Action of a Different Sort

I opened an email the other day, and found within a note from the Costumes Department.

Seems my son, in his effervescent way, had requested a specific photo off of the Costume Continuity camera.

This photo was not a typical, run of the mill photo, however. No, this photo was all action. All boy. All Israel. No doubt.

I thought you'd enjoy a slice of his energy this morning. Good as a stiff cup of coffee, if you ask me! The vantage point of the camera lends itself to a mind-bender, doesn't it? :)

Maria.

Our first encounter with Maria occured the day after we arrived in Michigan. The Actor was dutifully in the dressing room, changing and trying on different period costume, whilst the L'il Man and I waited at a table nearby.

Maria sat at a sewing machine, her fingers guiding, then flying to tend a seam, then back to guiding again.

She was a cheerful sort, with raven black hair and the body of a glamour girl, despite her more elderly composition. Tasked, yet engaged with what was happening around her, Maria was immediately enamored with the baby.

She had come from a family of seven, Italian in descent, and had four children of her own. Complimenting me on my parenting style of allowing the babe to explore, she began to strike up a friendship with him. L'il Man took to her almost immediately.

The hours upon hours of clothing changes only served to bring about deepening conversation between The Seamstress and I. She had sewn for the industry many, many times ~ including broadway endeavors, and, as if that weren't enough, bridal gowns, christening garments, and more lined the verbal showcase of wares she presented to me.

Maria and I were chatting when we heard news of Michael Jackson's passing, straight from a phone call from Hollywood to the head of the Wardrobe Department. The somber news dampened everyone's spirits, and only served to add to my dismay that I'd likely not see the gregarious woman again after this.

Oh, how wrong I was! Cheers rang out among us as I discovered that Maria was on staff day after day after day - hemming, repairing, replacing fabrics and garments for the multitude of extras and cast members present for the production.

Our friendship continued. Each time location moved, Maria moved with us. A different locale, yet the same, her trusty sewing machine always present.

Our final week spent together gave her pause to finally utilize her handy-dandy lighter-fuse driven power cord . . . resulting in the most unique, yet enjoyable backdrops for creative handiwork yet!

We may never have Maria on board during any future films. However, rest assured ~ no other seamstress . . . regardless of how flambouyant they might be ~ can never erase the mark that Maria left on our hearts.

Maria, we love you!

Greek Myths, Anyone?

Please allow me to get back into the blogging groove, after a weekend of R&R by scrolling through the multitude of photos we've taken on location. Several don't miss it! blog posts are on tap over the next few days!

Today, a brief glimpse into the hair and makeup department, headed by none other than: Medusah.

What a great way to place a memory hook in folks ear, eh? To name one's professional-level skill set as a free-lance contractor under the guise of a famous Greek goddess?

It works.

And, amazingly, the tresses Medusah herself carries look astonishingly close to being legendary!

Each morning, after arriving on location, my son would accomplish two tasks: change clothes, go to hair and makeup.

This tiny cubicle on wheels housed four professionals, all doing what they do best. Coiffure the stars.

Delightful folk, these stuntmen in their own right. Transforming a modern teen into a early 60's icon; a greyheaded star into a youthful father; a regular Joe into a union worker of the era, complete with sideburns.

Yes ~ without this particular arm of the crew, the show would be lacking. Sorely lacking.

After all . . . they tranformed this:

Into this!

A Treat

Amid all the shuffling about to and fro as the crew prepared for the next scene, I made a beeline for an obscure corner and found myself sidled up to The Sound Guy and his bevy of equipment, all strategically stacked on a large steel cart with wheels. With the break on his end of the action, we introduced ourselves one to another and engaged in a bit of small talk.

When the frenzy subsided, and the cast took their place, I found that my out-of-the-way corner actually granted me a vantage point to the screen unobscured by a multitude of others, each also peering to get a good view.

The Sound Guy, who had labeled himself a sort of loner, actually had the best seat in the house by virtue of his task. I stood by and watched.

The next day, again in need of making sure I was out of the way, I returned to his little corner of the set. Smiles, warm greetings, more conversation.

My son was up next, a scene designed to create tension toward the greater plot for the main character. I scooted closer to the screen.

The Sound Guy then offered a most generous offering: he secured another headset to a battery pack and handed it to me.

Smiling, I took it, and for the next 15 minutes watched take after take of my son - and heard every word as though I were hearing it as a part of the finished product in a movie theatre! The quality was top notch, bar none!

What a thrill, a fantastic end to a full week's work!