i got shot

Made you look. I finally ended my hiatus this weekend when I began shooting a short film. (I would have mentioned it sooner, but I had to wait out the jinx period. It seems that if I talk about good things too soon, I jinx them out of happening. Then by the time I was ready to spill the beans, I was too busy preparing.)

The film is called Marry Me (you can keep an eye on its progress here:  www.myspace.com/marryme2008) I don't usually like to explain plots, but this is in the romantic comedy genre; guy loves girl, girl leaves guy, guy wants to fix it by asking her to marry him, but is about to find out that he's got it all wrong. It's probably going to be around 30 minutes, and most of it is shot on (I believe) 16mm film. The aspect of it being on real film is exciting enough in its own right. And filming in Seattle, I know there's going to be some gorgeous footage.

We began shooting on Friday night in Bellingham, WA, with the cooperation of some eager and surprisingly patient Western Washington University students who filled in as extras for some party scenes. Saturday morning we came back to Seattle and have been filming on location around town. First Ivar's Fish Bar down on Elliott Bay, then Kerry Park (this is the spot where most of those great skyline photos of Seattle are taken.) I was sad that last week's gorgeous weather didn't hold out for filming, because it was COLD out there!

Yesterday was even more fun, as far as I'm concerned. Despite another late start - due to cell phone alarms that didn't update with daylight savings - we got to take over part of the downtown ferry terminal, then we hopped on the Bremerton ferry and filmed on deck en route. We didn't get off, but kept on filming on the way back. But this time we were on the front end of the ferry, and well, let's just say that I was wrong when I thought Kerry Park was cold. The wind froze me right through. And blew my hair all over the place. Still, it was probably my favourite part of the shoot so far. After that we took over the terminal again for a couple shots we didn't have time for before the ferry, and this time we had an audience. Well, the lead actor did. It was just a shot of him trying to break through the turnstiles, and then sliding under them. But it was gratifying and amusing that, while he is the only person in the shot, 80 people were standing behind the camera, silently watching, and they all laughed at the bit of shtick, but kindly waited until the scene was completely done. We also got to include one of the terminal employees in the scene, and even though I didn't really talk to him, I could tell what a fun, jolly man he was from the first words that came out of his mouth. He was so thrilled to have been a part of it, you could tell it made his day. And that made my day.

After that we filmed in Carroll's Jewelery store on 4th. And I'm so glad we had the privilege because very soon this 113 year old landmark will be shut down so the building owner can gut and renovate the building, and Carroll's will be no more. Of course I've never bought jewelery, and I don't really ever expect to (I hardly wear the stuff), but the loss of the history and the architectural detail alone is enough to break your heart, let alone that the business has been in the Carroll family this whole time. So I'm really glad we got to document this vanishing breed of antique jeweler one final time. And the ladies who work there were so understanding and fabulous we owe them a huge thanks.

Today they are filming in Pike Place Market. I am not in those scenes so I'm stuck making coffee for cash today. I'm sad to miss the action. I know that the lead actor was supposed to have a fish thrown at his head. I can't wait to find out how that went.

Then tomorrow is our last day filming. We'll be somewhere downtown, then down at the Olympic sculpture Park's waterfront in the afternoon. I'll let you know how it goes, and see if I can upload some photos later.

love-love. Lindsay