Production Journal, Day 12

We’ve got fewer shooting days ahead of us than behind us — and man does that feel good. There are some big days ahead: many company moves, a (no doubt) sweltering day in Rob H. & Kim T.’s Brooklyn brownstone hallway, plus a day on location at a real live mental hospital. Yowza. We are excited, though, because that day on location will feature our special guest star — the multitalented and vibrant Deborah Gibson. I can tell just from the few phone calls I’ve had with her that she will be a blast to work with. Kerry and I are very psyched that she has agreed to be in our movie.

So here are some photos from our last two shooting days (6/28 & 6/30).

Some time before we wrap, I will get to slap the clappy thing.

Here is most of the company camped out in Sakura Park. I will pat myself on the back for finding this fabulous location. Those years as an NYC tourguide paid off.

As the great Johnny LaRue always said — the last shot in the movie ought to be a crane shot. Leslie Kendall prepares for the shot as Raoul sticks chewing gum in the mechanism to make sure it holds together. Kerry and I look into the monitor and, if you look closely, a barricade of nannys and strollers hang out by the gazebo. This is the second most expensive shot in the movie. (The most expensive, scheduled for Sunday, involves. . .well. . .I’ll leave that a surprise.)

Dave McDonough & Spencer McCormick put together the cage for our “Falun Gong” tableau. The cage was designed by the great Ann Farrell.

In-Just-Iss! In-Just-Iss! Free Our People! Stop the In-Just-Iss! Hats off to John Wu and Pamelyn Chee for turning a sentence fragment in our screenplay into an unforgettable moment thanks to their performances.

Hoffman’s directing style: Holding up a hammer and shouting “Do my bidding!!”

Irma St. Paule is waiting for a bus.

Irma is escorted to her close-up by our fantastic leading man Rob Gomes.

Kerry holds Andy’s foot, another brilliant creation from Cynthia O’Rourke.

Kerry is waiting for a bus.

Leslie is waiting for a bus.

Gaffer Meg Schrock creates lights out of tin foil and the sun. It is very impressive.

Kerry and I flank Rob in his dopey hat. Actually it is my dopey hat. But I lent it to Rob when he needed it for the scene. He gave it back.

There’s a lot of actors and actresses running around in their underwear on this show. And there’s an old saying. . .”never make your actors do something you wouldn’t do.” So. . .there it is. Lunch was cancelled this day.