August 10, 2008 – The Day That Will Live in Infamy

Sunday was going really well on set. We were on schedule, things were jelling just right. My actors and crew were giving me 110%. I knew things were going too well.

We shot scene 40 yesterday, which I am not going to spoil here as it is one of the most pivotal scenes in the movie. The scene involves two characters arguing and to stop one he pushes the other against a wall. I think it might be the only physically violent stunt in the film and it’s not really that violent.

So we shot the scene for one actors coverage and I kept freaking out thinking we were actually hurting Ashton but he swore he wasn’t hurt and was actually controlling the action. The acting was amazing. I was blown away. I was so excited about the scene. So we switched to do coverage on Dave and go through the entire scene again.

I don’t even remember if it was the first or second time that we did the shot on Dave. The way the camera was set I could not see the wall on my monitor – only Dave. The way the actors were blocked I could not see the wall, or Dave and Ashton.

So the scene played out, the violent moment comes, the image on my monitor is tight on Dave; the push happens and suddenly Lauren (the homeowners daughter) turns to me with a look of horror on her face and I can see several other people with an aghast look as well.

I can’t see anything, I was afraid that Ashton was hurt, but the actors kept going, and no one in the scene stopped, so I assumed that the hit just looked really bad but it was fine. Not hearing “cut” from me my actors kept acting.

Suddenly, one of the actors shifted and I saw a mark behind Ashton’s head. I knew it wasn’t blood, but I didn’t know what it was. Then they moved more.

I saw my entire future in film disappear before my eyes and I imagined one of my best friendships dying with Susan’s eventual seeing of that wall…I really thought I was done for.

But I didn’t call cut so my actors kept acting. I don’t think I was capable of calling cut. I was told by those that could see me that the look on my face was priceless. My camera and sound people were as oblivious as I had been.

The end of the scene came and I managed to choke out the word “cut” and everyone on set exploded with the shock and surprise they had been holding in and Beth, Christopher and Cole were still oblivious. I don’t remember saying anything, but I probably did. Then I managed to shout for Christopher to come “right here right now”.

I don’t even remember his reaction but it was good I am sure, as was Beth’s and Cole’s.

So I immediately had Lauren get her mother on the phone and broke the news to her – we caved in the drywall on her wall.

This is where I have to praise Susan and David, my wonderful friends and the homeowners. They didn’t get mad. They didn’t cancel my movie. They still have not felt the need to blame anything on me. The response I got once they got home was “It’s not like you meant to do it” from Susan and “Shit happens” from David.

These are fabulous people and they deserve my praise, and a giant gift from me and Christopher.

With that drama, we still managed to completely catch up to schedule, and end our day early.

I tell you that God is good.