Shreveport 2

I found out the Dallas movie is shooting in Shreveport as well. They have a house in Dallas (a $55 million dollar spread) that they're going to use for Southfork, but most of it will be in Shreveport. I wonder how the original Southfork people feel about it?

Anyway, they really have no idea when they're going to start so it probably won't work out for me. That's ok, because I'm not in any rush. I have plenty to do right here on EA.

Shreveport

I went in to tell my boss about the phone call I got for Dallas and she told me Mo had asked me to call. Mo is another acct I've worked with, but she's only recently moved up to being the key acct. She had called me while I was still in Santa Fe to do an Eddie Murphy movie in Rhode Island. Well, it turns out that didn't go as planned and they're doing it with a different studio in Shreveport. The timing works out really well with EA and the husband and I are really considering me taking it.

So we were talking about it last night and I commented I didn't want to take as much stuff with me as I did to Santa Fe. The husband said he didn't think I'd taken that much, but I mulled it over and finally realized what I'd meant. I don't want to take as much of ME... I have 3 months before I'd have to go and I want to lose as much weight as I can before then. I need to lose 40-50 pounds total, but I'd like to lose at least 20 before November. I haven't been trying that hard but maybe this is the motivation I need. I didn't have any nice clothes in SF but I have drawers full of cute stuff I can't fit into right now - I want that to change.

I think I'm going to follow the WW plan, but not go to meetings. I know how the system works but going to weigh-in just doesn't appeal right now. I'm debating posting the real numbers on the blog, but I don't think I'm ready for that yet. Maybe just a pounds lost running total...

From DH4 to Dallas

I finally got out of working on DH4. I talked to the acct on Tuesday and told her my answer was still no.

When I got home, there was a message on the machine asking about my availability for the Dallas remake. So I was right, there's always another show.

Take No For An Answer, Already!

I didn't call the acct for DH4 back yesterday. I'm a bit peeved that she wouldn't take my "no" on Friday. But she's called and left a message this morning and I have to deal with it. Why should I feel guilty for not wanting to work like a dog for the next 6 months? I really need to just take it easy and have a life and make my rate, even if it only goes to November. There will be another job, there always is. And yet, the guilt is there.

I'm going to do my best to ignore it.

CROWDED

Turns out leaving Saturday was a good idea. They stopped selling tix around noon because the fire marshal was "having concerns." That place is like a mile long! Well, maybe that's exaggerating, but it's friggin' big.

Comic-Con

The husband and I went to Comic-Con again this year. He took the train down Wednesday afternoon and got checked into the hotel and got the badges. I came down after work and got in around 9:30. I was surprised at the number of people still leaving the convention center after preview night. We drove over to Coronado to find a grocery store, figuring correctly it wouldn't be as crazy as the one downtown.

On Thursday, we picked up raffle tix for the Solomon Grundy action figure give-away. The Professor wanted one and it didn't take much effort. Turns out the husband and I both got one. We're going to sell ours on ebay. Spent the day wandering around buying books and looking at all the stuff. I bought myself a pair of contact lenses that are SUPER GREEN! They had others that were white, some totally black, some that looked like cats' eyes... I couldn't choose so I went with the GREEN ones. I may order some more online now I know I can wear them. http://www.cosplaylab.com/proshop/cosmeticlens.asp
Saw some interesting costumes, but nothing spectacular. Did see one woman in a revealing outfit whose very long hair was the only thing covering her ass. And it wasn't an ass you'd want uncovered. Wow.

On Friday we hit a couple of panels and wandered around the floor some more, but it was uncomfortably crowded and warm. After some discussion, we decided it wasn't worth the hassle to stay until Sunday and decided to leave early. We didn't even buy tix for next year - we'll have to make other vacation plans or hit a different con.

After a last bit of shopping on Saturday morning, which wasn't too bad crowd-wise, we went home. I think it would have been pretty bad later, once the late-risers had made their way in and the Saturday attendees had all been processed. As it was, we had a nice drive home and went to pick up the dog. Silly how much we missed her.

Over 100 degrees at home and felt like an oven. Better than San Diego though, which was maybe high 80's - low 90's but felt like a sauna. Instant sweat.

Jobs

I got a call from a Sony show (Super Bad) that I would have been happy to work on except it's on the Sony lot - that would mean commuting over an hour each way every day. Put that on top of the 10 -12 hours I spend at the office on a normal day and I'd lose it. It was nice of K to recommend me, though.

I also got the call from DH4, but I had already decided to turn it down. I really don't want to work that hard right now. I called the acct back to turn it down and she wouldn't really accept my answer. She kept trying to talk me into it, saying how it wasn't going to be that hard with 2 people and a clerk. Then I found out I wasn't even her first choice - the first person she called didn't want to go to Baltimore. So she's desperate and I told her I'd think about it over the weekend so she'd leave me alone. I had already told my boss on Evan I was staying, so that's that.

My big plan now is to work on Evan until November, then get my sister to come visit me, then get another job after she leaves. We'll see what happens.

N's Star Sighting

Email from N:
Celebrity Sighting... CSI Gary Dourdan-Warrick
I could have wet myself I was so excited. I walked within a foot of him... I love that show and am completely beside myself that they shoot it right here...

Which one is he? I don't watch it that much.

Tall black guy

big hair? he's a hottie
good for you!

He looks hotter in person and either the sun was hitting his hair just right or he got some nice red highlights... and I'm not sure but I think he checked me out and then did another check after I passed by him. So when I got to 2160 I had to use the restroom and make sure my ass looked decent. Though it was too late for that.

Can I put this in my blog?

Yes but only use my first name...

Blogger's Note: I want to point out that it is quite possible that the man did check N out. She's a hottie, too!

Long Live Hamilton

Hamilton is dead. I don't know exactly when he went, but I just got up to get some water and noticed he hadn't eaten his pellets. I picked up his bowl and he's laying at the bottom, all gray and still. I don't know the life expectancy for a Betta, but considering he went to Santa Fe and back in tupperware, he probably did pretty good. I'll cry about this later, but right now I have work to finish.

Reset

I had my interview today for DH4 aka Reset. I haven't gotten an offer and I may not, but I really don't know if I should take it if I do. It's going to be really big and crazy-making - big 1st unit, big 2nd unit, 72 day shoot, 2 weeks in Maryland. They plan on having 2 fully functional payroll people but I forgot to ask about clerk(s). It'll go thru January. As the husband pointed out, it's my chance to do a big project and get a taste of that world.

Or I could stick with EA and make the same money for a much easier workload (relatively). I'd only be employed thru October though and I may regret passing up this chance.

Maybe I should flip a coin...

Any suggestions?

Wrap

I didn't make it to the wrap party. Not that big a deal since I don't really know anybody on this show. The only regret I have is not going to the location, some place called the Xanadu house. Supposed to be super-cool. Oh well. If it's that great I'm sure someone else will hold the wrap party there.

I'm trying to decide if I should stick with EA through the VFX stuff or move on, possibly to DH4. I took this job with the intention of staying, but that all changed when the schedule got squashed. I started looking, then the schedule got picked back up. So if I stay on this show, it'll go to November and if I take something new it'll last much longer. But this show could be easy while a new one will not. I'll figure it out, I guess.

Coco

Sped has pics of her new dog posted on her blog. She also says her mom has been sending boxes of toys, beds amd other things. This just goes to show that I am not Ma's favorite, as she hasn't sent anything for Sofie! Not that I'm jealous, but it's been a running joke for years that she likes me better...

My mom on the other hand has grandkids from other siblings and has no need to consider her dog her grandbaby. Really though, I think my parents grew up in a generation where a dog was a working animal or just a pet, not the member of the family we consider Sofie. Oh well.

Famous Crew

I found out I'm paying Bing Crosby's grandson on this show - he's a Teamster!

Screenings

Went to the cast and crew screening for Dupree on Tuesday. It wasn't that good. The movie didn't have any spark, except for the lascivious dream sequence. There wasnt' any chemistry between any of the actors and I blame Dillon, who just didn't fit in.

I also got my tix for the screening of Snakes. That'll be in August and I'm so looking forward to it. Although I usually hate movies like that, I'll be there.

The wrap party for EA is on Sunday out in Malibu. It's on the beach somewhere and I want to go, but I still have to do payroll and with Comic-Con next week, I'm already on a short week. I guess we'll see how today goes.

DH4

The offices for DH4 are moving to the Universal lot on Thursday and I'm going over in the evening to interview. I'm not sure what I'll do about taking it, but I want the interview at least.

F*cking Camera Dept

I got the camera timecards in today and those fucks had the nerve to send a copy of the contract with them. Specifically, it was the page about 6th days and they circled the part that said they were due a 6th day...

AS IF I DIDN'T KNOW!!! IT'S ONLY MY JOB YOU DUMB FUCKS.

I showed it to the acct and he's going to show it to the UPM. I don't know what will happen, but I am so insulted and pissed off.

I'm debating a response - either sending them their timecards back with a note saying if they don't think I can do my job they can break their own damn timecards or sending a note asking them if they could come by the office and take care of the rest of the crew, since they obviously know my job better than I do.

Damn, I'm grinding my teeth I'm so mad.

Ugh, Sunday.

Back at work this Sunday, barely after 8am, and I'm already pissed. I got 2 post-its on my door and both of them were stupid. The 1st was from the 1st asst acct, telling me a journal entry I'd done wasn't posted yet. I KNOW THAT. It's actually sitting in her basket with a note on it asking her to audit it for me. If she had done that, I would have posted it. The 2nd note is about a guy who didn't get paid because I didn't get a timecard for him. It's asking me to call the best boy about it. I CALLED HIM ON FRIDAY. Dumas probably doesn't listen to his messages. And off course I don't have any of my paperwork. I'm going to have to call security to come and let me into the production trailer again.

I can't wait until this shit job is over. If I get something else lined up, I'm so bailing on them.

I Hate This Show...

If I haven't mentioned it yet, I need to add "taking over another person's show" to my list of things not to do. Ugh. It's been a crappy week but at least everyone's getting paid on time.

Our star wants to take a little vacation before going back to work on his sitcom, so he'll be done on Monday instead of Tuesday. This means we'll be shooting Saturday and Sunday to make up for it and the stuff we fell behind on. I'm working tomorrow (6th day) and my asst will be coming in on Sunday. I also found out I'll get to pay the actors this week. What fun! There's a boatload of them (pun intended) and I'm already struggling. It's not going to get better until I get to leave for Comic-Con. Hopefully by then it'll be more under control.

The payroll acct from VA told me today he's finally reached his bitter stage and he's ready to set people on fire. He even has a list.

The POC just came in and asked who was paying the actors now. I told her I was. She commented it was a bad week to switch, as there are 50 stunt players and 20 new day players. F*ck me. I wonder if it's too late to dump it back on VA?

A Day Off

I got my home office set up today. It's in the breakfast room, in a little nook. Now I just need to take care of my plants before they all die...

Days Like Today...

make me hate my job. Actually, I still like my job but I hate not being able to do it well. I struggled with the friggin' payroll for over 22 hours and I'm still not done, but the stuff that's left is late or problem stuff and I'm not as worried about it.

Basically, it took me forever to do my job and it bothers me. I mentioned the difficulty I had to the accountant and he acknowledged that coming into a show midstream is much harder than one would think, as there's so much that's just stuck in your head from doing it week after week that a newby has to look up. I'm glad he's aware of it and not just thinking I'm a slacker or something.

Anyway, I'm about to head out. I'll probably come in tomorrow and finish up the animal wranglers, but there's not that many and I can clean that up in about an hour. I have to go be nice to the husband for taking care of me yesterday. I know I was a bitch to him, but he stuck by me and helped me more than he'll know. It may have seemed like nothing, but it meant a lot to me.

DH4

I got a call on Friday about DH4. I'm going to have an interview, even though they're not sure if the movie will be in LA or in Canada (payroll isn't allowed to work in Canada). They're just trying to be proactive. This coming week is screwed up with the holiday, so I probably won't interview until next week. We'll see.

EA

I'm sitting at my desk, preparing to do the payroll for EA. I'm not looking forward to it because it's been since February/March and SoaP since I did real payroll, not just prep and wrap stuff. Plus, I don't see the timecards from set. I think they're in the production office which is in the next trailer. I'm going to do the stuff on my desk first, then I'll have to call security to come down and open the prod office for me.

I have heard some interesting stories on this one...
- there was a bike shop going out of business in the town in Virginia where they were shooting and the director decided to buy everyone on the crew a bike. Everyone.
- a baboon freaked out one day and knocked down one of the child actors - they think it may have seen it as either a playmate or a threat, since it was the same size.
- a transpo van hit a bear.
- some teenagers thought it would be cool to light up a joint while checking out the set. They decided the police officer working security was a fake (all cops on movie sets are fakes, apparently) - they got arrested.

If I hear more I'll pass them along.