.
Most of the day was spent on the set, sitting on the stage with Christina and Rosalind, with breaks in BG holding, chatting with other background actors. There was almost no other choice as to what to do because the phone service was almost nil up on Mount St. Mary's hill.
I really enjoyed talking to Rosalind, breaking the ice with my comment about how much Jessica and I enjoyed “What Dreams May Come”, a film that she had done with Robin Williams. Later, I was sitting on the stage, waiting for the other two to join me, when the 2nd AD came up and told me that I would hand the Diploma's out to Rosalind, who would then call out the “Students” name and hand the diploma to them as they came up on stage. This meant getting into the shots with Rosalind and at one point, getting my hands featured as I handed off one of the diplomas to her. We did the shot in one take, and Rosalind said how wonderful I was, and I told her she was my inspiration, and we gushed over each other for a few more seconds before going on to shoot other angles. After many hours of sitting in the sun, Rosalind said she was ready to go home and that she thought I was ready to move up in the world, and the administration of the school, and I could take her place. I asked her if that meant I would also have to tell the Director she was leaving. She said yes, and I declined politely.
Ian Toynton was the Director, and I know I have worked with him before, but just can't place where. In a profession known for multiple takes on everything, it was great working with this Director, because he did mostly two to four takes and then moved on. On several occasions, he did one take and that was it. If he did more that three or four, it was usually because an actor asked for one more.
This is not a show I watch, but I have noticed that the actors seem to enjoy working, and working together, and that helps make for a very nice set.
Date: May 3, 2006
Show: Commercial Acting Class
Episode: First Class
Location: Daphney Kirby's studio
One of the things that I learned as a working Magician for so many years was how to perform in front of strangers. Still, performing cold, before people I don't know is just a tad bit uncomfortable. Daphney Kirby is a Casting Director, and someone that I would normally go to, to get a job. When an actor goes into audition, Daphney, or someone like her will be there to decide if you will be the one. While taking this class, she is the one who will help me understand what the casting director for a commercial wants, and how I can give it to them.
There are exercises that we perform in class, starting with expressing our genuine love of a product we have never seen, with words that will likely never show up in a dictionary, and we must pick one of these words and repeat them many times, each time differently and with intent. Almost right up there with “being a tree” as one of my favorite things to do in acting class. Still, there is a reason for it, and so, having put forth my intent to complete this class (and thus make best use of my non-refundable fee), I figure out how to say “sweet and spicy” (the only real words in the group) in ways that do not come natural to most people. How would you say “sweet and spicy” like a Baptist preacher or a square dance caller? Uh huh. Not so easy.
All of this is done before a camera, and about 20 other people, all of whom are hoping to be the best one in the class. See that's what we actors do. We want to see other succeed, but we also want to get there first, so we can give them that helping hand up.
One of the other exorcises we did included improvisation. We are in a scene, we are to talk about what ever, and then, on cue, we are to respond to something that we imagine is happening a few feet away. Improvisation is tricky if you have never done it, but I have, and I enjoy improv. Better yet, the young man that did this exercise with me was also an improv fan. Made for a good bit, and helped me relax in this room full of strangers.
There may come a point when I don't have to take acting classes. Maybe, I will get that sitcom gig, or a continuing roll on the next big dramidy. I might even get a repeating national commercial that allows me to retire in style, but...it is really about improving my ability to get the job in the first place, and that is what I hope to do, so to acting class I go.
This week, the scene's are shot on two different set pieces, one being the lobby of the Hotel Tipton where we were shooting before an audience. Thankfully, the audience is made up of lots of kids, so they shoot this show early and fast. I feel for the comedian who keeps the kids interest in the show during taping, because it is a lot of work. If you have ever been to a taping of a show, there are scenes shot three or four times, and each time they want you to laugh just like the first time. And, of course, there are the long stretches between takes, and scenes, and that is where the comedian comes in handy, with games, prizes and interaction with the crowd.
Because of the way we shot the show today, it turned out to be a long day. We got there before the audience, and blocked the lobby scenes (two of them. One near the top of the show and one near the bottom.) Then we spent most of our time in stage 10 which served as our background holding. At dinner time, before filming, we all shuffled off to another stage where lots of good food was to be had. After dinner, the audience was already in place, and the show began. It took about four hours to shoot the show with the audience, and then it was back to holding. About twenty minutes before we shoot a scene, we arrive on set, and when the scene is finished, we go back to holding. That way, there aren't lots of bodies getting in the way.
When the audience left, we went back to stage 11 (where Suite Life is shot), only this time, we went to a temporary set that looked like a school gym for little people. Just wide and long enough for a volleyball court and some bleachers. There were a number of High school girls hired because they were on their high school volleyball team. And it was a good thing too.
Their job was to make the game played by the shows two young female leads look authentic. That meant lots of well placed shots with volleyballs, with the aim of NOT hitting the thousands of dollars worth of studio equipment, from lights to cameras. To get some of the shots needed, the actors had to get in there and hit the ball too. More than one volleyball went 30 feet into the lights above, and not once did the lights take a hit. Wish we could say the same for the camera operators.
One ball took off and whizzed by the camera, hit the wall and shot off into the crowd of crew, watching from the side lines. In another shot, one of the leads is seen spiking the ball over the net. Now the top of the net is maybe seven feet up and the actor is seen at the top of the net, spiking the ball down, and the actor is almost 5' 1”. The crew brought out a two foot platform and she would hit the ball from there, and sink (bend her knees) to give the impression that she was dropping to the floor after her amazing jump. Many shots were taken of the actors serving, blocking, and placing the ball, and each one generally required many takes. Volleyballs shot into the lights, the audience (that being us background) and the crew and cameras. Eventually, enough takes with good plays were captured. It was fun to watch and now you know how actors, who can't otherwise even serve a volleyball, can look like they are practiced pros.
May 16 and 19, 2006
Movie: License to Wed
First Congregational Church
241 Cedar Ave. Long Beach
(Founded in 1914)
Much fun was to be had today, and most all of it on set. Robin Williams was the actor of note on the set today, and it is really fun to watch him work. True to his stand-up comedy beginnings, Robin has a tendency to entertain the actors, crew and background between takes.
This movie makes Robin, Father Frank, a marriage counselor who puts one couple through a series of relationship challenges during the most grueling marriage preparation course ever. Our scene involves the couple coming into church late (after services start) and Father Franks reaction, which is public and immediate. The scene has Father Frank turn to the choir, after nailing the young couple in their tracks, and leading them in a chorus of “You're late!”. You'd only have to be the center of attention once in that church to know you would never be late again. Makes you wonder what happens of he hears a coin drop into the collection plate.
In between takes, Robin would often stay in character and pray for one or another of the celebrities or public officials we all know and love. He prayed that God should help Gov. Schwarzenegger in learning how to spell California without the “K”, and that perhaps he could grant Paris Hilton a conscience.
One of those floating helium lights was being used on set, so Robin dubbed the church “Our Lady of the Zeppelin.”, and announced in a voice that rose in pitch as he spoke that, “if there is a helium leak, you'll know.”
At one point, the wait between takes was running long, and Robin went into a riff, complete with drums, choir voiced “amens” and a mini sermon about what Nefertiti would say to Rameses, “Not tonight. It's my pyramid.”
Ed Sullivan, automated services with robot priests, and celebrities prayed for, kept us entertained most of the day.
But as sometimes happens, there were technical problems. The biggest was the fact that the recording of the choir singing went bad, and the choir had to perform the song during the shots. The choir and Robin were up to the task, and with the drums and piano to play along, belted out the chorus of “You're Late” with gusto.
And to top it all off, they paid me to be there. Hallelujah!
May 18, 2006
Show: Weeds
Ren Mar Studios, Hollywood.
I kind of thought I had been to this little studio before, and I was right. This is where Monk is shot. The sets for the characters apartments, and the precinct offices fill many of the stages, and what they don't take up, Weeds uses. Weeds is a Showtime comedy, and as such, I'll likely never see it.
This was a short day, but as many short days start out, the omelet bar provided a great breakfast. We ate and waited about an hour before going to set. Once there, we kept busy for the two hours we worked before calling it a day. (That is me and my fellow background. The crew was just starting their day).
The scene we were shooting takes place in the office building of one of the characters, who is being fired, and escorted from the building. There is an argument, verbiage is thrown around (not repeatable here...this is Showtime, after all.) and the character is rendered senseless with a taser.
During the set up, the Director came up and looked at all of us standing there. He finally pointed to me and told me to come down (I was at the top of a flight of stairs) and stand by the camera. For the remainder of the day, I served as the “Boss” and sight line for the actor (Andy) who got tased, and as the focus for the turn around shots.
The actor's sight line is established so that he is looking in the right direction and level past the camera. The Director came up and told me that the actor was going to be swearing at me, and not to take it personally. And during the takes, that is precisely what he did. Looked right into my eyes and said many things I am sure he didn't mean. I had asked the actor if he wanted reactions from me, or even if he wanted me looking at him, and he said that my reactions were great, and to keep it up.
On the turn around, (when the camera shoots from the opposite direction), I ended up in the shot, and several times the director came out to talk to the actor, and would stop to tell me that I was giving him great facial reactions to work with. Of course, there is no telling if any of this will make it on the screen, but it was nice to have another Director choose me from the many to be singled out and featured. Bodes well for when I start auditioning for rolls as CEO's and Lawyers.
May 10, 17, 31 – June 7, 2006
Commercial Acting Class
Daphney Kirby's studio
This report includes classes 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The focus of the first four classes is improvisation. This is something that actors are often asked to do at an audition for commercial work. They may want you to be a person trying to get someone to give you their car, or someone you have met in a restaurant. Sometimes, there would be a goal in mind, such as the close of the scene would be watching the imaginary backside of someone walking past. This might be for a weight loss commercial. The idea is to learn the many things that will carry you through an audition, and on to a call back.
The first audition for a commercial, is just to get you that call back. Make them like you enough to bring you back for round two. Fewer people there to contend with, and a greater chance of getting the job. Here is one of the things that most people don't think about. When most folks go out and get a job, they go to an interview, and try to make the “boss” like them and believe that they are the one for the job. Then they get hired (one hopes) and they try to stay in that job as long as they can.
Actors, on the other hand, spend much of their professional life, auditioning. If you are a commercial actor, and you do 20 commercials in one year, that is at least 40 auditions, and likely more. This class is designed to teach the basics in how to get that second audition. What we say when we walk in to an audition, and what we wear, can get us or lose us a job. We may be too tall, not tall enough. Our hair may be the wrong color, or we may look like the producers or casting directors ex-wife or ex-husband. We may be the perfect person for the part, until the next guy walks in. And in most cases, we will never know why we didn't get the job.
Learning to take direction is important, and being able to give the director something else to work with. When I did the Kellogg commercial, the young man with the speaking roll would listen after each take to whatever the Director had to say. Sometimes he would say it from twenty feet away, and sometimes he would walk up and talk in a near whisper with the actor. Try this. Try that. Drop the accent, add the accent, speak faster, speak slower. Let's change the line, or give it a beat here, or there. And that young fellow followed each and every direction to the letter.
The class is now shy a few people, and that is a good thing, because two of them dropped it for movie rolls. But I am not turning green here, because the auditioning processes is a spooky one. In class number five, we entered class as if it was a call back. I was nervous as heck, and probably couldn't have been more so if I was going on a real call back. I am lucky though, in that I have two people who constantly provide guidance. Linda, who has been though so much of this with Jessica, helps me, and Jessica also puts in her two cents. She's the one who told me that I have to go in, do the best job in the audition I can, and then forget about it when I walk out. If you don't let go, you'll have this ever increasing pile of auditions hanging over your head, and you'll never get any sleep.
I have one more class, and yes, one more mock audition/call back. I hope I am a little calmer for this one, but if not, I will at least learn to let it go when I walk out.
