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BH: Day One – An Epic Start

The crew met up early (but not too early, 8 a.m.). It was raining all morning but, as forecast, the rain broke and we shot from noon until sunset. Lots of extras dancing and eating barbecue. Lots of mosquitoes.

The lead actors, including Laura Kirk (left) and James McDaniels, arrived later in the day. As the sun was going down, d.p. Matt Jacobson went handheld and tried to grab a few more shots on the fly. We were more or less successful. Twenty-one shots in the can all told, according to Continuity Supervisor Robert Hubbard. And the day was not yet over.

The front door of 'Ninth Street Studios'

From there, the crew moved to 9th Street Studios' cramped cellar to shoot a brief scene. Because of some mag issues, the scene wasn't finished till after midnight. Many of the crew left shortly after that, and cleanup was a bit of chaos. What vehicles are carrying what equipment hasn't been schematized, and several vehicles left less than full. The AC and I made the call to leave the mags and film at 9th Street Studios, since the film can be loaded anywhere, and since it is only two blocks from the meet-up location, Oldfather Studios. I'm sure we're going to have some blowback on that decision this morning; but I hope the blowersback ask themselves what call they would've made in the 18th hour of work.

About J. Ott

John Ott is a writer, filmmaker and futurist. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.