La comida y el Fan

Just before lunch, we realized that we had a visitor to the set. If you squint, that fellow in the back looks a bit like....Ron Boire? Or some guy who REALLY liked our Fathers Day mustache campaign?

Ok, maybe a stretch, but the day is starting to run long and we are looking for inspiration and energy.  After finally completing our 'football' scene, it was time for lunch. 

Allow me to pretend this is Instagram for a moment and show you a picture of my food:

Pretty cool huh?

#nofilter #dopeoplelikelookongatotherpeoplesfood

About an hour later, with the sun at its peak beating down on the set, we were back at it (well, the crew was, we are just watching them on TV from the backyard - life is hard!) . Realizing that it was getting too hot to handle, Paul cleverly demanded an outdoor fan (shown below) for our tent, which the production team out of obligation provided. Thanks guys!

I suppose it works pretty well, but it was just as easy to go inside or have a drink of cold water. Nonetheless, now we have a fan and I'm not complaining though in about an hour we'll move to our final scene for the day - an outdoor BBQ. Should be interesting to see how Diego uses day and night to tell the story. 

La Magica del Cine pt 2

We've wrapped our first scene in the driveway and are preparing for #2 which will take place inside the house. Before the props were put away, Paul and I reenacted the shot that you, the public, will see in the finished product:

There's a video too, but we need to touch it up in post, I look awfully heavy.   

http://youtu.be/WKO_Kknt9mM

As I type we are experiencing some down time while Diego works through the choreography with the actors and cameraman.  The guy is a pro, and the actors are soaking up every bit of direction he gives. 

This scene will be a split screen shot and we need multiple identical takes so we can sync things up in post, hence it is taking a long time to line things up. Diego also wants to make sure that the reactions, in this case to a big hit during a football game, are genuine and believable - he knows how we all hate those super fake sports moments on TV - so a lot of attention is being spent on the actors facial expressions. 

To keep ourselves entertained, we listen to Paul narrate what he sees on on the screen: 

We take particular notice of how awkward our teen couple is together. She's like totally not into him, like, for realsies, look at her body language! She's leaning away from him!  But worry not, she's like, a professional and will make it work when the lights and camera are on.  That, of course, doesn't stop us from guessing what's on her mind as she makes various facial expressions for the next 10 minutes. 

The topic has switched abruptly; we are now making fun of Andres and the haircut he got yesterday. He tells us how the barber was weird, first not understanding that Argentines speak Spanish and then, more directly, asking him if he was married along with other probing relationship questions. We posture that the barber might have collected his hair and kept it in a bag for his personal collection. Too far?  Whatevs, totes kidding, and makes for a great story and jokes. 

Now Paul is telling us about his experience in the shower at the W. I'll spare you the details, this story went on for a bit. In short, after 90 minutes in the shower he got wet, realized the drain didn't work, and that water got into the bedroom area. My insight: He might also be responsible for a local drought given that he takes 90 minute showers.  I also note that Andres, in the background below, feels good about his decision to ask for and receive a room with a tub. 

Lunch time is approaching, more updates to come this afternoon.

La Magica del Cine

After an hour drive we've arrived at the set where what seems like 100 people have already been here for hours getting ready for the shoot.

Here a look at the scene:

Eventually we'll see a man washing his car as a bike rider coasts by eliciting a wave from our hero. The second shot will be the same man teaching his son about cars, using Craftsman Tools of course, while another rider whizzes by. Visually this should be pretty cool as we link the two scenes together using the bike rider as continuity from A to B. 

Since this is my first shoot, I'm impressed by little things, like this breakfast setup:

And this special area from where we will watch the filming as it happens and provide feedback to Diego, the director:

We have on site editors who are working with the material in real time to ensure that we get the shots we need.  Every now and then, we see the shoton loop to make sure it fits with the vision of the scene. And if we are lucky, we see the visual effects guys screen while he stitches content in real time. Cool stuff.

Just now, on the street behind the set, is a child riding a bike with a megaphone yelling/singing that they will pick up your old appliances, microwaves, and furniture for a good price. Good thing we are not recording audio today!

So far I'm impressed by the whole setup and efficiency of this whole operation though I'm sure this will get a little old by the end of the day. That said for now I still think it's pretty neat to peak behind the curtain and see how films are made. 

Looking forward to the rest of the day!

Pit Stop

The location of the first shoot is in Toluca, about an hour outside of Mexico City. The drive is scenic for two reasons - first, the mointains become more prominent as we leave the concrete jungle (as does the feeling of being at elevation - it feels like we are 1.5 miles or more above sea level right now) and second we get a clearer view into the real Mexico. The hillsides are littered with colorful, extremely dense housing that looks exceptionally vulnerable to collapse. One can't help but think about the impact of a major earthquake here, or even just a major rain storm.  This of course is in stark contrast to what we saw last night, a bustling metropolis that felt like any other major city that I've ever been to in the world, and then I'm told what I already know: this is how the majority live. 

Right now we are stopped at a roadside cafe because our driver, Leo, needed a restroom break. This place is certainly what be authentic means to me:

That's Paul on the phone with Chase bank, they thought he was a fraud. Or maybe that there was fraudulent activity on his card?

Anyway, I'm sure you agree, on the outside this place is a slice of the real Mexico but what really sealed it for me was this sign:

It reads: Rabbits how you like it. Sounds delish (and a little bit like out Hispanic More to You interpretation), sorry we can't stay for dinner....

We are about to get back on the road and finish our mini journey, and for making us wait Leo has unecessarily bought us some local coffee - cafe la hoya - which is made with vanilla and cinnamon. Delicious. I would take a picture of the coffee cup, but it's rather plain. 

Oh what the hell, you only live once:

El Dia Dos

Buenos Dias!

Day two is off to an early start as we need to drive an hour to our location. It's 7am but the sky is just now beginning to show some color; I noticed this because while I was showering I could look out the window to the city below:

And yes, that is a hammock in the shower, but no I didn't use it...yet. 

Despite the fun last night, I'm feeling like a million bucks today (though my voice is a bit horse - was I yelling?)  Perhaps I'm running on adrenaline since I'm headed to my first ever professional shoot, or maybe it's because mescal is divine. I accept either as an explanation. 

Right now I'm waiting on Paul to get ready and then we'll head downstairs for a quick breakfast before hitting the road. I'm not sure what my internet capabilities will be on set, so apologies if there is a delay between this post and the next. 

Buena Noche

I'm writing this from the patio at the W hotel, many mescals into the evening which are now transitioning into late night tacos, cigars, and cervezas. Let me summarize the day since we last talked. 

Que Buena dia en la Coudad de Mexico!

After arriving at the hotel, Paul and I shuffled immediately off to the fitting.  We met the director, Diego Luna, who is clearly a big deal (as evidenced by the autograph seekers) but super down to earth. To say the least, the entire team is very passionate about this project and that energy is going to translate into a fantastic spot. 

After providing feedback on the clothing our talent will wear (following the lead of our friends from Apparel - these will be some good looking, fashion forward actors!), we went to an early dinner at a local restaurant with Diego and the crew. I failed to take pictures of the food (because I didn't want to be THAT guy), but trust me when I say that la comida fue fantastico!  Each course was supplemented with mescal, a cousin of tequila, chased with a beer - the local social lubricant. We ate fish tacos, guacamole, and numerous other things that I can't appropriately describe here. 

At the conclusion of the meal, a few folks peeled off and went back to the hotel while Sylvia and I went for a driving tour of the city.  I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. I think I had an impression of Mexico City as an overly congested place, but from what I saw, it was like any other metropolis. Sure, I didn't see all of the bad parts, but it definitely exceeded expectations. 

Some of the highlights: 

And we couldn't help but stop at this place:

Needless to say, this store felt like a Macy's. It was upscale, very well merchandised, and they managed to get this guy on their elevator doors:

And they were fashionable!

Anyway, the store looked great, absolutely a model for what we should be in the States.  

After this stop, we travelled back to the hotel to meet the rest of the crew for a night cap. Upon arriving at the hotel, this is what I saw:

That's Paul wearing a blanket/cape. Fashion? You be the judge!

The evening shenanigans ensued, with stories of past productions, good and bad, and a great feeling of comraderie. 

Red is the theme of the hotel and the city for that matter, hence my choice of shirt and Paul's choice of fleece blanket (note: it was no colder than 60F).

Well, It's getting late and we have an early start tomorrow - that's all for now, hope you are enjoying the story so far!

Bienvenidos al Mexico

As soon as we found our driver, he handed both Paul and I a present:

Yep, that's a bottle of Mezcal in the welcome bag, should make for an interesting lunch.  Also included in the bag but not pictured: Mexican candies (not pictured because I was hungry before this image was captured), a cell phone (for use the next couple days), DVDs from Canana studios (the team filming our spot), and a bottle of water.  

Off to the hotel (the W Mexco City) for lunch and the fitting, good start to the trip!