Speaking of "reality" because of this strike, all these networks are being dominated by these "Reality shows" which in my opinion are "really' garbage. The so-called "new-age" of entertainment is pretty much material taken directly from the septic systems of Hollywood.
I actually feel for these writers as they have to compete with this new-age "disease" called "anything for a buck!" At least in the 80's they had some real TV shows with real plots and situational comedies and dramas. With shows now like "American Idol" why do you even need writers anymore??
It's sad to say but these reality shows are becoming more interesting then some of these new pilots. It's really the networks fault. They keep ordering these types of shows as it is way cheaper to produce. Also they don't have to deal with a real actor who will fight and negotiate their contract and it's terms.
More and more these reality shows are taking over and the "dumbing of America" is increasing as soon there will be nothing but these type of shows. Back in the days, they had real shows like "I Love Lucy" which was brilliant and exercised and challenged the writers minds to produce High quality programming.
Now there is no brilliance and no challenge, Without these two factors there is no real motivation. The end result is poor quality shows. A strike of this nature would have never happened in the 50's to late 60's.
As long as America allows itself to be captivated and entertained by these types of shows, then I hate to say it but this Strike in my opinion will drag out for a while.
A.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
2007 Year in Review
"Through snow, sleet, rain and ice, blazing heat, port- potties from hell, non-sag scraps of food, and "Lashings from Leah" we have traversed and prevailed"!
Kudos to you me and everyone who have survived this year of many "extra" trials and tribulations!!!
Now to take a brief recap and to highlight the events of the year......
The year began for most of us on the set of "I am Legend".
AH! Yes who can forget the multitude of frozen hours spent outside by the South street seaport for six days and nights for that big scene that only lasted three minutes!
From hypothermia to the tsunami of people rushing and crushing everyone in their path once we wrapped trying to get their voucher signed. It was truly a memorable event, especially for those who had to be hospitalized for Hypothermia and being trampled in the food line.
Who can forget that food line? The mass of people lining outside of the tent shivering in the cold trying to get any kind of grub offered. Once you got the food, there was a P.A. at the front of the tent door with a counter, to count how many people were entering the tent for this awful food.
Even though the "Slop tent" was awful to even our non-union standards, apparently it was fine for the locals in the neighborhood projects. One adventurous local was daring enough to make an attempt to "hi-jack" the catering truck.
The culprit didn't make it far in his escape, as he smashed into the side of the tent! LOSER! The guy should have sampled the food before his pursuit of the catering truck and after a sample of the grub, he would have never bothered trying.
The worst part of that experience was once we were wrapped and this "Army" of extras are swarming back to the tent to get their vouchers signed. What a mess that was. It was So disorganized and there was no queue for people to form.
People were screaming, punching, kicking, to get that piece of paper signed so that they could get out and released from this nightmare. In fact it was such a catastrophic scene that the film crew should have been filming this scene as it was far more interesting then the scripted one. The best line ever during the trial of this experience has to be the one delivered by Doug the P.A.
Doug had a difficult time enough controlling 3000 people and did not need suggestions from people how to make the "Sign-out" queue run more smoothly. One guy offered Doug a suggestion and in complete frustration, Doug picks up the microphone and calls out "If anyone offers me anymore suggestions, I will clock them in the eye!" Brilliant!
For those of you who have seen "Legend" you will note that out of 3000 of us frozen souls" the only one that got seen was Crazy Al. :( Yes, my sentiments exactly. This means not only is Crazy Al one step closer to the union, but now he is standing outside of AMC theaters signing autographs! Shoot me now!
The rest of the year brought forth many more similar experiences in terms of hours waiting, and extreme weather conditions. Though "Legend" seems to take the award for the "Worst of 2007."
Some good sets and positive experiences should be awarded to that Barry Manilow Concert that we went to back in August. Yes it was the same bullshit of waiting around for hours for something to commence. However when we finally got into the concert, the brilliance of the stage and the majestic stars, combined with some really heartfelt songs, made this experience truly memorable, and in my opinion the best of 2007.
Other challenging sets of the year in my opinion was Law and Order (Chelsea Piers, because a day at Chelsea Piers is like a day in prison!) "Bourne Ultimatum", "Don't mess with the Zohan", (which Karly put a curse on ;), "27 Dresses", "Play or be Played", "H&R block", "Under Armor" and numerous Verizon commercials.
AH, Yes the Verizon commercials. Who can forget those. Waking up at insane hours just to get on a bus in mid-town Manhattan for 3am, just to be driven to either New Jersey or Long Island and sit in holding for an additional 6-8 hours before they even needed us!
At least with the Verizon, we did have a good time for what it was worth. For instance on the set of "Club Verizon", where we were stationed at that now defunct club, "Cro-bar ", we had to dance in Verizon uniforms for hours on end as Zombies! Here is where we developed the "Sleeping Series" starring: Mike Bell.
I believe our call-time for that set was 4am and our holding area was the lounge area upstairs at this bar. Mike Bell was on another set all night long and was "Prince of the Zombies" for being up for over 24 hours. We were all tired and burnt out that day, though Mike Bell truly deserves the award for that one for passing out on the booth area upstairs and posing so naturally for our "Sleeping Series".
The other Series to note would have to be the "Mustache Series", starring: Bill Rapp. Being the true professional, Bill Rapp was informed that he would have to shave off his mustache which was a part of him for many years, and he did. Yes, the once hirsute Bill Rapp had shaved off his distinguished mustache.
I recall how displeased Bill Rapp was after he found out on the "Club Verizon" that there were indeed many "hirsute" men, booked by Leah that were on this set and NOT dismissed or told to shave. Would you not be upset. Yes, exactly!
In true good form, and being a noble man as Bill Rapp is, he took this horrible situation and turned it into one of our best series of the year, which was the "Mustache Series". This series was introduced to us at the Verizon Shoot in Long Island on a soccer field.
It was another early call time of 3 am bus pickup at the Gemini Diner in Manhattan. It was a slow start to the day, however when daylight broke, Bill brought out an assortment of mustaches ranging from mildly hairy to scary! There were also an array of colors of white fluffy mustaches, black and gray ones.
We ended up spending the rest of the day modeling these mustaches. The funniest part was when Bill Rapp went to get his picture taken, he wore a black mustache and the P.A. didn't notice it wasn't his own. With the Verizon outfit on, Bill Rapp looked like that Mario Bros. guy.
Simon, took a crack at it too and put on a mustache. He had this little petite mustache and he looked kind of like Inspector Clouseau! Simon actually wore the thing on set while we were shooting for the commercial! What was even funnier was that the glue of the mustache wasn't adhering to his lip, so at times half of the mustache was hanging off his lip!
Upon reflecting on the past year, even though it ended very discouraging for me, I have to say the year had some really good moments. I want to thank you all for making this past year on some of these sets tolerable with your friendship and camaraderie.
In moving forward to the New Year, I want to wish everyone a great new year with many new prospects and successes to be fulfilled. I hope to continue working with you all in the new year. All of you! Save for that pathological liar, Gene (Scumbag) Roberts!
In conclusion and to "WRAP IT UP" , here are a couple of mottos for 2008:
" Happy 2008! Don't be late or the P.A. will be IRATE!"
"Happy 2008! Leah better NOT raise the monthly RATE!"
"Happy 2008! Will I ever get a waiver, guess it's up to FATE!"
"Happy 2008! Watch out Ladies, Gene Roberts is a SNAKE!"
"Happy 2008! Gene Roberts, I really HATE!"
"Happy 2008! I hope for YOU it will be GREAT!!!!!"
Goodbye, 2007,
Canada Anne
Kudos to you me and everyone who have survived this year of many "extra" trials and tribulations!!!
Now to take a brief recap and to highlight the events of the year......
The year began for most of us on the set of "I am Legend".
AH! Yes who can forget the multitude of frozen hours spent outside by the South street seaport for six days and nights for that big scene that only lasted three minutes!
From hypothermia to the tsunami of people rushing and crushing everyone in their path once we wrapped trying to get their voucher signed. It was truly a memorable event, especially for those who had to be hospitalized for Hypothermia and being trampled in the food line.
Who can forget that food line? The mass of people lining outside of the tent shivering in the cold trying to get any kind of grub offered. Once you got the food, there was a P.A. at the front of the tent door with a counter, to count how many people were entering the tent for this awful food.
Even though the "Slop tent" was awful to even our non-union standards, apparently it was fine for the locals in the neighborhood projects. One adventurous local was daring enough to make an attempt to "hi-jack" the catering truck.
The culprit didn't make it far in his escape, as he smashed into the side of the tent! LOSER! The guy should have sampled the food before his pursuit of the catering truck and after a sample of the grub, he would have never bothered trying.
The worst part of that experience was once we were wrapped and this "Army" of extras are swarming back to the tent to get their vouchers signed. What a mess that was. It was So disorganized and there was no queue for people to form.
People were screaming, punching, kicking, to get that piece of paper signed so that they could get out and released from this nightmare. In fact it was such a catastrophic scene that the film crew should have been filming this scene as it was far more interesting then the scripted one. The best line ever during the trial of this experience has to be the one delivered by Doug the P.A.
Doug had a difficult time enough controlling 3000 people and did not need suggestions from people how to make the "Sign-out" queue run more smoothly. One guy offered Doug a suggestion and in complete frustration, Doug picks up the microphone and calls out "If anyone offers me anymore suggestions, I will clock them in the eye!" Brilliant!
For those of you who have seen "Legend" you will note that out of 3000 of us frozen souls" the only one that got seen was Crazy Al. :( Yes, my sentiments exactly. This means not only is Crazy Al one step closer to the union, but now he is standing outside of AMC theaters signing autographs! Shoot me now!
The rest of the year brought forth many more similar experiences in terms of hours waiting, and extreme weather conditions. Though "Legend" seems to take the award for the "Worst of 2007."
Some good sets and positive experiences should be awarded to that Barry Manilow Concert that we went to back in August. Yes it was the same bullshit of waiting around for hours for something to commence. However when we finally got into the concert, the brilliance of the stage and the majestic stars, combined with some really heartfelt songs, made this experience truly memorable, and in my opinion the best of 2007.
Other challenging sets of the year in my opinion was Law and Order (Chelsea Piers, because a day at Chelsea Piers is like a day in prison!) "Bourne Ultimatum", "Don't mess with the Zohan", (which Karly put a curse on ;), "27 Dresses", "Play or be Played", "H&R block", "Under Armor" and numerous Verizon commercials.
AH, Yes the Verizon commercials. Who can forget those. Waking up at insane hours just to get on a bus in mid-town Manhattan for 3am, just to be driven to either New Jersey or Long Island and sit in holding for an additional 6-8 hours before they even needed us!
At least with the Verizon, we did have a good time for what it was worth. For instance on the set of "Club Verizon", where we were stationed at that now defunct club, "Cro-bar ", we had to dance in Verizon uniforms for hours on end as Zombies! Here is where we developed the "Sleeping Series" starring: Mike Bell.
I believe our call-time for that set was 4am and our holding area was the lounge area upstairs at this bar. Mike Bell was on another set all night long and was "Prince of the Zombies" for being up for over 24 hours. We were all tired and burnt out that day, though Mike Bell truly deserves the award for that one for passing out on the booth area upstairs and posing so naturally for our "Sleeping Series".
The other Series to note would have to be the "Mustache Series", starring: Bill Rapp. Being the true professional, Bill Rapp was informed that he would have to shave off his mustache which was a part of him for many years, and he did. Yes, the once hirsute Bill Rapp had shaved off his distinguished mustache.
I recall how displeased Bill Rapp was after he found out on the "Club Verizon" that there were indeed many "hirsute" men, booked by Leah that were on this set and NOT dismissed or told to shave. Would you not be upset. Yes, exactly!
In true good form, and being a noble man as Bill Rapp is, he took this horrible situation and turned it into one of our best series of the year, which was the "Mustache Series". This series was introduced to us at the Verizon Shoot in Long Island on a soccer field.
It was another early call time of 3 am bus pickup at the Gemini Diner in Manhattan. It was a slow start to the day, however when daylight broke, Bill brought out an assortment of mustaches ranging from mildly hairy to scary! There were also an array of colors of white fluffy mustaches, black and gray ones.
We ended up spending the rest of the day modeling these mustaches. The funniest part was when Bill Rapp went to get his picture taken, he wore a black mustache and the P.A. didn't notice it wasn't his own. With the Verizon outfit on, Bill Rapp looked like that Mario Bros. guy.
Simon, took a crack at it too and put on a mustache. He had this little petite mustache and he looked kind of like Inspector Clouseau! Simon actually wore the thing on set while we were shooting for the commercial! What was even funnier was that the glue of the mustache wasn't adhering to his lip, so at times half of the mustache was hanging off his lip!
Upon reflecting on the past year, even though it ended very discouraging for me, I have to say the year had some really good moments. I want to thank you all for making this past year on some of these sets tolerable with your friendship and camaraderie.
In moving forward to the New Year, I want to wish everyone a great new year with many new prospects and successes to be fulfilled. I hope to continue working with you all in the new year. All of you! Save for that pathological liar, Gene (Scumbag) Roberts!
In conclusion and to "WRAP IT UP" , here are a couple of mottos for 2008:
" Happy 2008! Don't be late or the P.A. will be IRATE!"
"Happy 2008! Leah better NOT raise the monthly RATE!"
"Happy 2008! Will I ever get a waiver, guess it's up to FATE!"
"Happy 2008! Watch out Ladies, Gene Roberts is a SNAKE!"
"Happy 2008! Gene Roberts, I really HATE!"
"Happy 2008! I hope for YOU it will be GREAT!!!!!"
Goodbye, 2007,
Canada Anne
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
