Learning To Fly!

The Making of Capital Games- Part 7

Complex.
Yup. That's how I would explain the art of film-making. Who knew? How many years have I watched a movie, a TV show, or even a 30 second commercial without a second thought? I think we all take for granted that we watch a movie or television show and everything falls into place as we see it.

Wow- my learning curve has just taken a quantum leap!

I've discussed the multiple takes- errors from crew, noise of planes, cars, dogs, all stopping filming until things quiet down. Sound- it's the biggest dilemma from air conditioning to refrigerators going on. 'Quiet on the set!' has taken on a whole new meaning. They mean reallllly quiet. Like in, hold your breath. That mike picks up a fly landing on a crumb.

Add to that our own shadows and reflections, our lights and screens and any number of poles, wires and objects used to light an area showing on the camera’s screen, and there goes the take.
When I see even this small scale production, behind the scenes, I can't imagine what big Hollywood mega-movies must go through to get one take. In our wedding scene we had not only seventy-five extras, but two young children as well- talk about hilarious! but also, they didn't understand the concept, so our director turned into a pre-school teacher, pointing, “Look at Daddy and smile!"

The stuff that went on, the 'out-takes' that may never get to be shared with the fans, were too hilarious to count. The stress, the long hours and seriously hard work, started to make the actors and crew punchy. And punchy means silly. It was time consuming and yes, meant more takes, but I was in tears I was laughing so hard. The puns came hard and fast.

Luckily I have a crew whose sense of humor matches my own. So the ex-cop got plenty of smiles from their antics.

And when the ice cream man passed during our outside shoot, you can imagine how many of my boys wanted a treat. "No. Not before dinner, young man," I scolded.

Along with the lighthearted silliness I do believe there has been some genuine learning for all. To many who came on this journey with me, it was a place to decide if this was the career for them. A place to do their first feature film. A springboard into what could be huge potential and great futures in the film industry. Everyone involved took that risk, that chance, that time, and the hard work to see if...
‘If’ Capital Games becomes a ground breaker, then it was all worth the effort. If not, it was one hell of an experience for everyone, including yours truly.

And how much did we learn? Too much to contain in one blog- skills, ego control, time saving devices, being flexible, and just managing to keep the project on track and moving to the finish line.

Ironic we have had the Olympics going on during this film project because we are going for the gold and it is a test of everyone's strength and endurance.

A big bravo to my cast and crew- They have far exceeded my expectations and I know they will do the same for my fans.

Learning to fly--
Oh, by the way....did you know actors 'fly' into the set? Like superheroes? Believe me. They are heroes to me.

Be safe out there.