Affirmed.

We were scheduled for filming at the Riverwalk.  It was an especially steamy afternoon, and the crew set up a makeshift tent on the lawn overlooking the water, and the walk itself.  All the moms had taken up a seat on the cement staircase nearby, just below the actors and actresses seated under the canopy prepared for them.

Curious passersby soon began meandering through.

One particular woman stopped to inquire of all the goings-on.

She was told, clearly, as to what she was viewing, right down to the 'star power' of those she was looking at.  One little girl in particular held her keen interest.  That little girls' Momma had just finished detailing the daughter's latest resume' endeavor, a popular show on network television.

The stranger peered under the canopy with her hungry-to-see eyes.

Those eyes, growing wide, turned to us with amazement.  The woman spoke:  "Why you're RIGHT!  That is her!" 

 . . . as if we didn't know, or had somehow misspoken . . .

:rolleyes:

LOLOL

The Gang Takes Shape . . .

Eight days into filming, the gaggle of teenagers that comprise the cast have begun to show their true colors.  Friendships are being formed over on-set jokes du jour, and the close proximity in the hair and makeup trailer.

Perhaps the signature definition of the project thus far has been the remake of "Wanna Be A Billionaire" . . . so far, us parents have been innundated to such a degree that we can now sing the song in our sleep, and play the chords verbatim.  :)

So it goes . . .

A Grueling Work Week

The Actor engaged his trade under some intense conditions this past week.  Extreme and unseasonably hot and humid weather beat upon the cast and crew as they worked outside tirelessly to capture the scenes necessary; followed by a series of days wherein they stood for hours on their feet, with very few breaks, on concrete floors.  Nary a word of complaint was heard from any of them - it was great to see such a fantastic work ethic from them all!

It was also Dad's first time on set, as he took my place at the close of the week, experiencing first hand the detail and nuance of what it means to be behind the scenes in the production of a movie.  All in all, we couldn't be more thrilled with the professionalism of the production company, the hard-working crew, and the noble character of the cast.

Here are a few snapshots from the week!  Enjoy!  :)

Warehouses, Wood, and Work

What do you get when you combine the three items listed in this blog title?  You get The Actor and his fam, on location, ready to put forth some cinematic effort!  :D

We arrived yesterday to discover some very comfortable accommodations waiting for us.  I might just be in a photographers heaven, there is so much architecture and character to the area!  See for yourself:

The courtyard of this warehouse-turned-condominium building is a sprawling area, with many quiet nooks.  Some reserved for outdoor entertainment; some for quiet reflection; some for simply enjoying nature . . . the privacy afforded here is an urban-dwellers dream!

Even the feral cats think so, as they slink out into the open areas to steal away food left for them by renters and homeowners.  This sly sire of a cat thought he was watching us undetected, hidden away in the lirirope . . . but we knew he was there!

Of course, there was plenty of evidence to remind us we were in the heart of the city!  Such as the water tower, which loomed large above the courtyard, it's tall, lanky legs being hidden by the landscaped trees and shrubbery:

And, who can forget the night time city scape that is always mesmerizing from the top floor:

All the outdoor amenities and visuals are certainly wonderful . . . but indoors?  Oh. my!  

Today on tap?  Wardrobe, rehearsals, and meeting the others!  It's going to be a grand day!  :D

Worth Their Weight In Gold

Acting Coaches.

Acting Coach.

Ours.

Our Favorite Acting Coach.

We need him.  He fills a vital role in the audition process, and relieves the parental unit any undo stress and strain within the parent/child relationship.

You know ~ the age old dynamic of one's child listens better to someone else than the parent?  It operates even within the bounds of putting an audition on tape.

As the Mom, wearing multiple hats comes naturally, however, some hats are best left to a professional.  In the entertainment industry, that's how it should be:  the Acting Coach coaches the Actor, the Mom drives.    Case in point:



Thanks, Patrick!   We love you (and miss you!)   :D

Nancy, Stop Nibbling Your Nails . .. !

"Just wait until you've done two network tests in one day.  It'll take you to a whole new level of neuroses." 

                                                                                    - The Manager

Soothing The Clamoring Crowds

Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . I've been tardy on the recent posts.  All my creative energies have gone toward revamping this blog site.  And besides:  it's not so easy keeping up with this lad, let me tell ya!

So, today, a gratuitous quick pic: a moment with Hair and Makeup, taken just moments prior to the taping of the most recent episode last week.

When he's not auditioning, or schooling, or taping, or sleeping - he's busy at work writing his very first screenplay.  I've stood back and watched as he diligently puts his thoughts to paper, this time, in script-speak.  I'm excited to read it.

Who knows what is around the next corner?  I'll keep ya filled in more regularly, folks.  I promise.  :D

He Said It Better Than I . . .

It's morning, and my husband has already been surfing the web as if it were his own electronic Sunday paper.

Direct deposited to my inbox, this little item from the CaboZone.

Gee. He said it better and more succinctly than I.

:)

Theatre On Steroids

I had stayed up late reading the first draft of the script, set for a Table Read the next day. I secretly wondered how this would all go down, but I shouldn't have! Sitting in a room full of producers, all huddled about a table lined with the Cast, I, too, heard the words on the page come to life for the very first time.

My son, The Actor, sat amongst the Cast, contributing.

I was stunned. Bring words to life they did . . . and I laughed throughout the presentation. All too soon, it was over, and the real work about to begin. The 50 pages of dialouge would be honed and go through many revisions before the final edit made it to film.

Monday.

Tuesday.

Wednesday.

Thursday.

Take after take; revision after revision; change after change.

It was theatre on steroids - a play of sorts, which began one way, but was becoming something quite refined from the original.

A real-time creative collaboration between the Writers, the Producers, and the Cast.

The script changed so many times, one was privy to watch the Cast not in the currently-rehearsing-scene going over the new set of lines handed down in the latest script document of the day.

Finally, the show had to go on.

The final revision was ready . . .

or was it?

As a squirming audience sat in the stadium seats, high above the multi-camera operation on the floor below, the lights were dimmed and Action! declared.

Laughter graced the studio.

Act One, Scene One went off without a hitch.

Act One Scene Two - CUT!

The Director paced, the Producers huddled, the Cast consulted.

Assuming their places, the audience was stunned, then laughed uproariously as the INSTANT REVISION of the script played out before our eyes . . . and it was PERFECT!

The proper way to end the scene; the most likely ending to the hilarity that had gone on before.

Truly, the night was filled with such surprises. A theatre production carries great weight, but none so amazing as that which we witnessed Opening Night: instantaneous story line revision.

The experience made for a memory like no other.

Now, the wait begins to see what they put together as the final product . . .

Creative Congratulations

Excitement filled the air as the minutes moved forward on Opening Night. What, with balloons in the corner; Executive Producers chatting with Stars just outside the dressing room window; crew folk scurrying this way and that, making final preparations ~ the electricity was contagious!

To top it all off, my son, The Actor was expecting visitors in the audience: his Management Team, and his Grandparents!

How edifying to know that those closest cared enough to be present for his television series debut!

He had just a few moments to spend with Grandma and Grandpa, before he was whisked away to wardrobe. That left the three of us, awaiting the moment when we could take our seats. Chatting, chatting, and finally speaking of one of the ensemble members, we were all stunned as the tiny frame of the very girl herself hopped over the threshhold of the dressing room doorway, a gift for The Actor in tow!

I had already spoken to her earlier in the week: Mom was a big fan!

So, it was a natural extension to ask for a quick pic, before she continued on her gifting rounds!

Before long, it was curtain time, and we were all in for an experience like no other . . .

First Interview

I know . . . I know . . .

There are HUNDREDS of details and plenty of stories to share about Opening Night at Stage 9 ~ today, however? I bring you the story of The Tree.

Yes, you see - The Tree stood between my son, The Actor and I as he gingerly and excitedly stepped his way through his very first Hollywood interview.

We previously had it all mapped out. A perfect plan. Since an audition was occurring within a timely fashion post-phone interview, I, the driver, determined that we'd arrive near our destination, so we'd not be on the road, nor distracted when the discussion began. I'd take L'il Man for a walk and allow The Actor a Cone of Silence in the car.

It just so happened that L'il Man fell asleep, so the need to remove him from the premises was no longer necessary. Upon reaching the intended party, however, the cell phone reception was sketchy.

Nonplussed, The Actor hopped out of the car, redialed the number of his appointment, and began talking with great animation and motion . . . all on the sidewalk of a well-to-do LA neighborhood.

This left me with nothing to do. So, I grabbed my camera, and played paparazzi!

I quickly discovered the task not for the faint of heart.

Just between you, me, and The Tree ~ I think he did a mighty fine job discussing his new television series with Melody Simpson. Don't you? :D

Hollywood The Write Way

Opening Night!

Electrifying is the best word to describe the emotional switch that got flipped when my son, the actor, opened the door to his dressing room! In anticipation of the live performance mere hours away, his management team had sent him congratulatory greetings!

Giddiness just might keep him from being able to adequately focus on the next hours' academia ahead of him . . .

:D

The Show

Hodge-Podge

It's been a busy week for my son, the actor. So busy, in fact, that the schedule really cut in to his regularly programmed sleeping schedule. Not accustomed to rising so early the sun isn't shining, this was the scene Monday afternoon, after a day of rigor:

Yes, he's really sleeping before sundown. :)

Each day has been full, filled with its' own unique set of events. Day One, the Table Read net a few twitpics, originally posted on the fan page of the sitcom's Facebook:

Day Two, plenty of schoolin' and script revision:

Day Three, more run-throughs, and multiple changes of clothing:

Today? Cameras in place, more run through's and pre-shoots. There's always something to do, when your son is an actor . . .

:giggle:

It's All In Who Ya Know

At a recent coaching session, my son, the actor and I were privy to the coach greeting a well-known and popular actor, as he walked in the door of the little coffee shop that we'd employed to go over the scripts.

"Now there is one fine actor!" my sons coach shouted out.

"Why, those are good words to hear, first thing in the morning!" the man replied, with a broad, beaming smile.

He made eye contact first with the coach, then me, then my son, as a few more pleasantries were exchanged.

I looked square into his face with absolute recognition that he was indeed, a very common sight on television and movies. His full length wool coat kept him safe from the unusual high winds and chill in the air in Southern California, and the coffee he ordered served to warm him from within.

Soon, our immediate conversation came to a close, and it was time to go.

I had meant to ask Coach the man's name after he left ~ after all, even though I recognized him, I certainly couldn't remember his name! However, the thought escaped me, and we were off, before I could do so.

I decided to text Coach, to make up for lost time in the matter:

Me: I forgot to ask . . . the man you gave a shout out to this morn ~ I recognized him, but I couldn't place his name?

Coach: Me neither . . . whoops!

Me: LOL That's great! I'm not an entertainment industry flunkie after all! lol

Of Scripts And Things . . .

A bevy of activities on the table today ~ coaching, auditions, word-waiting on other projects.

My son, the actor? He's thrilled to be back in the mix. :)

{{SQUEALING}}

Omigosh! How exciting!! In two weeks, the Cast and Crew will be gathering together for our first sneak peek at the finished product!!

{{Squeal!!!}}

The Melding of Moments

My son, the actor and I had scarcely gotten out of the car when I heard my name shouted from a nearby car.

Startled, I looked up. 2000 miles from from home, and in town less than 24 hours ~ who on earth could possibly know me??

My son was already embracing the blonde bombshell of a girl.

What fun! A film-mate, also arriving at our destination for an audition. The same production, even!

As we waited in the lengthy line, it was wonderful to reconnect, and discuss, know, and be known.

In a city of millions, familiarity bridged the gap between home and big city.

Skyline

Vehicles bumper to bumper, beneath the skyline of buildings; pedestrians scurrying to and fro on nearby sidewalks, carrying backpacks, bags, books, bundles.




It never ceases to amaze us that multitudes call this cement jungle home.

Fly, Boy, Fly!

Every skill learned must engage that 'first time' requirement.

You know: the first step; the first word; the first bicycle ride; etc.

The Actor entered into a first this week, as he was called in to do "ADR" - Automated Dialouge Recording, also known as looping. This process puts the thespian in a soundbooth to re-record snippets of script that might have been unintelligible in the final cuts, or otherwise compromised.

We arrived at our location, and found ourselves whisked upstairs to the recording area. Upon entering I realized, much to my chagrin, that I had not brought my camera. [WHAT? ME?? Without my camera??? Egads!]

I quickly recovered, though, when I remembered my handy-dandy cell phone!

This is what we were greeted with: a bevy of mixing boards, computers and monitors.

On the main screen, we saw Mia Frampton, the leading lady of FlyBoy. Her image was crisp, and clean, and strikingly beautiful.

Next, The Actor was placed inside the sound room, and instructed to don the headset.

Then, for the next thirty minutes or so, he would reinact his lines in sync with the images of scenes being replayed on the monitor.

As I sat behind the mixers, his voice would boom across the carpet, as if we were sitting in a cinema, watching and hearing a movie in real time. The software registered his voice in typical 'echo' waves, or quickly drawn vertical and horizontal lines on the virtual paper of the software face.

Over and over he'd speak, with the director coaching him this way, and that, until they had a sufficiently emotionally-infused statement to replace the old.

Several times I was able to see the opening scene played in it's entirety, of about 45 seconds. I was amazed at The Actor's 'babyfaced' features. Had he really grown that much in a year's time?

My appetite is whet to see the finished product, which will be wrapped within a matter of weeks.

Of course, none of our experiences are complete without a look at how L'il Man encountered the activity. His interest was piqued over the myriad of buttons . . .

Perhaps we've a Big Time Hollywood Producer on our hands??