Brandeaux Tourville, the director, and John DeGomez, production assistant. There’s a craft services table back there, and there’s Matt Magallon, the producer. And later, a taco truck pulled up into the back driveway of the bar, a dude set up his grill, and we would go out there and order tacos. At 10 o’clock at night, the cool air of the night in contrast to the heat of the lights inside. The surreal quality of it all, it was great. We wrapped up shooting at around 2:30, and Matt joked, “Wrap party. The taco truck is coming back. Breakfast burritos for everyone.” Matt, by the way, was hilarious. The two characters in my script have a mutual friend named Brian. He’s referenced once, when Jack says to Neve, “I hear things about you, mainly from Brian … he says he worries about you.” Late in the shoot, like 1 o’clock in the morning, I’m sitting next to Matt and he says, a propos of nothing, “Brian is my favorite character in this whole thing.” I’m still laughing.
Men at work: Brandeaux, Peter Mosiman (DP), and Aaron Gambel (1st AC). They’re all looking at the monitor. This was early on, when they were filming atmospheric shots, before the actors arrived: pool balls, ceiling fans, whatever. The camera was gorgeous, an Alexa Plus. The images crisp, glamorous, sexy, moody, bah, so beautiful.
Peter Mosiman, DP. So talented! So funny! You can check out his work here. He told me at the end of the night he had been excited to shoot my script because he had been wanting to do some more strict formal narrative stuff. I loved watching him LOOK at things. When the actors were in the makeup chair, he’d come over, stand there, and just LOOK at them, the camera already rolling in his mind. He’s an artist. He and Brandeaux are good friends. I am so glad Brandeaux thought of him for the project.
Focus. They’re filming the glasses on the bar. Neve has a glass of whiskey, Jack has a glass of beer. The whiskey was tea, of course, and Annika Marks, the phenomenal actress playing Neve, drank it all night. Please note the Green Bay Packers stuff all over the place and the CHEESEHEAD DRIVE over the front door. Much of that had to be struck, or at least covered up. That’s Brandeaux behind the bar, and Lani Wasserman, the 2nd AC beside him, she who ran the slate. She rocked.
Gaffer Mike and Tim Davis (swing) planning what to do/where to put lights/how best to begin. These guys are work-horses, man. Neither of them stopped moving for the entire 8 hours.
Back of the bar. The two actors on the left: the amazing Robert Baker and the magnificent Annika Marks, their little costume-rack at the end of the bar. I repeatedly got goosebumps, watching them act the scene. So natural, so real. Next to them, Peter talks with Johnny Kubelka, the “sound guy.” Super-nice. And to the right are Matt, the key grip, and Tim, the swing guy, who was just awesome. Racing around making all the last-minute adjustments before every shot. I was so impressed. Matt’s T-shirt read: “I AM TWO GIRLS AWAY FROM A THREESOME,” if I recall correctly, and early on in the day, when everyone was gathering at the location, Brandeaux and I were standing at the bar talking, and Matt walked by, loaded down with equipment, and we watched his shirt go by, silently, not saying a word to each other at first, just taking note of it, and then we glanced at each other and burst out laughing.
Robert and Annika in position. That’s where they were for the rest of the night. There was black cloth hung up in the middle of that open space, to control the light, and the monitor was placed behind it. I sat back there with Brandeaux, Peter (on occasion), Matt, and Monica (the makeup artist).
3 o’clock in the morning. Everyone catching up on all they had missed during the busy day. Seen in the background is Madison, a bartender at the actual bar, who was there with us the whole night. She was great.
Monica Giselle was hair and makeup. She was awesome. She set up shop over to the side, and did her work with both actors. She and I ended up having a great time together. We discussed Rob Lowe’s autobiography. Loved her. Because of the ongoing “Monica” “Annika” confusion (Brandeaux would call out, “Annika?” and Monica would think he was calling for her and respond, “Yes??”), Monica said to call her “Mo.”
Check out all the bottles of tea on that bar. Humorous moment early on (there were so many): Brandeaux and Peter et al were filming close-up shots of her glass on the bar. Brandeaux put some ice in the glass, poured in the tea. Peter squinted at it. “That doesn’t look right.” He shouted out into the room, randomly, “Who here drinks whiskey?” Brandeaux, who was standing right there, said, “I do.” Peter was like, “What kind of ice do you put in a glass of whiskey?” Brandeaux said, “One big cube.” Peter said, “The ice cubes are too small. It doesn’t look right.” But the bar didn’t have any big ice cubes, and then began a long discussion about what they should do about that. I don’t know, it may sound stupid, but it was one of my favorite moments of the night. The sheer level of detail. The care put into every aspect – of something I wrote – even into making sure the ice cubes looked right! I also just loved Peter yelling out into the air to the group at large, “Who here drinks whiskey?” and Brandeaux saying, right next to him, “I do.”
Aaron. The carnage of film-making. But it was amazing how quickly everything was packed up and loaded out.
My view of the entire proceedings. Hidden behind that black cloth, headset on, staring up at the monitor, sitting with Brandeaux, exchanging glances occasionally (he and I are now 100% ESP-compliant. I did not even know this person before December, and we have already reached a point where we do not need language. I’d glance at him, he’d already be looking at me, we’d have an entire silent conversation, and he’d nod, like, “Yup. Totally agree.” Hilarious.)
This whole thing came about because my cousin Mike, who executive produced (and also produced the workshop of the script in 2011) happened to think of my script when Brandeaux told him he was looking for a project to direct. Mike and I had already been talking about next steps, and I’ve got representation out here, but movement has stalled, so I had been moving my thoughts to Chicago, as well as westward. So in November or whatever, Brandeaux, who’s an AD, told Mike he wanted to direct, and was looking for a project. Mike was like, “Aaaand, here is a script I just happen to have in my back pocket.” You know, this is how these things often go. Mike hooked Brandeaux and me up via text. We set up a time to chat. Brandeaux called me from the golf course. It was so L.A. I liked him immediately and I liked his thoughts on my script. I didn’t have to explain myself. He clicked with it. More conversations happened. I started to trust him. He has been worthy of that trust, and then some. And then, in mid-January, suddenly everything started moving at warp-speed. Annika said Yes to the project. Robert said Yes. I loved them both. They both seemed perfect. At a certain point, there was no turning back. And even if I got hit by a bus or fell on the ice and was laid up in traction and couldn’t make it out to LA, the shoot would still go on without me. That’s the kind of momentum I’ve been looking for, pushing for.
I said to Mike later, “I don’t know how to thank you for your hard work–” and he cut me off. “Listen, you did the really hard work. You wrote the damn thing.”
Yes. I did. And somehow it led to two grown men standing in a dive bar in Burbank discussing with desperate seriousness the size and shape of ice cubes.
Peter, Brandeaux, John, Matt and I emerged from the bar at 3:30 in the morning. It was chilly and foggy. The street was deserted, the mountain hidden in the distance. There was a slap-happy vibe, and all of those guys were going golfing at 10 a.m. that morning. Like, in a couple of hours. They were joking about driving to the golf course and sleeping in the parking lot so they wouldn’t miss their tee time. Good guys, all of them. Happy to know them now. It feels like the beginning of something.
Wow! What a great report. Best of luck with the film.
Thanks!
// Yes. I did. And somehow it led to two grown men standing in a dive bar in Burbank discussing with desperate seriousness the size and shape of ice cubes. //
These moments are so precious. Thank you for sharing with us. And congratulations.
Those were my favorite moments – of intense concentration on something that might seem ridiculous but which is super important to talented people.
Thanks, Lyrie!
Wonderful and fascinating.
Thanks, Steve!
Congratulations again! That must have been so fun to be involved in the actual production. My perception is that on many films, even shorts, the writers are not always given due respect, and don’t always have the ability to provide input during the shoot, or even be at the shoot. It must have been a surreal blast.
And when did you read the Rob Lowe autobiograhy?! I LOVED it!
Todd – thanks!
I lucked out with Brandeaux – because his vision matched my own – but more than that, he really knew what he wanted. He could articulate why he wanted it. He was clear and efficient. I cut a lot of stuff on my own (time constraints – also I wrote it as a play, different than a movie), and I was open to his cuts too because he clearly knew what I was going for. He has a super good ear for tempo and truth and tone. We didn’t always agree, but we had a good relationship, and we could talk it out. If my initial conversation with him hadn’t gone that well, I would have said No, let’s find someone else to direct. (He’s also a natural with actors. He didn’t just care about the camera – he cared deeply about the actors.)
At this level, you might as well strive to get what you want. Time enough for compromise in the future.
I actually haven’t read the Rob Lowe autobiography – although I own it – and am dying to read it. Monica raved about it. We had a blast discussing the trajectory of Lowe’s career.
She was like, “He grew up in Malibu and … there was just … NO parenting going on.”
hahaha
Congratulations on completing filming of your project. What an accompishment and yes, so interesting to follow through on your reports of the process. Hope we get it at some film festivals!
Kathy – I hope so too (film festivals)!
Wow. I am so excited for you! It must be amazing to watch your work come to life.
Congratulations!
De – aw, thanks. Yes, it was surreal and totally exciting.
So happy for you!!
Thank you, Larry!
What a wonderful experience! It is funny, I recognized Robert Baker from the previous entry-a side view picture. I really enjoyed him on Grey’s Anatomy!
It must be such a wonderful feeling, to see your vision come all together like this. To have that kind of rapport with your coworkers.
This all makes me extremely happy!
Maureen – Yes, Grey’s Anatomy!! He’s so awesome. And he’s from Memphis, too, so you know I had to talk to him about it.
It sure was a great group.
Lani, the 2nd AC, said to me that this is a slow time of year for jobs – things pick up in a month or so during pilot season – she said, “So it’s so great to get asked to do something like this – something cool and personal – to be a part of something like this, and also have the TIME to be a part of something like this.” Super nice, she didn’t have to say that!
But that was the vibe of the whole crew.
Very fortunate to have had all of them work on this thing.
Congrats! I’m so glad to hear everything went well. One of these days I’m going to be bragging that I used to comment on your site way back when.
And I can’t wait to see it.
Desirae – I can’t wait to see it too. Scary!!! We have a wonderful editor. So, fingers crossed.
Thank you!!
Amazing stuff!
Thanks, Tommy! And happy belated birthday!
Sheila
So great to hear all about the making of your movie and what it takes to make a film, the attention to their detailed work and focus is echoed in your excited reporting back of it. And I loved seeing your view – wide-awake and interested in all going on behind that black curtain all night! Congratulations!
Regina – Thank you!!
Nothing like artistic collaboration, as I know you know! It provides a high like no other.
I don’t know why, but I held my breath reading this. It almost felt like taking a peek at something magical happening… which I guess is exactly what it was.
Thanks for sharing this experience with us!
Hunenka – so so sweet, thank you! It was like we were all in this magic bubble of creativity and collaboration. We only had 8 or so hours to get ‘er done. Efficiency!
I’m looking forward to seeing your movie someday! This whole experience sounds like something that couldn’t have been more perfect.
It really has been perfect (so far … not over yet …). But at least in terms of the team, it was top notch.
I get the sense when I watch many movies that the directors are more interested in the camera than the actors. Its great you found one that really knew how to work with actors to get your material across. Sounds like it was a great situation . Not always the case I’m sure. Congrats again.
And you will absolutely love the Rob Lowe book… do not start it unless you have enough time to read the whole thing in one sitting. Yeah, his youth growing up with the Penn’s and Sheen’s was just the jumping off point. Great great stories. The Outsiders. Demi Moore. Nastassja Kinski. St. Elmos. Princess Stephanie. Cary Grant. It is unputdownable.
I can’t wait to read it!
And in re: directors: A really good friend of mine teaches in the NYU film department, and she teaches acting to film directors. She teaches scene study, basically, and script breakdown, and motivation work … all the tools of acting, so that these nerdy film directors will have at least some idea of what actors do, and how to work with them. It’s so important.
Sheila, this is just WAY COOL. And totally in measure with your immense talent. Can’t wait to hear more about it in the future!
Thanks Kate!
What a team. What a night. What a script!
Love your report and insight into all the hard work and attention to minute details that go to make everything and everyone look just right. It’s a bit of a miracle really, all that passion and professionalism coming together.
Looking forward to more reports on the life of the film – and seeing it one day, too, of course.
Thanks, Helena – Yes, it was such a good team of people!!
So exciting! Congratulations! And thanks for sharing this glimpse into the work with us.
Thanks, Dan!!