Monday, July 31, 2006

BUSINESS STILL AS USUAL

For the most part of May and July, I might as well have been intraveneously fed with all things RSD. After the casting sessions were done, Vernon, Fergus and myself had to sit and revisit the performance of each actor and actress. While making the decisions weren't difficult, the impending task of me having to tell those who didn't make it was. I didn't like breaking hearts. Still, the job had to be done.

A few months back, Fergus had approached me to take on the role of Production Manager after my stint as Casting Director. It was an honor. According to Fergus, I'm the one you come to if you've got a tummy ache, if your heel breaks, if you're unmotivated, if your fingernail breaks, if your zipper doesn't work, if you're dress is falling apart, if your Evian and Beluga hasn't arrived (by Evian I mean Eau Claire - it's as foreign sounding as we can find - and by Beluga I mean McDonald's Chicken Nuggets).

I'm pretty much there to make sure everyone is there to run everything on time in the right place. Shouldn't be too difficult. So with casting 90% complete and production kicking into first gear, I am once again entering into Energizer Bunny mode.

Or so I thought. Because essentially, unlike Casting where 90% of the work has to be put in before I proceed to the crucial 10%, with production, I only put in 10% and the 90% is, well, the crucial 90% that's going to come very soon. I'm still very much psyched.

In fact, I'm so psyched that last week, my first break from anything RSD related got me panicking and anxious.

Me: Fergus, there's nothing scheduled for RSD this week right?
Fergus: No, take it as a break.
Me: Are you sure? Wasn't I supposed to call someone? Weren't we supposed to see someone?
Fergus: No, it's just mostly me dealing with the music and recce from here on.
Me: We're not casting anyone? Any production details to go over?
Fergus: It's a very well-deserved break Eevon...go enjoy your weekend already!
Me: Are you very sure?
Fergus: Eevon Chung...
Me: Okay, okay.

Honestly...I still think I'm missing something out.

Anyhow, your Casting Director is taking a bow and if you have any whims and fancies during production, do feel free to consult your Production Manager. If she decides to ignore your Diva-esque requests, she apologizes in advance. And no, we're not getting personalized and private trailers. But, I might be able to negotiate for your own chair.

Cheers!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

TOUCHING A DREAM...

Dreams are strange things - usually lofty, usually at the end of a long road, usually difficult to obtain.

Yet dreams... are contagious, invoke passion and undoubtedly worth it at the very end.

Yesterday, the road to the RSD dream continued. Plans were considered, schedules were worked out and the shoot was preliminarily planned. It was but a small step in our great leap of faith - yet while I was gesturing wildly at the projected Gantt chart (which, with the help of a projecter covered 1/3 of Fergus' wall), explaining some idea or another I cannot help but felt excitement. As my hand moves over the chart - I feel like as if I am literally touching a dream - one that Fergus has so generously shared with us.

Mind you, there is a long way to go - but finally I can see that we are plotting a course to our destination - the chart is being drawn, ready for us to navigate! And what a breath-taking journey it will be.

God said, "My presence will go with you. I'll see the journey to the end."
Exodus 33:14 (The Message)

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

MAY I TAKE YOUR ORDERS PLEASE?














Jack and Fergus hard at work.

I was goofing around. And taking pictures of pre-production of course. When we were done, there was a tinggling sensation that ran from the base of my neck till the bottom of my spine. It's exciting to see tasks and schedules, rehearsal and shoot dates materializing in front of you.


















United Colors of Benetton, step aside!

I got really giddy seeing all the colors on Fergus' notebook. Aren't they pretty? I think this is Fergus' way of compensating for the hard work we're all going to put in very soon. At least he's got a pretty schedule up and running.















My, my...what big feet you have, Jack.

This is more proof of me goofing around. By the end of the night, we were either running on a really good RSD high, or suffering from brain damage. The Gantt chart was massive! We were giggly and laughing at gross indecencies that I won't be sharing here. But it's all good and "everything will be beautiful...".

A STAR IS BORN

Every night is a new beginning. Every night, a window is opened on prehistory.

Last night, with the trusty help of Jack and Eevon, we completed both the rehearsal and shooting schedules on a Gantt chart. It helps to see everything put down, and it is definittely exciting to behold.

I'm still gripped with an unshakable fear of the bollywood shoot and all the preparation it entails, but i guess if there's something for me to fear, it ought to be that. Bhangra aside, i can feel the wave of confidence kicking through the whole team now.