At first the casting called for All-American types for a fourth of July celebration. They specifically asked people to wear the colors "Red, white and blue". Now since this was a "fourth of July" scene, you would think that the attire would be summer clothes. Yes that's what I thought as well, until I got the e-mail on late Sunday night that they wanted people to bring heavy winter coats!
I actually almost canceled out b/c I didn't want to go through the torture of being on set in winter parkas with the temperatures to hit high 90's that day. Though Linda said that she was going regardless, and I figured if she is going to be there, it's going to be a wonderful day.
First of all, that week was a "Spring heatwave" and the temperatures soared into the 90's for 4 days in a row. Wearing a winter coat in that heat wasn't going to happen for me. Secondly, even if I wasn't a "rule breaker" I didn't have my winter coat, because guess what it's Spring now and I already put it in storage.
The call time was a super early for 5:30 am to get to Central Park West area. It's hard enough to get to any set for that early in the morning, and this was no different. I had to leave Queens by 4 am to make it there. I had no problem getting up as I was not able to sleep at all. It was so hot in the apartment, and we had no air conditioner in yet, so I spent the entire night tossing, turning and sweating.
I transferred to the "A" train at Times Square 42nd street, where I met up with two of my fellow background players. Obviously we were all heading to the same set that early in the morning. None of us have "real" jobs to go to at that time. So we waited, and waited and waited some more. Finally the train came and for all that waiting we just ended up going 2 stops to the 72nd stop at Central Park West.
We get to holding at the church and there were already over 200 background in the holding area, and in the line-up to get pay vouchers and sign in. Linda was of course already there, and saved a seat for the "A-Team!" There were SO many people and So much madness going on as there are 4 different casting agencies that booked people on it. One was this "Universal" casting in New Jersey. By the time they got through the line, there were no more vouchers left to go around for the rest of us. I was thinking' How could they not have known that they are going to need a certain number of vouchers? What a mess!"
So we had to take a seat and wait for these vouchers to be delivered. While we were waiting there and complaining, there was so much activity going on around us as they were preparing for this massive 4th of July scene. Everyone was getting into their costumes.
It was getting really colorful in that space with a wave of red, white, and blues and American flags "stars and stripes" being painted on faces. Every single patriotic costume imaginable that represented July 4th from people dressed up as Uncle Sam, Ben Franklin, George and Martha Washington to a short 4 foot 2 small Woman dressed up as the statue of Liberty! It was really coming together!
As delightful as this all was, my favorite part of the entire day had to be the marching band. They were awesome. While all this was going on inside, outside on the corner the marching band were gearing up., tuning their horns and practicing. I was so exhausted and cranky up to this point, until the entire street was captured with such delightful notes of the songs they played.
They played "Don't Stop believing" by Journey, Just a gigolo by vaious, and then one all time classic and favorite which I haven't heard of in a while which was Cannon Adderley's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" Linda really got into it and started dancing with the band leader and trombone player distracting them while they were playing.
There is some great horn section going on with this piece. In my opinion, this is the best version of this song with the best solos that I found on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd4RDLGOQ3I It's long, but here it is just to give you an idea of the sounds of the day. When I hear music like this, I know I didn't waste my time taking music appreciation as a minor in college.
Moving along...
The rest of the day was literally a parade! Once all the costumes and make-up were in check, the sound of the bullhorn blared and we were all summoned to follow the PA to Central Park. An we followed. All 200 of us. The band leading the way, with Uncle Sam's, and clowns, jugglers, You name it, was a parade!
When we finally got to the park, the props people were handing out red and white balloons, flags, bells and whistles, to make this the most decorative parade around. Once we got our props, we were directed up and over the hill to where they had a huge fountain area. With the blue skies, and grand music, it was a beautiful day indeed! I was the most proudest Canadian portraying an American!
The scene was fairly simple, it was a parade enjoy and have fun! If that wasn't enough when they called for lunch around 2pm, the best was yet to come. I was thinking we would just get Indian foo, which my stomach can't take or it would some boxed lunch crap. Wow I was delightfully wrong this time to be taken around the make-shift lake, around the entire park to be guided to the legendary Boathouse restuarant!
It was a luxury catered meal in the boathouse. Do you know how expensive the boathouse is?? It was so special to get to sit down and dine like human beings in this place. It was a buffet style catering, though each dish was served to us on real plates, not paper ones as we usually get. We also sat at nice tables, had cutlery, and fancy napkins to place on our laps. Who could ask for anything more?
Even though we had only 15 minutes to chow down, it didn't matter, it turned out to be a much better day than expected. Though by the time all crew and 200 people went through the line, about and hour and a half elapsed. We went back to set, though even the crew were not ready to immediately go back to work after that meal.
We finally got "Back to One" around 3pm and they would have to wrap it up in a few hours as they were dependant on the daylight. The marching band played on, and we formed a circle this time marching along with the tunes of the band who were now playing "Happy Together" by the Turtles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxGiKgYYKvQ and even a couple of Micheal Jackson songs like "Thriller"! Talk about cheesy.
Though it was So much fun. In the end once the principal"Bollywood actors" got their lines down in a romantic setting where they shared a kiss, we were instructed to let go of all the red, white and blue balloons that we were holding. The band started playing "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzsUOmqpaeg as we let go of all the balloons and they all flew overhead into the clear blue skies. This was the ending song and as the band played, we sang along and the director called it a "Wrap"! Yay!
Walking back to holding to get signed out, passing by Strawberry Fields, where John Lennon's "Imagine" circle is, and still hearing the horns of the band play. Great ending to a great set.
Now I just hope we get paid in US dollars for this, not in Rupees!
LOL
Here is a link to the pictures from the day.
Addendum: Life takes you in mysterious directions. Most of the time we have no idea where we are going. Most of us don't even realize that we are on our path. Most of us try to figure out and over analyze and criticize people and situations and complain of our destiny and question our faith. Most of us, not all of us. Linda, my dear friend who passed away on May 14, 2009, was an exceptional, exuberant person.
I am mentioning this here as this set was the last time I ever saw her again. To think I was going to cancel this shoot b/c I was annoyed with the wardrobe decision. When I talked to Linda on the phone, she was like "Well I am going anyways!" Nothing stopped her. She embraced life to the fullest making every minute and everyone in her life count.
It took me a while to write this addendum as I am still struggling with the fact that she truly is gone. Though her spirit lives on through her son Justin and through all the many people she touched.
This following quote is from Cannon Adderley's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!"
"You know sometimes we're not prepared for adversity. When it happens sometimes we're caught short. Sometimes We don't know how to handle it when it comes up. Sometimes we don't know what to do when adversity takes over..."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRrFWp4DUho&feature=related
Forever my friend. Linda Rhodes, you will be missed. Thank-you for being a part of my life.
Back to one!
No comments:
Post a Comment