Central Park, very early in the morning – just across the street from the Plaza.
My first day on the set was Friday and it was a l-o-n-g day. Our call was at 8:30 – later than originally planned. I can only surmise that shooting the day before went overtime and they had to adjust the start. The problem for me was that I went to bed early the night before and woke up at 3:30 am. And I couldn’t get back to sleep.
Even if I hadn’t woken up quite so early, I would have had to be up by 5 at the latest. Travel anywhere in the city takes time; determined by the subway, weather, and unforeseen delays. Traveling into Manhattan from Brooklyn takes even longer. It adds at least 20 minutes on to any trip. Since my area of Brooklyn is directly south of the Battery, the southern tip of Manhattan, you can see that I have a lot of ground to cover via the subway. Though when we shoot one day next week in lower Manhattan, I’ll catch a break.
I arrived early. One of the things we have to do three times a week is get a Covid test. So I went to the testing area and had that taken care of. Then I went out to the catering truck and got some coffee. Then I went to the floor on which we were shooting that day and waited, unsure who to talk to, who to introduce myself to. It was very busy there with various crew members setting up cameras, sound – everything that is needed to film. I tried to stay out of the way. Eventually, I recognized the director’s voice and introduced myself to him. And eventually, I was introduced to the First Assistant Director who provided me with a headset so I could listen to the actors as they were filming. I have to say that everyone is very nice and helpful.
In the meantime, both Jim and Ben arrived and we had a happy reunion, in Jim’s case, and a first face-to-face meeting, in Ben’s. Jim kept showing everyone a photo he had of the two of us from way back when I was teaching him, just to prove how long we’d known each other. We’ve known each other for 21 years.
I sat with the producers in an area called video village. There are monitors there where we can watch the scenes being filmed.
Several scenes were on the docket. It takes a long time to shoot a scene. It needs to be shot from all sorts of angles and perspectives. It’s fascinating to watch the process.
I can’t go into details, of course, but it was a long day. I was there about 12½ hours, going on very little sleep, and then I had to travel back to Brooklyn, which took 40 minutes.
I was so exhausted, I felt a little bit insane. After calling Don to tell him I was home safely, I wound down a bit, then slept straight through until 8:30 am.
Tomorrow’s shoot has a 7 am call and it’s quite a trek from here. I’ll be up at 4 am. This is all quite an adjustment and I worry about keeping up with it all. I just need to get in a rhythm and know I can catch up on sleep on the weekend. It’s very satisfying, though, to have met everyone and know what I have to do. All of the ‘firsts’ are out of the way.
Don is coming today – probably in the afternoon. I have to find a laundromat this morning, although Don has offered to do it for me tomorrow morning. We’ll see. It’s raining at the moment. I think Don will be here until Tuesday. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny, so he can do something fun while I’m on the set. He had to delay his visit here because he had to pick up his car from the mechanics and it wasn’t ready until yesterday.
Some photos of the girls in the apartment:
Sophie in her mushroom dress.
Imogen in a Liberty print dress and new tights.
They were checking out the back garden.
Okay. I need more coffee. I’ll check in when I can, but if the days are like Friday was – and I think they will be – I might not get back to you for a while!
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
whew … “first day” and accompanying feelings are done! glad it went well for you, other than it being a long day on not enough sleep. hope you get more sleep. glad, too, that you and don have a couple days together. :)
no worries about posting. just take care and enjoy this big adventure. :)
kathy
Whew! I don’t think I could handle that schedule. I think it will get easier as you settle into the routine though.
I hope Don remembers to bring your shoes!
Stay safe
Glad things are evening out for you. Praying you get enough sleep.
Take care and be well.
You go, Girl! Great photo. The girls outfits are adorable, nice you have them to keep you company. Enjoy your Sunday.
Wow Claudia, that sounds like quite a first day! Much like the first day in a new school. Lovely to hear everyone was so nice.
Long days for you, my goodness! Know that we are all thinking about you and know you will do great.
Take care!❤️❤️
That’s a long day, Claudia — especially when you can’t get back to sleep. All good wishes for tomorrow and a good reunion with Don. And clean laundry! You’ll get the routine soon enough — any body clock adjustment takes time. And remember, next week we fall back!
So exciting. I knew when I didn’t see a video for a few days that you were busy and having long days. Enjoy the experience. Hi to Don. Big Hugs!
Yay…first day…out of the way. It all sounds like a very involved process to make a film. But, I’m sure you can handle it, if you can get enough sleep.
Take care of yourself along the way. ;)
Just reading all the details of what you must do to get there, get home, the hours, gives me anxiety! Hope you do catch up on sleep. Have some fun, Don.
Well, what a start! It sounds very exciting but still very exhausting. It probably takes awhile to get in the groove. Sounds like they are very lucky to have you on the set. Take care!
Deb
Hi Claudia,
Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us! It is so very interesting and adventurous.
Yeah, man, I would NOT worry about your blog; you have a lot on your plate; the schedule is grueling. You don’t want to get rundown and come down with a cold or something; chilly weather, with the rain, and everything else. I feel like I’m hearing a lot about film sets all of a sudden, with your interesting descriptions, and then everything on the news about the Alec Baldwin movie/tragedy. I love seeing the photo of Central Park and the other ones you’ve posted of your surroundings including the apartment. Thanks for still posting when you’re so tired and very busy. Take care!
Thanks for taking the time to post and letting us into your world of filming. Don’t worry about being unable to do so every day, your life is busy enough.
Happy Sunday
When u catch up a question
Astoria in queens?
Good area?
Affordable?
Granddaughter asked
I am so excited for you. Yes you will get used to the schedule and it’s only for a little while.
It is wonderful that Don can come stay with you.
Good luck and enjoy!
I am sure you are happy to be working even if the days are long! Using your craft again must be so satisfying for you.
Thanks for sharing, I find it all very interesting. I’m from Nebraska so have never been to NYC or been around the acting arena. Love your BLOG!
hej, neighbor! i’m in iowa, but have lots of family in and from nebraska (omaha, lincoln and three small towns a couple hours west of there). if you don’t mind saying, are you anywhere near there?
hope you and your family are well and safe!
kathy
Thanks for taking the time to give us some glimpses of life in the fast lane! So cool. And whenever you have time to breathe, dying to know how your role interacts with the filming. If something doesn’t sound right, do you just get to yell cut! Probably not but I like picturing you doing that.
Now I’m not a doll person per se but being a retired clothes horse, I love, love, love the clothes. And the shoes! And the tights! They are amazing. And they seem to have quite the wardrobe! So keep showing them off; they are VERY cute.
Hopefully your schedule will calm down a bit and you can actually enjoy the very cool things you are doing. Stay well my friend.
hej, claudia. :)
thought i’d write something here in case you check your blog sometime …
just want to say that i hope and pray the new schedule (especially the long hours and commuting … you’ve got the rest) is becoming easier and manageable for you. also that don can visit again soon, that you sleep well, have time to read and just “be” in the middle of this big adventure/job.
and never worry about posting or replying. see you back here sometime.
kathy