All good things come to an end

Wow, so I haven't blogged since the Dominican! Updates..

I made it back safely to the US - - pinched myself to make sure that all just happened. The friends and great company I met and will continue to keep in touch with, truly made the Film Festival an event to remember. I am still waiting for all the pictures to surface!!

So once returned, it was just in time for Thanksgiving. George and I had a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner at Sargent Major and Cheryl Long's house on base.. again, in great company. It was a chilly evening and the Cowboys lost BUT it was a game of suspense, ha! Happy belated Turkey Day!!

Soon after the food coma, we were prepping for the last hoorah on set for Refuge from the Storm. Since we had one more week to go, after coming back from a really nice month long break.. it was a small task to get back into the swing of things. Especially the 15-17 hour days! Easy to slide back into schedule because of the crew back together :) :) I did miss everyone and I realized I missed them even more at the reunion for this last week. I will do my darndest to keep in touch with everyone!!!

NOW. REFUGE OF THE STORM. Michael and Christian Madsen are just plain awesome. They were an ease to dress, fun to chat with, hard to beat in H.o.r.s.e (it was an off day for me :)), and all around genuine guys. The caliber of acting that took place once they were on set was amazing. I am so excited for the premier in April! My time to shine was on Monday of last week.. I had about a page of dialogue, and I have no idea what it looked like or how I did. Was it believable? We shall see! I was made up like my alter ego and it was amazing hahaha I went from my 15hr workday sports clothes for comfort to va-va-VOOM! I will be pushing this movie until you there.. in that seat.. go and see it in theaters. Wahooo!!! As of now: THAT'S A WRAP!

Recap: These last couple months have been a whirlwind of incredible opportunities. Now, I'm getting the gist that it is time for me to grab it all by the horns and take advantage of what has been placed in front of me. I am having trouble figuring out what my next steps are. Unfortunately I do not have the liberty to sit and ponder these next steps too long, as finances have never been up in the air like they are for the beginning of 2011. My hats and weight-worthy titles I've held are in my tool belt.. and I'm not quite sure where to go to use them all! This is my resolution. . to figure that out. Thoughts? Let me know!

Bracing for Christmas 2010.. it's been one helluva year that's for sure. Things are still moving along and I know the purpose of everything that took place this year will be revealed in new friends, jobs, projects, interests, lessons, and ultimately a successful future. I'm praying and listening ever so intently to my direction... I will be praying harder and listening to the softer knudges and hopefully by January 2011 I will know just what I am doing! What a fun update for me!

The next couple blogs will likely be of a reminiscing mind, embracing this World that keeps turning. I will be with family the next couple weeks, trying to relax.. so updates of those closest to me will be my focus! I am excited to share!! Love you all who still follow :)

...it continues! xo

The General's Casa

Last night here.. and I enjoyed it in the middle of no-where (literally), singing karaoke and eating a pig, goat, and chicken. I do hope I can get pics and videos up of tonight, I had the best time. I was with the true grupo Bruce Logan, Michael & Juliet HOlleran, Paul Johannson, Philip Steven Miller, Mike Marvin, Samuel Toribio, the General of DR, his lovely wife, Johnny the security.. we sang like there was no tomorrow. Sorry to those who heard it. ;) and danced like there was no tomorrow.

So I'm leaving Dominican Republic manana.. as sad as I am to see it go, I am happy to be coming home to San Diego. Madsen came last year to this event, so I have many stories on him and feel like I already know him for when we go into production in the next week or so for Refuge of the Storm. I'm proud to be here because of Elisa Acosta. He's truly a genuine human being. As for the rest of the hooligans, I am writing a script that will resemble Ocean's 11.. except it's Ocean's 5. Everyone I've met this trip has been amazing, and I intend on following up with each and every one. Evan my airline owner that I met today. . Jesus! It has been amazing. I will continue to push for video game production here in the DR, it is possible! The future.

I look forward to seeing where we all are and how we're connected in the next year. I appreciate each of your talents, and wish you the best!

Last call out from the DR ~

Katherine

Cap Cana

Well, 2 nights ago was interesting.. We went 'off campus' to a Angelo restaurant in one of the squares here in the DR, right across from Columbus's house. Yes, Christopher Columbus.. he made his first stop here in the Dominican. Anyway, food was righteous and we had a lovely time! Next someone found a club that we alllll danced meringue in - amazing. I definitely got my work out in! I then came back to the hotel and we played at the casino! I lost and won someone else's money :) It worked out nicely.

Yesterday we are traveled across the island and landed in Cap Cana! We went from bus to jet to bus to bus and we arrived in Cap Cana's most amazing resort, spa and lodge - Secrets Sanctuary. LOOK THIS PLACE UP! I am taking many many pictures, but the pictures on their site are either exactly it or it doesn't do it justice. Everything is all inclusive, even the alcohol.. es muy bueno.

Today there were presentations on all industries and those representing those industries, mine being video game production and pushing how lucrative it is ((bigger sales than movie industry, believe it or not) and how I would build it to US standards, fit for the Dominican.. Cap Cana more specifically. PUMPED! This evening I plan on going to a few screenings/films and some workshops tomorrow.

Then tomorrow afternoon we are all jumping back on the tiny jet and heading back to the hotel in Santo Domingo. Final nights..!! Must make the best of it! I promise to provide a link to all pictures, but for now I do have some on my facebook - www.facebook.com/kberger1103 from opening night and things. There are SO much more. .

Xoxo!
Love from Cap Cana

Well, I'm looking forward to CC. The beaches are beautiful!!!

Red Carpet! Opening Night

It is 1AM and we are just eating and starting the partying. My last post, I was so sorrily incorrect on the time.. I ended up having less than an hour to get ready. I found out what time it REALLY was, at the pool when discussing the nights festivities. Yikes!! I pulled it off however, and I can't wait to see pictures and videos. It was televised live here in DR and surrounding countries.. where I was on the green carpet, their version of red carpet. SO much fun. I had a rockstar moment.

Prior to the carpet, we had a pre-party gathering where I greeted El Presidente once more, met and took pictures with Sammy Sosa, Benicio del Toro, and Barry Bonds. The General also discussed possibly taking a tour this week of the Dominican to show the sights, from the mountains to the beaches, complete with a spread of cultural DR food. Un-believable.

I digress.. the ceremony was beautiful, honoring reknown film guru Arturo Rodriguez Fernandez, famous actress Claudia Cardinale, Benicio del Toro, and more. We then watched a 2 hour film in the National Theater, o Teatro Nacional.. Woman and Child. Great movie, and an extremely impressive cast. Directed by Rodrigo Garcia, included a cast of Samuel L Jackson, Annette Benning, Naomi Watts, Kerry Washington, and Amy Brenneman of Private Practice. You can look up the trailer actually.

NOW we are on to the eating and partying it up. Meringue will be breaking hips this evening. I just ate and came to the room to powder up.. now I must head back down to either say my good-nights - HA, no no.. they wouldn't let me sneak away that easily.. and early. 


Party on, party people. . the Festival has been kicked off royally! More to come!

Oh this is going to be fun

So I woke up from a phone call via Elias.. and went down stairs to meet him. He finally got in after a hell of a day of traveling. Got stuck in Miami.

So at dinner, I met Walter, Randy, Miquele, Storm, Justin, saw Brian and Chip again, and we all hung with E, Bruce, Philip (which in my previous blog was 'Kevin or Keith' oops), PJ, Juliet and Mike, and I'm sure more.. sorry.. light bit of dinner and a lot bit of drinking. Tried scotch or LIFE as my new friend Lynette calls it :) I was told a DR joke in which they'd rather spill blood/Life over alcohol. . anyway, I had some wine, and a mojito as well.. some karaoke and chatting, and now it's really time for bed. I have no idea what time it is. All clocks are wrong and there isn't a master in the bedroom. I swear they do it on purpose. Especially since there is a casino down stairs.

I have a feeling this week will bring a lot of great memories. I have already started the quote book, I can't wait to review tomorrow. Imagine sitting with all very powerful people and sharing salus, laughs and inside jokes.

Again, tomorrow is the red carpet event. . Can't wait! Storm is the producer of a pretty interesting story that is being shown last on Sunday, I'll post a link of it when I can. It involves the background of DR politics.. always intriguing. The hotel I am staying in also has a celeb background, being the 'nicest hotel here'. It was used in filming the Godfather, taped as Cuba. Super cool. If I can get to the roof I will take a pic and post! That is where the wedding and cake scene is, if you can remember.

Until tomorrow ~ I bid farewell, and goodnight! Ciao

Hello Dominican Republic!

 After 8 total hours of flying, 4 with entertainment (George was on his way to UnderArmour and the Ravens.. and hopped on the flight to Newark!) and 4 sitting in the middle of the Dominican. I thought it was bad in Cancun, but now I actually have to talk business, and I can not understand 4 of the 5 words that are spoken to me. So much for those classes throughout the years! I've got to jump on this spanish bandwagon. . any way.. on the resort is a little bit better. My guide Seires (pronounced like Sadies) is an adorable Dominican girl :) She was holding my name at the airport and was excited to see who she would be leading around was a young female.. Although her English is no bueno, and my Spanish is horrendous, we've already established that we are going to learn from each other. Hand signs and charades will do for now.

On the way to my destination, driving is organized chaos as any foreign country is to an outsider. I'm pretty sure most of the way we were going 130 mph. I should've taken a picture of his speedometer. . I thought maybe it was broken? People don't stay in lanes, if there is one. Small chirpy honks are many, to let someone know you may be taking off their side mirrors, but that's all. People are literally crossing the street like it's a suburban road, but in reality it's a 3 lane highway with flow of traffic going 100+. Ha! Hey, if it works for them, then I won't freak out.

Got to the Occidental El Embajador Hotel and got my room (no idea what to tip).. thought I was going to take a nap, so I unpacked a bit and was getting ready to lay down - Seires calls and says she's hungry. Haha I guess she's on my time.. so she takes me down to eat. I get some fruit and cucumbers, pasta, slice of bread, and as I'm sitting down, some friends Michael and Julia Holleran ask.. "You're going to eat fruit?" I said "No." lol Then they proceed to order my drink of Coke (of which I don't ever drink, ever) without ice. It is the only thing that doesn't have water or fruit in it, and that is available.
Alright. . so I pick at what I have and I can already tell that if I want to lose weight, my goal will rapidly be achieved. Keep in mind, in the neighboring country, Haiti, Cholera outbreak has 14,000 infected and 900+ dead to date. Transmitted by bacteria in water. . . ehk. Prayers, please?

After, we go inside for drinks as Seires and other 'guides' are sitting off to the side.. I have a rum and coke (with no ice)! VERY good by the way. I see Bruce Logan roaming the poolside with his cigars and say hello to him and he introduces me to director Keith or Kevin.. I've got to find a way to remember names!!!

So.. I have now made it back up to my room for a nap. I am so bloated due to flying, my toes look like sausages. My body will love laying down. .  I have internet and thank you to George Whitfield for lending me his laptop. Facebook, blogging, and email is all I've got. I am so excited for opening night tomorrow! Tonight is opening night for all of the 4 or 5 provinces.. tomorrow is the red carpet. :)

I'm sure my posts will get fewer as the week goes on and my itinerary get filled.. and Seires has more things for me to do, but I will try and keep it up!

A Dominican XOXO

Mocap

I wanted to do a post on motion capture (mocap) that is used in movies (like Avatar) to capture human or character movement, and is more recently being used in video games for 3D motion. As I peruse the sites looking for some fun links for you to view, I came across a nice description as to why humans are used for animal characters in animation. . .

Humans are the vast majority of mocap actors, because humans are patient, will take direction, and will not attempt to lick markers off their bodies, unlike dogs, cats, tarantulas, and so forth.

I couldn't stop laughing so I figured I would just share. :) It makes sense, it's just random. Maybe I'm easily amused.

Post-DR and wrap on set for Refuge from the Storm, the snowball just gets going faster. I will be starting production on yet another feature film and production on a video game thriller - - helping produce as well as stepping in with my skills in mocap as a character in the game! Uber exciting. Watch for more updates on that! 

Happy Friday!!

PS. Clip that shows a bit of mocap with markers and cams:

Avatar 

Hat #1292

#1292: Consulate in training
I will tred lightly for those background-checking me in different camps.. personal and business. I appreciate being 5 minutes of your day, I'm actually flattered. I assure you, you will find nothing - nothing but an awesome person, a clean slate, and this blog. I presume I will not hear a confirmation of your findings, not even a wink to let me know you've read this when we meet next. I am so very fortunate we met!

Yesterday, I dined with an Assistant US Attorney, DEA Agent, and a visual and computer graphics supervisor with a long list of blockbuster movies - also known as Clint Eastwood's producer and confidant.
Today, I met with an overseas General, a Producer/War Analyst, a Biometric and digital imaging company.. and several others with the brilliance gene.

Who am I to find myself sitting among the elite? ;)

HoMeWoRk before I leave Monday.. and a quick brush up on my Espanol!  Santo Domingo, Port au Prince, and Cap Cana I shall meet soon enough!

KT

One more thing..

.. can I mention that I will be having dinner tomorrow with Liz Radley, a well known and seasoned video and computer graphics guru? She is the answer to my prayers. Look her up.

That is all.
:)

SIKE!

I kid. We have now pushed what's left of production to after Thanksgiving!

Therefore I have time to set up my path in DR next week. BIG meetings, BIG people with BIG titles. BIG doors and BIG opportunities await. . and if you would like to think that I have received this path by coincedence or whatever means you want to think up outside of God - - just keep following, and I'll show you why it is only Him who provides blessings. Not the universe, the gods of materialism or anything tangible, not the stars, and certainly no taroh cards, crystals, or called upon spirits are able to make these avenues so conveniently reachable. Simply the one who loves, and loves to bless when believed in and called upon, feared and respected.

I've moved a lot of things out of my way to make sure this wire of communication to those above is clear and there are no intrusions, disturbances or disruptions in the way. I'm continuously working on that and it may be medium to high speed like u-verse, but it isn't and probably never will be the speed of light.

Spoke to a friend of several several years today, I got him all filled in and up to date on what was going on with me. Listening to myself give the rundown of everything that's been happening.. it's laughable how many hats I've had in almost exactly 1 year. Ready? Breakdown of what my resume would look like:

Senior Traffic Coordinator - Project Management
Senior Production - Print/Media, Full service marketing agency
Sports Marketing - various companies
Vice President - Launched new off-season football league
Director of Marketing and Operations - Football League & Academy
Model/Actress - Feature film, shoots, short films, fashion series, fashion shows, etc
Costume Designer - Feature film
Make-up & Hair Assistant - Feature film
Video Game Build & Producer - Motion capture projects

1 year, but with many years prior in study and learning. Kind of. ;) I say it's because I am outgoing, but not everyone outgoing has chances like these. Not everyone Christian has chances like these either - not exact, but blessed in their own way undoubtedly. On the contrary, even those that are not Christian have these opportunities.. my opinion is, I just get 10 times more out of it, and pass it on. Deeper meanings, bigger relationships, and many more blessings - what the human eye can see as well as what it can not. I consider myself extremely blessed. I can also say at any low point in my life, that I'd say the same thing.. my outlook wouldn't change. I'd still have a smile on my face. I actually live for the challenges, (I've always said this.. even in the middle of blow-out fights in pubescent fury with the parental units years ago) because I know someone has my back. I'm a tester and I like to push boundaries.. :) I will push in to many other hats.. and I will keep blogging about it.

lurve ya all! :x

Home stretch

Got the last 2 call sheets, perhaps we have 1 or 2 more after that.. 6:30AM call time, prooobably working to the wee morning hours is my guess.

Average day of shooting is 6 pages in the script, various scenes. That accounts for a good 12-13 hour day typically.. and most times we go over. These last couple call sheets call for 8 pages in the script, calling for 15 hours.. pushing 20 is my guess.

Fun part is my scenes are in those 2 call sheets.. :D Batter up!
Madsen will be gracing us with his presence as well as his son Christian for his film debut.

Schedule ran past due date so we've lost some of our crew family..
Thor Lengies (sound): it's been real man! Been awesome working with you.. I've made my list of fabrics to use when I want to cause trouble ;) thanks for the lessons sir. Tell your creative Debbie gracias as well!

Adam Rudder (1st AD): well done, well done. Thanks for your voice in it's entirety, and direction you've provided! We shall be in touch yes we will..

I believe there are more but those guys are my homies. Onward march..
Big wrap is a'comin! Then not 24 hours after, my initerary says I will be boarding a plane to Jersey.. then to DR baby! I will continue posting through that experience, with a gargantuan number of pics.

With me.. Elias Acosta, Bruce Logan, and Peter Levermann make the gang en route. Homework to do, homework to do! If you feel you know more than me in video games or game production... Show yourself! Let's chat ;)

Running around today, wrapping up loose ends in other projects and piecing together wardrobe.. Busy busy lady! Keep following!

Xo


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Kat's Casa

The time is rolling, we are in the 4th week... Mid-week, however our lead is shooting another film in Europe and has pushed our schedule out another week or so. Eh, it's gone fast enough, it's just going to get faster. Especially if we are hitting the 3AM to 3PM work hours.. yes, that's morning start to afternoon wrap. Film industry says this is a regular scenario when using locations like bar scenes, etc. I am a night person but I'm not sure if this counts!

We are on set at yet another gorgeous mansion, beautiful property!! I wish I could post pictures... but no can do :( You must wait for our trailer and premier I'm sorry to say.

It's has been so neat working with different personalities and experience levels.. both crew and cast. So many new opportunities, doors opening, and network building... and so very interesting getting life stories of everyone on set and those that we use This industry really does bring all walks together! I'm in love!




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GASP

Last break off before last week of production! 2 days this time, and it is WONDERFUL. Sleeping in was amazing. I am fighting off a cold but with my pedialyte.. all's well!

Massage, movie, and play for Halloween!! I don't know where this month of October went.. Amazing things I tell you. Soon to meet Legendary folk and chat about my mocap future predictions.. I've got some homework to do to prepare!!
:) :)

Dry clean some pieces, n schedule my check ups.. Yay for a free day!




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Oh the irony

..as I speak of this lovely office bathroom I've decorated with wardrobe, hair and makeup.. some mental lady came in to rummage through makeup bags and steal scripts!! What the hell?!?

Fortunately after telling Coreys daughter she had diarrhea and that she wasn't taking anything.. She took some lip gloss and our lead's script. Haha again, uhhhmm.. ? Then threw away her script in the trash can outside of the bathroom. THANKFULLY. Psycho people with blue visors and new pink lip gloss really erk me! Sorry Corey!!

Then I misplaced my script and notebook and had everyone looking (thanks all!) but found it!
Chaos I tell you.

Now I'm currently on a bus as an extra - you can see the top of my head only bc I will be an actual character later in production. :) look for me in the bus when it comes out! The audio guy is in front of me, scripty to the left.. And a bunch of extras in the back o the bus..

More fun on extras by the way, are adorable.. Some are just so excited they don't know what to do with themselves. Some come expecting or reeeeally really wanting to feel like a movie star and get that special treatment. Hair done, makeup, accessorize and wardobe.. haha they're cute but you must understand you're only there to be a body folks. We ask you to be an extra for what you look like. Some feel the need at the most awkward moments to tell you who they've met, seen, or worked with.. Even if it was 50 years ago. I think it's so much fun for them.. it's cool for me being on this side of the industry. :)

Alright. Bus drive is making me sleepy and I was told by Bruce since he's director Logan for the day that my phone was reflecting and burning a hole in the lead actresses face. My bad. We shall post now!


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Office/Public bathroom

If I ever thought I'd post about working out of a public bathroom, at a transit station or subway nonetheless... Uhhhm. . .

So here I am! Getting the cast ready for our scenes today in a bathroom. My rack is in a handicap stall and makeup/hair is right in front of it. I drove up this morning looking for the trailor.. Somebody (God) told someone (crew) to NOT bring the trailor today. So we make do with what we have and get going on what we gotta do. In a million-visitor-billion-germ-place-of-waste.. Here I sit. Haha I know that sounds horrible but from what I hear it's a heck of a lot better than the men's. Hand sanitizer will be passed around all day long.

Cool how all works out, especially those things that are almost 100% expected to go wrong.. God provides. He provides answers, moves things and people along to where they need to be, and so delicately positioned and place to where you know somebody has it all under control. ;) His promises are promises, not one I've found to be anything less than what I've held Him accountable for. Very cool.

So today we are on location at the station. Yesterday we were at the studio for clinic scenes... Greatly intense scenes, blood n stuff. Yyum. I shall enjoy my day of sunshine with strangers!!




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Fun facts.. Mark it!

Some fun facts of the day..
Regarding the clapperboard, slate or marker that you see before scenes in production.

Its job is to provide vital information about the scene at its very beginning. The clapperboard has the scene name, the take number, and any other vital information on it that would help identify particular video clips from all others. It also gives an audio synchronization point for the editor in post production (since they come into editing, seperately). If the audio and the video were not matched up perfectly you could clap together the two-hinged pieces of the board, and then the editor could line up the clap sound with the actual motion. As most see, this is done at the very beginning of the scene so that it can be easily lined up, before being cut apart in the editing process.

When a movie's sound and picture are out of synchronization, they call it a lip flap.

Black and white stripes? Diagonal lines of black and white strips are there in order to ensure a clear visual of the clap in almost any lighting condition.

All more simple than you may think!

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Waring thin mints

Hello, hello!
Well we're in to week 3, and time is definitely speeding by. Our bodies are feeling it, as well as the creditors. Haha I kid but I do know finding time for small life details is close to impossible. Laundry, being social, playing soccer/sports or working out, paying bills, and any other plans outside of this is not happening.

We've had a handful feel the bug exhaustion brings. Elias, our director is home ill today. He was looking rabbid yesterday and though he is dedicated - only so much you can do when your body limits are well passed their boundaries.

I completely understand why actors have managers.. If you truly love what youre doing, it's hard to pace yourself 1, and 2 everyone demands you! Your body and/or knowledge makes you irreplaceable.

I also give mad props to the directors and lighting. While the rest of us can grab a 5 min break in between or during scenes, they are constantly going. They stop, progress stops. Great job for those with a visual, creative mind.. So much fun and an accomplished feeling when you see your movie complete. First hand though, they do work for their pay!

It's another rainy cold day, and we have another company move today - it's going to be a looong day. With Elias gone, Bruce Logan and Terry Boen are ON. Combined, those two have got more experience over everyone else combined. :)

Get better E!! Happy birthday Katie and Tommy! (thats a country song!) Big family we are.

Back to work! We make blood today, to splatter everywhere tomorrow! Good day.



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Evils arrival

Skipped yesterday blogging, it's been packed with busy-ness! If it weren't for wardrobe asst Kami, I'd be screwed today. We had a loong last couple days at the Victorian mansion.. she went shopping for today's wardrobe pieces! She did very well I must say, working within our budget.

So we've wrapped Sandra(mom), Granny, one doctor, and both servants! It's nice (with all do respect) getting rid of talent. :) and all their outfits out of the way.

I do however have to get ready for the new cast rolling in.. The first of which arrived today. Playing the main evil seductress, Jane Santos has made her way on set to watch the happenings behind the scenes. Exciting! She's adorable and so sweet 'in real life'.. She's helping me with my espanol (Dominican) and I'm helping her with her English. Fun fun, in time for visiting the DR next month :D :D

Week 2 almost complete!!

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Victorian Mansion!

Beautiful set number 2 for the day. Even though it's down pouring, everyone is in high spirits! As everyone was at lunch I took a trip through the house and have it below... Incredible! Enjoy!

Okay, so blogspot is updating their photobin.. so I can't upload just yet. I will!

Intern/Assistant is lovely, though she had to stand in this morning as an extra instead of tagging along with me. She wasn't too happy about that. I kept her til about 5:30 and she was feelin it.. Yawnin' and lacking the 15 hour drive. We'll be working on that. :) she's more of a stylist, which is perfect bc I need my shopping list of outfits to be shopped for! Madsen and son, as well as a few others needs some love in the wardrobe dept. She's the woman to do the job. So happy to have help.

Today was a good day but the rain is monsoon-like. My VSA on my car kept lighting up when I was hydroplaning.. Kinda fun. It's like Texas in the spring!

New members on set and excited/bubbly extras kept me rolling today.. Dinner parties and delirium, I really wish we got some of the hilarious outtakes on camera. It will definitely be in the bloopers reel! I am SO excited to see all of this in April 2011! Premiers will be in LA, San Diego, NY, and Dominican Republic. Fun trips eh?!

I am going to start reporting some of the neat stories that keep popping up regarding our crew, cast, and really anyone that has anything to do with this movie. Strange things falling into place and happenings all by chance - but too chancy to explain.. :) somebody is at work, weaving us all into a master plan. It is so evident, it's a suspense waiting to find out why, where and what we're moving towards. Tiny to huge, it's all pretty cool.

Keep the faith!! List starts tomorrow!
Along with this Victorian video, hopefully.

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Rainy day at the cemetary

Starting off at a funeral.. Perfect rainy day!





Eerie.


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Blood curlding screams

Happy Monday! Good start of the week I'd say. One location, one cast member, one loong day, and several intense scenes later..

Wow does she have some lungs on her. I had to step in and be the makeup/blood distributor during rolling scenes today.. Love contributing to visual gore. She has blond hair so it was pretty evident.

I finally took the time to call back some assistants to intern with me, provided by Adam and Peter, thank you :). Ms Francis will be meeting the cast and crew tomorrow morning at 6:45am at the cemetary for a funeral.. (scene). She's probably wondering what she's gotten herself into, but she's excited either way. Haha I'm excited to have the extra hand.

To do list mañana:
Call michael madsen to get his and his sons sizes
Go to a funeral
Go to Granny's house, Victorian mansion.. and cross fingers that no ones outfit clashes with this elaborate museum
Play
Blog!
Shop.

I heart all! I want to continue but I'm tired and will be up in hours.. Exciting parts coming!

Kate

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Average height of an actor

..for women is 5'3?
You should google that bc that's my estimate. They look taller on television and movies but really they're mini. Same with the Tom Cruises of the world, I'd say average male is around 5'8. Gwyneth Paltrow and I will just get better as we age.. as we shrink. Ha

So today's day off is great bc it's a day off but the day itself, eh. Good sleeping day but moody.
I've got to go shopping for some things before crew call in the morning.. Random things.
So remainder of day off #1 of 4 in a month, shop, church, eaaat!

I have found just how much I miss dining. Homemade food is fantastic and I definitely missed that.. I will now never take eating out for granted, and I crave it. This should be exciting. Didn't realize I liked food this much!

Check out brit Bruce Logan, he is our cinematographer with a ridiculous resume. Star Wars was one among many that I was impressed at. My hair and makeup chika Corey has worked on Two and a half Men and day before yesterday was on set with the tiny Courtney Cox. Pretty nifty.
Due to us having such a low fund and smaller family, even though some have more on their plate than they can handle, the lines of communication are much shorter and intimate.. I took Bruce, Terry, Elias, and one of our talent home one night. Or back to the office. Cool.

Well I'm going to try and enjoy the hours left of nada-ness.
More manana!

Go Rangers!!

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Amazing

Week 1 = COMPLETE.
I have finished the first week of filming on Refuge from the Storm, and it has been a whirlwind of new..
Today we shot a scene at a christian festival, with great speakers and even better costumes. ;) It was cloudy and in the 60's, drizzly and gross, but somehow I've found the ecstatic inside me that leaps when I think about the first benchmark. I made it through a hectic week, and the outcome wasn't just okay, it was amazing.

The more I chat with people on set, crew and cast, the more I realize just how in the dark I am about how I came to be here. I explain it to everyone like I am in a pitch black mansion, blindfolded, and running full speed through it - with someone else leading me.. full trust. No idea where I am or how I got there, but the faith I have that all of this will be worth so much more than I think one day. I also am understanding more of the storyline, and who it happened to, to make this movie possible. It takes one hell of a woman to go through something that can be made into a rated R movie, and come out a God-fearing Christian.

I feel accomplished, and I know I'll continue to be the sponge I feel I am on set. 3 more weeks, with the last being the most impacted scheduling. Not sure if I put this in here before, but a typical day revolves around scheduling on average about 6 pages of script in a day. We've been scheduled for about 7-8 and going 15 hours a day. To put the last week in perspective, we've scheduled for 15 hours a day, so who knows what it will actually turn out to be! Michael Madsen will be there that week, and it is also the week I will be doing my part as Didi. I'll be a punk rock bar manager with a tattoo on my face, extensions, and a sexy outfit - dressed by me. Ha. I'm pumped.

ANywho - I'm off for a whole 24 hours. I will be relaxing hopefully. . glorifying Him is hard work!! Thank you to the moms, aunts, and supporters for the catered home cooked meals for the crew and cast. Again, amazing. Thank you as well for making us all eat. Next week will be catered, but guarantee it won't have the same home-cooked filling feeling!

I will make it a point to take more pics and get them up!! Set is so much fun!!

xo

Scenes and conflicts

So.. Last night I got home at 4 in the morning. It has been so rainy and cold that I just want to stay in bed, or better yet be in bed, period. It was a long day and the last day on location at the trelawney lane house.. Much appreciation to Linda. :) What a genuinely nice and kind spirited lady, and cat Shadow. We had to finish all pieces.. and what the Asst producer called imopossible, we've done. I see now how everyone becomes like such a family after filming or how romance blossoms from shows or movie sets. It's a tight knit group with detailed issues that effect every dept. "That's f'n teamwork!"

We've had talent or cast call a day before set, or literAlly hours prior to filming and cancel. (fortunately not any big parts) Schedules constantly change, pushing moving and cutting scenes.. We've had very important staff not show and no call.. Setting us all back. However all in all, the show goes on - in His name. The first week is almost done and we get our one day off on Sunday! Exciting lots of sleep to be had!

We did a club/bar scene tonight that was hilarious.. Bloopers galore.

Cast is all so awesome. Lead and supporting bff have great chemistry and will definitely keep it interesting on screen. I can not WAIT to see the end result already. Not to mention it is a true story.. And the more I find out about who it is that the story is based on, is such an interesting and exciting thing to be a part of. I again have no idea why I'm here.. As a human. It's a supernatural thing.

I want to write a long note with detail on all things per week, a little more intimate than my daily blogs - when I have time on my day off.

Meantime, I need as much sleep as I can get!!! Love you all, and if you're reading - please 'Follow' me so I know who to shout out. I know the whole fam checks this daily so do me a favor and make yourself a follower of this weird trekk I'm on..

That's a wrap!!


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Ouija

6AM to 9:15PM. Takes an hour to get there and an hour back.
I just wanted to put that in perspective.

I got home and zonked out, and am eccstatic that our crew call is at Noon today!! Sweet sweet shut-eye. Funny that right next to our breakfast, lunch, and dinner is a full box of Emergen-C just in case anyone decides to get sick. :) Proactive.

Yesterdays scenes were incredible and the fact that this story is true, really grabs you when intense scenes take place. Today is the last day on this set! We move forth tomorrow to a new location and brand new cast. That means new wardrobe and new worries. The lead has 38 wardrobe changes... ...and 15 was my max for one person thus far. The changes in just THAT number were momentus. Haha oh dear. It can be done! It shall be done. Things that make it difficult:
Background on location
Surrounding patterns and colors
Lead vs supporting
..and of course, does it look goood.
No stripes, no logos, no lady gaga. That's going to be the name of my book.

I will take some pics of crew and perhaps some cast - our star being Michael Madsen. I know him from Free Willy :D.
Oh! I forgot to say that I will be supporting as well.. As a manager at a bar. My 'look' is dramatic and fantabulous. I'm uber excited. Hah! More to come, but I must enjoy my free morning! I've turned in my 5:00 morning drive to the set, for a 1:00 morning drive home from the set tonight. I'm more night person anyway.

Love


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2. All new.

Hot firebird for the lady and her chilen ;) First scene, 4 outfits. On the way to Granny's!

It's musical walkietalkies this morning, due to technical difficulties.. but it's cool. We're only 5 feet away from each other at times, we just like to look important. Haha

Townspeople are rubbernecking, with our cameras and audio set up in the middle of the road in the middle of nowhere. Some are
nice, some are NOT. Yikes.

Full speed ahead!


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Dude.

The first day hath closed. Amazing process and great cast. Only day one of 6 to 10 on set, 21 more to go!

Little ones were up to shine today, they did wonderful. Boom, grips and gaffers were introduced (check out that new lingo).. all very cool. Without saying too much, a creepy cast member reaallly plays it well. . . Well done sir! My joint partner in crime, makeup and hair, is incredible as well. She's told her tv series Chuck (heard of it?!) to hold for our film here, pretty nice.

Day started out dark.. Gonna have to get used to these wee morning hours :) right. Lunch came late but the tacos, cake, and tea were worth it.

Day in the life of a costume designer..
coffee spilled on first outfit
forgot the lint roller
wrong button on my walkie, oops.
5 (or more, lame) buttons fell off of costume #2 for cast #3
muddied white canvas shoes
mic's teeth made the young ones whimper as I very carfully mic'd them
outfit #9 for cast #2 unexpectedly looked like a banana.. "Hold for wardrobe change.."
makeup all over a guys polo shirt.. They're obviously not used to that.
food in the teeth
no phones on set.. Then gomer pile's theme song rings twice - "CUT!!"
tape on the boobs
and the marker guy thinking his job couldn't get any better, amused me throughout the day.

Wow. Day dos, mañana! :D
Sleep awaits!
More pics to come..

Xox!


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Location:Bella Pacific Row,San Diego,United States

Days on!!

Cast is doing awesome.. Crew is splendid - great work. Good day!



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Location:Trelawney Ln,Fallbrook,United States

1 Long day down

Well.. One full day down! Costumes for day 1, 2, and 3 are loaded and on location. A long 12+ hour day with nothing but my own thoughts to listen to.. It went by fast! Eating disappears into the timeline on days like these. Fortunately we will get fed on set twice a day from now on, hooray :)

The real work starts in a few hours, and I am NOT a morning person. FRS healthy energy needs to jump on board here... Starbucks just can't be close enough. 5AM comes quickly, but my first day on Refuge of the Storm commences! Such a surreal ordeal, who'dathunk?!

Amazing, the paths He takes you when you've opened your heart, dropped all judgements, and surrendered your lifes path. Children, education, pharmaceutical marketing, project mgmt and leading production, media and print, sports marketing, vice president, football, modeling, acting, producing, costume design.. taking over the world. It's overwhelming and I'm loving it.

All this change and I've been placed in the hands of a group of hardworking successful people who pray together before starting the day.. a coincedence?

"Coincedences are God's way of remaining anonymous.."

On to the new chapter!




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Location:San Diego Fwy,San Diego,United States

..and it begins!

So the day has begun.. I'm setting up my scenes for the week, wardrobes in (still being bought) and numbered for our out-of-order orderly fashion for filming.
Studio above is being transformed into parts of the movie.. Walls share the space that'll play out the most evil shots, steps away from a place of mercy and forgiveness... hence the nickname I've dubbed "Magic Studio." It'll house many emotions and morph overnight what the next days set needs, details perfected at 6AM.

Hustle and bustle, last minute calls, fits, lines, and breaths.. We roll in the morning!!

Location:Mar Vista Dr,Vista,United States