It's been a while says I've posted anything about any sets I've been working on, because, honestly, there wasn't much to say. It's same old, same old. Action! Do your cross, mime some fake conversation, cut! Back to one! Repeat a few times.
The exception this week, is the fact that I've worked three days now on the pilot for a new CBS action comedy series entitled "Ultra".
The stunt laden show makes it fun to on set. Personally I find it more fascinating to watch the way a stunt is outlined and set up, than the actual execution. For example, I spent Thursday and Friday night out on University Avenue in Toronto partaking in a scene that initialed a crash involving a semi, four cars and a cab. Then Ultra(Lena Headley) entering and saving the day.
The scene was only 6/8 of a page, but each of the six parts of the scene needed to be shot separately, requiring a wide shot, some coverage and little crowd reaction. Five of the six parts where completed on Thursday night, the most fascinating being a stunt driver, simulating being hit by the truck causing the car to ride up on two wheels and do a controlled flip. Amazing that it only took a couple of dry runs to execute the one shot deal.
That left the fun stuff for Friday night, Ultra pulling a family from a car, seconds before the truck and car go up in flames. This of course being achieved with the use of propane burners and camera trickery. The stuff any pyro would get off on (hmm, fire! Fire!). All I could think of is how nice it would have been if the god awful hot dog substantial had been barbecued for a change.
My contribution had me exiting one of the cars and running away safety positioned to look as if it came to a screeching halt. Unfortunately the camera mans positioning for the first take was over ruled by Barbara Hall and changed. A nice shot that would have caught my face was reduced to my feet. Damn I wouldn't have worn those worn sneakers if I knew that!
any who, it looks like the biz is picking up again in Toronto and especially here in Hamilton, where currently there are three productions in progress with at least four more set to shoot in the next couple of months. I've already worked on a couple of them and looking forward to a great spring.
I've added some new screen caps of some older sets that I've worked on, including The Eleventh Hour and The Man Who Saved Christmas over at kendalloliphant.blogspot.com
Later,
Kenaz
