Day Six

So today was a great day. We had the whole cast on set for the final use of the garage and backyard location. Our AD, Shannon, got some great pictures of the cast around the 1966 Mustang as well as around set. She also interviewed the cast and crew for some extra features for a later date.

We started the day with some final car shots for the end of the film. Our DP Søren and the crew setup an interesting compromise to using a crane shot, involving a jib arm and the roof of the equipment truck. Needless to say I was a little nervous, but the shot was awesome, and best of all no one was hurt. Later we wrapped the car and its driver Matt, who was a pleasure to have on set, and then moved on to the family's first feud of the movie in the backyard adjacent to the garage. Today the wind was not against us, but the neighborhood sounds were. Helicopters, electric power tools, and children screaming gave Danny and Marrten a bit of trouble, but we worked through it. Come to think of it there may have been a horror film going on in the background!

We also said goodbye to Bruce, Amelia, and Debra today as they completed their scenes in the film. They were a thrill to work with, and I know we will be seeing them again soon. This family was a great dynamic, and their chemistry on screen was awesome. I will miss seeing the whole family on set tomorrow.

For the final day of shooting we head into a rented SUV for a town car scene with our siblings Ian and Kathrynn. Afterwards a former star of "The Cypherian" will be joining us, along with our Associate Producer Robin Smith, in the Hollywood Hills for the final scene to be shot in the film. It has been a great journey, and I can not believe it is almost over. Thanks to all the cast and crew that have helped bring this story to life over the last week. Katie and I can't thank you enough. Until tomorrow, have a great night everyone.

-DK

Day Five

The cast and crew were fresh off their weekend break, and ready to get to work. We were a little short handed as our sound department was brand new. Danny stepped up and really helped move things along. This week we started things off at a house & garage in North Hollywood. Joining us was Matt, the owner of a 1966 Mustang. This beautiful red piece of machinery was a great addition to the film. The car acts as the pet project of our main character Robert. We find him, most days, working on it during all hours.

All the cast was present, except for Aunt Jo, but they had some interesting times dealing with the heat L.A. has decided to drop on us this week. We're hoping for cooler temps in the next day or so. I'm very impressed with our groups productivity, as we pushed through a long day of garage shoots in the hot weather.

As we enter the final two days I'm still very pleased with the quality of the production. True we have had our issues, and why I'm on that subject, what kind of rental company only promises to deliver their materials sometime during the day and not at a specific time? But that is another story. Luckily it wasn't a food issue.

Tomorrow we will return to the house and garage to complete our use of the Mustang and see the assemblage of our full cast for the final time during the shoot. It has been a privilege to work with such a fine group of people, and as a character driven family, they have performed brilliantly. If only all families could be as funny and dysfunctional as they are, but wait... a lot of families are! That's the point! Here is to the last few days everyone. Have fun and see you on set.

-DK

Day Four

A lighter production day as we come off the three day house location. Today Kathrynn and Ian lent their talents to filming our makeshift New York apartment. Kathrynn's character shares her feelings about her parent's divorce with her brother in Los Angeles.

Instead of paying the travel and production cost of flying to New York to shoot, we made due with my apartment. Soren and his team did a great job with lighting as Katie and Shannon dressed the bedroom to make it look less like a married couples apartment, and more like a college undergrad. As Kathrynn would say, "It was FIERCE!".

Ian stopped by to read lines with Kathrynn, and then stayed on, along with the rest of the cast and crew, to enjoy some home cooked burgers. Provided by my lovely in-laws, Bob and Carol VanDerWege. The two have come to L.A. for some vacation time, or so they thought!

Now that we have hit the half-way mark in the film's production days, I find myself with little else to think about other than the production. The cast and crew are taking the rest of the weekend off before production resumes on Monday. I've taken a look at all the footage so far, and I'm very happy with what we have accomplished it what seems to be so little time. The movie is coming together, but we still have a ways to go. Next week we travel to North Hollywood and then take on the narrow streets in the Hollywood Hills. After all that...we take on...THE WORLD! But L.A. will due...for now.

-DK

Day Three

I must say I am so proud of our cast today. After ten hours of the same dialogue, over and over again, they still managed to keep a high energy and positive attitudes throughout the shoot. Today we wrapped day three of the the shoot as we spent the whole day covering the film's large Thanksgiving dinner scene in which all hell breaks loose amongst the family.

BIG kudos to Ameila Pawlak, who had to stuff herself full of turkey and mashed potatoes for more several setups throughout the day. The rest of the family, and the crew, had a very memorable day or hilarious improved arguments and on-set shenanigans. This is one of the many reason I enjoy comedy films. The relaxed feeling on set and the humor on and off the screen really makes a very unforgettable experience.

Today was also opportunities to have the full cast and crew on-set. I cannot express enough, my appreciation to everyone who pitched in over the last three days. We've had so much fun at the house location, and I was almost sad to see the time end. Tomorrow we head into Chloe's apartment scene before the rest of our weekend break. Next week we re-located to North Hollywood and the the Hollywood Hills for the final shooting days. I'm looking forward to the rest of the production, and I hope everyone else is as well. Thanks again for a great shoot so far. Keep up the good work.

-DK

Day Two

Getting right down to business this morning, the cast and crew completed the the second to last scene in the film. All the main characters were present to lend their talent to the screen. The crew work extremely hard today as we finished the scenes in the house location's kitchen and eating area. Tomorrow is the big Thanksgiving dinner scene, which looks to be very entertaining and emotional.

The cast sat down at the end of lunch to rehearse the dinner scene for tomorrow. I am very excited to see this scene play out on screen. We have a lot of coverage to take in the third day, and I know we are up for the task.

I wanted to say a special thanks to the crew today for working extra hard today to put a great look into the film and get us done on time. We raced the clock down to the last minute today, but managed to walk away with the days shots in the bag, and looking great. Another big thanks to the crew who came out with their lines prepared and ready to get to work. We had a lot of setups to get through today, but their preparedness was extremely helpful in making out day.

Tomorrow we wrap at the house before our short day on this weekend, and then picking up on Monday morning. Thanks again everyone for a great second day. See everyone bright and early tomorrow.

-DK

Day One

Wow! That was fun!

Today we began principle photography. We got a little bit of a late start, but once the crew got into a rhythm everything went smoothly.The cast and crew got along great as we covered a lot of ground with our little family. Debra (who plays Caroline) gave a great performance as the mother of two wayward children, and together with her on-screen husband, Bruce, the two really brought the characters to life. Our children Chloe and Devin, played by Ian and Kathrynn, had a wonderful horsing around as brother and sister. Kathrynn kept the crew busy during downtime with tales from her book on sexual positions. They are arranged by date so you could see what posistion represented your birthday. Mine is apparently "Asking the Girlfriend to leave" and I'm not evening going to try and exaplain it.

Our DP Søren Viuf, and his crew, continue to be some of the most efficent people I've worked with. Our crew from the NYFA put a lot of hard work and effort today to help us get all the shots we needed. Tomorrow we start again at the house location for some more family fun. Thanks again to everyone who pitched in today and I hope we can make everyday just like this one. Now get some sleep and I'll see you on set tomorrow, bright and early.

-DK

Final Prep Day

So the truck is full of equipment, the actors are rehearsed, the house is dressed, the food is ordered and the shot list checked twice. I think we are prepared a we can be (Knock on wood) and are ready to begin. Tomorrow morning we begin principal photography. The house looks great thanks to our Producer Katie. While we worked out the movements for the the next three days of shooting, she decorated the home with photographs and personal items. The crew did a great job organizing the truck and getting the equipment ready. Mucho thanks to all of you for working so quickly and efficiently today. And thank you to the NYFA team for helping to get us out the door in a timely manner. Now lets get out there and have fun!

-DK

One Week Out

So this week the cast had their final read through and rundown of the shooting schedule. The Assistant Director and myself will have crew meeting at the end of the week, and then I get to sit back in and worry until Tuesday morning when we set out to gather all the final material and begin pre-lighting for the shoot. I must say I am feeling a lot better about this shoot than any before it. Could be that I'm just getting used to the stress, but I would like to think we're just more prepared. Someone once told me that the more comfortable you feel with the stress the more worried you should be. I'm still on the verge of pulling hairs, so I think I'm at a good compromise to the alternative.

Right now the only real downside to all this is that I will miss the opening night of Transformers, but these are the prices we pay to be in the film business ha ha. At least I know what I'm doing the day after we wrap.

I'm looking forward to the stress and satisfaction that comes with making a film. It's always that sense of calm created out of total chaos. I think that is the one truly good feeling about being a storyteller. Making some sense out of something born from the mind and given shape by so many talented and hard working people. Of course even the hard working need sleep. Until next week everyone. Goodnight!

-DK

Family Picture Day

Less than two weeks out, the cast spent the day taking their family pictures to be used in the set design and promotional material for the film. First we headed out to Griffith park and got the traditional family park outing. The June gloom here in Los Angeles provided a nice overcast for the photos. We got group and individual photos of all the cast members in the wooded and picnic areas around Griffith, and had a lot of fun joking around with setups before moving on to the next location and wardrobe change.

Bringing the family out to California, we headed up to a close scenic location near the Hollywood sign. Joining up with several other guest of L.A. as we took photos in front of the sign and with the L.A. reservoir. To my surprise the location was new to some of our actors, and now they have a spot to bring their real family when they come to visit.

Finally on the final wardrobe change the family headed to Universal Studios City Walk. Here we got photos in front of the big sign and Globe out in front of the park. Then to end the day we all sat down as a family and has some great Italian food, and took a few more pictures. The cast was very creative in their photo choices, and had some great facial expressions for the different scenarios we came up with on the fly. I can already tell that after several weeks of rehearsals they are really getting to know one another.


I can't wait until June 24th when the production really gets to come alive. Locations and set design are on schedule, and our crew is ready to go. Check back during production week for on-set reports and daily photos. Thank again to our wonderful cast. You guys are great. And a big thanks to Kathrynn for helping with the driving. See everyone soon.

-DK