Day 20: 11:51 PM

I don't even know if I'll make it through this post.

Today was photo shoot and dress rehearsal day. We started at about 12, and the actors trickled in for the next few hours depending on their call times. The amazing Karen Gorga was there, adjusting everyone's outfits, sewing things, cutting things, whatever needed to be done. Jenn was amazing with doing makeup and hair, and Genell did a beyond kickass job of Julia's hair. Basically, everyone looked really good. Two of the ladies' dresses are sitting at the post office and they have to be picked up tomorrow. Marilyn's and Elizabeth's dress, to be exact. In the meantime, we had Elizabeth in a red dress and Marilyn in a really simple black dress that Jenn happened to bring along. The photos looked outstanding. Everyone nailed the expressions.

I took the actors into another room one on one while others were getting ready, and we discussed their characters, worked on their voices, and discussed specific lines. Everyone is really great to work with; no attitudes, no weird issues.

Then the guys came, and we threw their pants and shirts on them. Their pants need severe altering because of the really weird style of pants back then, and we still need to buy vests for the guys so they don't look like their in an orchestra, as Jenn says. We did photoshoots with couples, and then group shots. I had 30's jazz playing in the background and they had these bright lights on them. It was pretty crazy. I think that's when everything officially started coming together, and then sky rocketed past any expectations I had.

Then we shifted base to Ross Commons where we're actually filming everything. I'd like to take this moment to bitch about company moves. A company move, in case you're not familiar, is when you pack everything up and shift the cast and crew to another location. I hate packing. I'm awful at it, and I just hate doing it. That's what a company move is. A lot of packing, moving, unpacking, and packing it up again. It's awful.

Once we got to Ross, the immediate concern was that we had to ask the union guys to move the couches; apparently it's something only they can do. It's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. We pay 35,000 bucks at least to go here, and we can't move a couple of couches in a building that's FOR the students? I'm starting to think I don't like unions. Anyway, I kicked out whoever was in the room because it was reserved for us, and of course one of the guys bitched about it. Then I found the building manager and told her that we needed union guys to move our stuff. She gave me a funny look and told me I could just move things myself. I didn't get her name, but she made my life 90 million times easier. So Josh Genell and I fixed up the room and put out whatever props we brought along. We only brought about 1/4 of the props that we have, and the place still looked great. Jenn set up the food for everyone and all the actors had their dinner in costume. We relaxed for about 10 minutes and then started blocking.

I didn't know this, but we started blocking an hour later than we were supposed to. It's hard blocking these two scenes because everyone is doing something different at random times, so it's a lot to keep track of. It was fun though. I felt like there were all these really great elements sitting around, unconnected to each other. The blocking felt like I was connecting the dots; people started to get what things meant in the script, they were making sense of their movements, and they were all getting to be on the same page. And we ended the night at 9:30 on the dot. Just like we had planned.

For one, it's an eclectic group of actors. The performances range across the board; some people need no guidance and just take the role and make it their own. Others are still good, but I just need to guide them more. It's so tricky because it's period, and it's hard enough to get into a character, but to add voice modulation and mannerisms to the mix and you have yourself a heavy load of work. They'll get it.

Sounds like it went well, correct? Well I think it did too. Although I don't have an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. And I think it's good that I don't. Because then I won't rest on my stupid proverbial laurels and let things fall apart. To quote Chandler Bing, I need 'the fear.' I think that'll help me make it the best it can be. This crew though, seriously, is really great. I'm not going to be super cornballish and gush on about them. But yeah, really really great. I think I'll save my gushing for when I present the final product.

My lower back hurts, which means I'm tired. I didn't realize that all I had all day was cheese and water. I guess I got really into it. I think this is all that needs to be said. I can't believe I have to deal with a regular college student schedule for the next 5 days. I'd rather just be dealing with this project from now until it wraps. But hey, that's a good thing.

Day 17: 12:31 AM

Now that I realize it, it's probably day 40 or something of pre-production, but I can't count above 20.

Today was a productive but totally unbalanced day. Jenn and I went to Ross Commons today to confirm our location. We met with this really nice lady who seemed really not into the idea of us shooting in the rooms that we had chosen. Instead, she took us downstairs to the lounge area that we had never considered shooting in. The plus points are that it's much bigger, the wallpaper and couches felt pretty authentic, and there were panels that covered the windows but still looked good. So we decided to go ahead with it. This means I have to go back and restructure a lot of the script, which relies heavily on choreography, weaving in and out of the room, and hiding behind walls. The other challenge is that on the other side of the room is a plasma TV, so we're sectioning off the room using partitions. Hopefully, it won't look ridiculous. Another fear of mine is that the noise from the next room will leak into our shoot. Jenn said that we can cover the open doorway with a sound blanket. I hope she's right. She usually is.

Then came the issue of one of our actors. It's been this whole big situation that isn't worth getting into, and I don't think I'm going to tell the story I want to tell because it's not really my place to do it. But let me say that the acting community is really small and you'd be surprised how many people you know if you know just one actor! We're about to get the actor situation totally squared away by tomorrow night.

The other big thing was we got the first dress in the mail! I have yet to see it. It's supposed to be Elizabeth's dress, and according to Jenn, it's really great. Then Jenn found a really bombshell-esque body fitting dress that I decided would be better for Elizabeth's character. I mean, what's more likely to make Marilyn jealous, a body hugging number or a fun flirty one? So we might switch Molly and Elizabeth's dresses, size permitting. And I looked at Marilyn's dress again, afraid I would think it sucks. but it's actually perfect.

Sooo tomorrow Josh and I are meeting in the one window of time neither of us are swamed with other work, and we're re-storyboarding with the new location. I think it's for the best because we actually have more room to work with. Jenn also bought curtains for the room, which is great. She's taking care of the men's outfits when she's home Saturday, and oh god, we're meeting Bill from the theatre department at 8 am Friday morning to pick up all of the props for rehearsal. It's going to be so cold. So early. But at least we'll have all the props until we wrap shooting. That makes me feel 10 times better.

A friend of mine told me that she was talking to people in my class, and they had expressed doubt over me doing this project because it's a period piece. I was surprised! No one really said anything to me personally, but apparently people think it can't be done. It can't, usually, but then again no one's worked with my crew. If anything can go wrong at this point, it'll be from my end, and I'm going to make sure I get this right.

This morning I was woken up at 6 am by two cats outside. I swear, they sounded like crying babies. It was either really sad or really frustrating, or both. I can hear them starting already. You'd think I live in an alley. Or at least in the musical Cats. Either way, it's bad news.

I should go to bed. 3 classes and storyboarding tomorrow = no time for nap!

Day 15: 2 AM

It’s almost 2 AM and I just finished the trailer. It is, I think, good but complex. I want to send it to everyone with a detailed explanation, but that would be overkill. This week is important in terms of costumes, props, and basically the ‘look’ factor of it all. A lot of things depend on Ebay and the postal service, neither of which have ever really been reliable for me. If things don’t really pan out this week then next week will be insanity. We basically have one shot with this photo shoot because it’ll help us decide what we need to fix. I guess it helps to always assume that everything will crash and burn so you’re prepared for whatever happens. My brain isn’t exactly connecting properly right now, and I still have to read poetry for stupid French Lit. Luckily my work schedule changes in a week, just in time for production. I really wish we didn’t have to deal with other classes and we could just focus on senior project the whole time.
I’m getting increasingly nervous that I’m going to mess something up while we’re shooting. I think this has really good potential, but if anything gets screwed up, it’ll be from my end. That’s not a tremendous amount of pressure or anything.
Jenn, Genell and I hauled ass all over Columbus Boulevard and the area looking for props and costumes on Saturday. Then we came back and tore our hair out till about 10:00, looking for costumes online. We managed to order Marilyn’s party dress, which is a big deal because it’s very important. Then last night we won Elizabeth’s dress, which looks really fantastic. Then today I got in touch with Becky and she promised us her sizes tomorrow. That leaves Friday for Jenn and me to scramble and figure out something for the guys. Turns out that back in 1937, guys wore pants that were loose through the thigh and then tapered around the shoe. Like Santa pants. Except they made it look cool.
Before that, on Friday, we saw Bill in the theatre department and basically figured out that he has 75% of the props we need. Bottles, wine glasses, champagne glasses, suitcases, hatboxes, busts, books, lamps, typewriters... everything. Now we just need the old record player and the furniture that Jenn is bringing from home on Saturday. Then we’ll throw some window treatments on the windows and I believe our set will be complete. If it’s done by the time shooting begins, that would be even better.
Poor Jenn has to deal with my constant phone calls and e-mails, even though she’s already on top of everything. Have to try to fix that...
And now it’s time to read about trees and fauns. Because I really care right now.