Bruce Jennings in The Way Home
August 17, 2003
Saw my last bit of filming today on the "office" set. In
attendance were Aja,
Joy and the crew. Boy, it looked great! Joy looked right at home behind
that
big desk. And Aja looked dashing in her office attire.
Rick provided a bit of help this afternoon filming a top-secret
scene. Nope.
Can't tell you. I'm sworn to secrecy. Actually, I never swore anything,
but it
would be fun to keeping you guessing.
The weather today was very pleasant, very much like the weather a
week ago
when filming began....wow. 75 degrees, mostly sunny, 61 percent
humidity. Too
bad there was very little to do outside today -- just a pick-up shot of
Rick.
A week ago. Huh. That was all it was? A week ago? It seems like a
year ago.
To think of how much I experienced in that week. Amazing.
And that is that? Now PPD begins (Post Production Depression).
What great fun
it has been. I don't think there's any more to add to my journal of
filming
experiences. From time to time, check in to read how the music is
coming. As
for now...it's a wrap!
August 16, 2003
This was cool: there's a scene when David tells his new family
about what life
was like in other foster homes. It takes place around the dinner table.
When I
first read the script, it jumped out at me that the scene should take
place
during Shabbat dinner (Jewish families celebrate the start of the
sabbath with a
wonderful Friday night dinner).
So I supplied everything that you'll see on the table in the
scene, with the
exception of two beautiful antique candlesticks that Eudi brought. Now,
in case
this film becomes HUGE, I will supply you right here with the entire
menu:
Macaroni and cheese
Green Salad
Stewed tomatoes
Dried fruit
Challah (braided bread made with eggs)
Grape juice
Wine
...I think that's it. Now, I admit that for a Shabbat dinner,
macaroni and
cheese is a little Spartan. Chicken or fish would have been more
appropriate.
But, hey! This is film! Maybe next time, when the budget is a wee
bigger :)
That deserved a :)
Anyhow, we started a scene with some improv dialog, originated by
Daniel, who
plays Matt. There's a little reference in it about the
blackout...you'll just
have to see it. It was great fun. So, yeah. All real food.
Then later we did a Hanukkah montage. This time, Cheryl supplied
all the
trimmings. And there we were, Cheryl wearing a sweater and I grabbed a
jacket
off a hook of our adopted house. This in August during a heat spell!
Great fun.
Cheryl did this beautiful monologue today, as I sat next to her
with no lines to
say (one of my favorite ways to do a scene). Eudi's character Emma has
a line
about how beautiful the story is. It truly is.
But then it started to seep in: as each actor was finished filming
we started to
say good-bye, one after the other. This is when the hangover that all
performers
face starts. The let-down. There's one more day of filming, but it
doesn't
involve me. I'll probably stop by, but after that is done, it's over! I
don't
want to think about it yet. Not yet, not yet.
And just to think that last Saturday was the first read-through!
Amazing! It
seems a lifetime ago!
August 15, 2003
As it turned out, the lights came back on this morning and the
filming schedule
wasn't greatly affected. More interior shooting. Still hotter than the
blazes
outside. THAT'S what's so exhausting about this. I wonder if Peter
would
consider winter filming sometime. No, I think I know the answer to that.
The most emotionally draining day of them all! Cheryl and I got to
do a lot of
crying...oh, wait 'til you see. It's not a sad movie, overall.
Emotional.
Touching! That's it. Actually, I've heard somebody say the script was
lovely.
It's all those things, and more.
The other aspect of the performance that was memorable about this
project was
the use of improv to develop the action. More about that tomorrow.
Actors will use all sorts of tricks to get them through difficult
scenes. My
motivation during one tough scene today? Pizza. Yep. I was really
concerned with
how this scene was going to play out, so I skipped lunch and worked on
the
blocking and lines. I could see everyone eating in the dining room --
what's
worse, I could smell the pizza, which is just my favorite food in the
whole
world. But I knew I couldn't do this scene on a full stomach.
So I promised myself that if I thought my performance was
worthwhile I'd eat
pizza AFTER Cheryl and I were finished. Guess what? I think it worked.
I'll
never know until I see it. Then again, I'm a terrible judge of my own
work. But
after all was said and done, they saved a slice for me!
Still dealing with the after effects of the blackout, like brown
water. But,
overall, it was just a nuisance.
August 14, 2003
Today promised to be the most emotional draining day of filming,
just because of
the scenes that were scheduled to be shot. I got to work very closely
with my
fictional family members...I think that's my favorite part of this
whole
experience: creating the bonds and connections with the other actors in
order to
come off looking like a real family.
It wasn't very difficult to do this, let me tell you! Just the
fact that we were
acting in a real home helped to create the connections. Plus, I knew
Robert and
Cheryl already from other projects. Daniel was a mensch - not hard to
like him
either! By the way, some irony here: my brother in real life is named
Robert and
my sister in real like is named Cheryl. Robert (the actor) plays David,
which is
my middle name. Aja plays Laura, and the real Laura is the film's
director of
photography! Isn't that funny?
Then, come 4:10 PM, the REAL drama began: the great blackout of
2003...the
biggest blackout in USA history. When it hit, Peter was directing
filming
outside. I was running some errands in the car when I noticed all the
traffic
lights were out. I turned on the radio and heard the news. I drove back
to the
filming...it was great. Nobody in the production knew because they were
all
outside. So I got to be the first to tell them. We wrapped, and that
was that
for the day.
August 13, 2003
Now THIS was a funny one. Rick (Kyle) worked in the morning, and
so did my
daughters (they played chess players at the tournament). My character
shows up
later in the day to cheer on David, his son. We filmed in the high
school
cafeteria, and it was pretty steamy in there. Actually, it was one of
the
hottest days of the summer, lucky us.
It was a great day of shooting, though. And all the extras - some
coming from
as far as Columbus - performed wonderfully. But it was hot. Whew. I'm
looking
forward to tomorrow's filming, back at the house. Too tired to write
more. I
can't imagine how Peter must feel!
August 12, 2003
A day off from shooting, but I was involved in transportation, so
I got to
see other work. But I did some laundry and some homework by learning
some lines.
Later in the evening I spoke on the phone to Peter about the film.
Also, had
to firm up tomorrow's logistics...is this boring, or what? Does Robert
Duvall
or Dustin Hoffman tell you what THEY do on their days off? No! So stop
complaining and move on.
August 11, 2003
An early morning today. Rick volunteered to serve as
transportation
character. Actually, I think I volunteered him. So we picked up the
crew
around...well...far earlier than the point when my eyes fully open. But
that's
showbiz, and we're glad to help.
Today was my first day of filming, We were at a house in Shaker
Heights, and
I was thinking about how interesting it is that viewers of the film
will
immediately be asked to think of this house as being the house I live
in.
I was very comfortable there. I hope Shadow the Cat gets to be in
the film.
She yelled at me when I went into the bathroom and closed the door. I
figured
out that her food was in there. I'd be pretty annoyed if some stranger
walked
into my refrigerator and closed the door on me!
We filmed the scenes when Robert's character David arrives at the
house for
the first time. It was also the first time during the shooting that the
film
family got to react with each other. I thought that went well.
We got to improvise during a "home movie moment". I surprised
Robert by
accosting him with a chess piece. With any luck I think I made what he
was
drinking go up his nose. In the same home movie, Robert and Daniel
Anstandig
demonstrated how chess can be turned into a contact sport.
Tomorrow I'm not involved in the filming, however I can probably
think of
some way to make a nuisance of myself on the set.
Incidentally, I just noticed that the webmaster is using a picture
of me
playing this really creepy character in Seekers of the Statue
for the journal
pages. I'm petitioning to have it replaced with a nicer, kinder and
gentler
picture in the future. Let's see how far I get.
August 10, 2003
The first day of shooting. Even though I didn't have to be on the
set (but
Rick did) I had to be there anyhow. First, I couldn't feel comfortable
sitting
at home while there was shooting going on. Secondly, I guess there is a
little
stage parent in me...I had to see Rick at work!
It was a beautiful day. The temperature was in the mid seventies.
What better
place to be than a park? It was also nice to get reacquainted with
fellow
cast and crew members. Being there helped to get the socializing out of
the way
so I can get down to the work of acting tomorrow.
Rick's had to deal with getting some stage blood off his face and
hands
between the time we shot at the park and when we moved to the front of
the high
school ... can I mention this detail without giving away part of the
plot? It
leads to a funny story. So Rick went home to wash up. I recommended
vinegar to
"get the red out". It didn't work too well. He tried Listerine. I'm not
sure
why. Mom suggested Noxema. That seemed to do the trick. I'm not sure
why I
didn't think of it! Anyway, while we rode back to the set, he said
"You're gonna
think I'm crazy, but my hand smells great! I think I'm on to
something!" Sure
enough, it didn't smell half bad. Sort of a rugged, woodsy, outdoor
scent. Try
it yourself and see!
Tonight I work on lines and getting the beard to look right.
Tomorrow I get to
be Robert Whitney. What fun!
August 9, 2003
This time around, I made it to the initial read-through.
I don't remember where I was for the Seekers of the Statue
read-through, but I
wasn't there. Oh, wait. I was away on vacation.
This time around, my family and I came back into town ten o'clock the
night
before. And here it was, ten o'clock the next morning. And Rick and I
were the
last ones to arrive at the Upper Room. Coming down Chagrin we followed
a funeral
procession until we got to Shaker Square, where we were engulfed by the
crowds
at the farmer's market.
Then, the parking behind Joseph Beth's was nonexistent until we
caught a break
and were right in back of somebody pulling out. We grabbed up the spot
and ran
upstairs to find that everyone was there. We were hoping the others had
been
stuck in traffic...but no luck. Everyone was there. Almost everyone, at
least,
waiting for us.
Good to see familiar faces, and good to put names to those I
hadn't met. I was
able to squeeze in at the table next to my film wife, Cheryl Eitman,
who plays
Rebecca.Cheryl and I once played Mary Poppins and Bert, respectively.
Good to
see her. I looked down the table at my fictional sons. Wow, it's going
to be
fun.
Other familiar faces belonged to Eudi Tracey, Robert Abrams, Aja
Martin, all
from the Seekers of the Statue cast. But more new faces than old.
We read through. I was floored. So many strong voices and spirits.
So many great
characters will surface within the next week. So much great talent.
Where do
they all come from? Why are they all doing this? And Peter? A little
nervous,
maybe. But very confident and pleased by the reading. The highlight of
the
morning for me: Peter gave me the opportunity to write a line for my
character
(a comic line that he thought the scene needed). I used it in the scene
and
everyone laughed, so I guess it'll stay in the script. It'll be fun to
act it.
Not much thought about music yet...actually, I have some themes
worked out
already. But it's much too early to worry about music. There's acting
to do.
Shooting begins tomorrow, not for me, but for others. Including
Rick. Should I
come watch his scene? We'll see.