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Guest Post: Don on Prague, Part 1

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I’ve handed the reins to Don for today. Say hello to him! Claudia

When my agent emailed me to say that there was an interest in me for a film shoot in Prague my first thought was, “Yeah..sure…they’re gonna send ME to Prague…right.” Okay, my confidence was perhaps a tad low. But then, more positive thoughts surfaced. Thoughts like, “Well, the audition DID go well…” and then,”My passport has expired!”  The second thought took over and sent Claudia and I to the website for “expedited passport services” and to the checkbook register to see if we could afford the $182.00 it would cost to get the passport to our mailbox before the plane would be leaving for the Czech Republic. And all this on the proposition that I might get the offer. And might not.

Good thing we went ahead because before the ink could dry on my shiny new passport my agent had fired off another email with the subject (in all caps) reading: YA GOT THE JOB!!

When an agent uses two exclamation points it’s a pretty big deal. So, a week later I flew off to Prague (via Zurich) to spend a week in the middle of Europe, in a great city (everyone was more excited than I, who was more into worry mode), and playing a great part in a quality film on a prestigious show for that most excellent network: PBS!

The PBS part meant it was a classy gig. It also means it pays little, but hey: Prague on their dime with a per diem to boot! Yep. The slot machine of life had just come up with three cherries. Ca-Ching!!

We flew all night. I slept seven minutes. We got there and the “springtime in Prague” snapshots people had been putting in my mind’s eye didn’t match the very cold weather and the snowflakes greeting us at the airport. However, that’s the last negative thing I have to say. Prague was all everyone had been saying, and more. I felt as if I were in a beautiful dream.

don'shotel

We got to our hotel which I must say was quaint and classy and art deco-ey and everything you could want in a hotel. Even a free breakfast would be waiting. I got up fairly early and made my way for the buffet. “Buffet.” Is there a better word? Well, yes, there is. “Free buffet!” Those are even better. When I got to the dining room I got my first visual clue that the people in the Czech Republic were NOT vegetarians. I kept wondering what Claudia would think if she had been standing there, plate in hand, gazing down at hot and steaming trays of tiny grayish wieners. Yes, gray wieners. For breakfast.

Of course, there was also bacon, sausages, thin, raw strips of some unknown species, and, well, you get the message. This was the land of the carnivore. Now, I’m not, strictly speaking, a vegetarian. Away from home, I will tuck into a tuna sandwich, some unfortunate salmon or even a poor chicken from time to time, but even I was a bit put off by the cornucopia of corpus delicti staring up at me in the morning European light. Luckily there were also eggs, danishes of varying sizes, baked beans, fresh bread loaves you cut yourself, yogurt, melon, cereals, and everything else you could ask for. And I did.

The hard part was getting my charming Czech waitress to understand what “decaf” meant. (This astounded me. I mean if you run a popular hotel shouldn’t the word “decaf” been pretty much ironed out by now?) Finally, after a lot of awkward miming on my part, she understood: “Ah! Coffee with no coffee, right?”  “RIGHT!” “COFFEE WITH NO COFFEE!”

And very soon after, the pot arrived!

doncoffee

Next on my schedule was what I had been dreading, but it was something demanded for my art. In fact, it was in my contract. It was….a haircut. A serious haircut.

donprehaircut

Before

donshorn

After

The haircut done, the period clothes tried on and adjustments made by the Czech-speaking wardrobe head and her assistants, I then had lunch with the director (American) and we discussed the way I would be playing Charles Norris, who was the first Chief Medical Examiner of the city of New York and one of the founders of what would become known as forensic medicine. No Charles Norris – no CSI on TV ninety nears later.

donlab

The set for the lab – it’s cold in there!

I think this is going to be a fascinating episode of American Experience. The writer-director, Rob Rapley, has done a marvelous adaptation of The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum. An almost exact replica of the lab in Bellevue Hospital was built in the freezing, empty building we would be filming in – a building on the grounds of an active mental facility. Our trailers and trucks took over a sizable area of the location. And it was quite cold. My personal trailer was toasty however, and I was grateful for it.

dontrailer

donmoretrailers

More to come in Part 2!

Don

Comments

  4. Very interesting and well written! Looking forward to the next installment! Too bad you had to get a haircut in cold weather! Brrrrr…

  6. I’m loving this…………..so interesting learning how PBS works and how the movie making business revolves around such interesting people and places. I love knowing how sets are built, lighting is set up, costumes are fitted, makeup done etc., and even haircuts – he looks so good! Claudia, they really should have had you along too………….surely they needed a voice coach? Anyway, having Don personally retell his experience shooting for ‘The American Experience’ is fabulous – I’m going to enjoy this immensely, can’t wait for Part II – thanks Don.

    Happy day together at home – trailer looked good, but nowhere near as comfy as Mockingbirdhill Cottage I’m sure!
    Mary XX

  7. So interesting Din! Love your writing style and the look into something I will never personally experience. Looking so forward to part 2!!

  9. Don & Claudia – Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience with us!! It is so interesting to see and hear about your experiences, Don!! I can’t wait for Part 2 and I can’t wait to see it when it airs on PBS!! Your pictures are great, too!! Thanks again, Francine

  11. Thank you Don for this post! I have never been to Europe but always enjoy seeing and hearing about others experiences. You can bet I will be front and center in front of the TV when your show airs.

  13. Don, thank you so much for sharing your adventures and wonderful photos in Prague. You are such a talented writer also, just like Claudia. I can’t wait for Part 2!!

  14. Good Morning Don and Claudia.

    Love having the inside look of film making and Don’s adventures in Prague. PBS is wonderful and American Experience is a great show. You gave me a good laugh with “Coffee with no coffee!” Sounds a lot like my dad when he’s making his gleefully disparaging comments about my coffee choices. :D Looking forward to the rest of the series hopefully with lots of pictures of that jewel of a city.

    Have a good week!

    ~ Cassandra

  16. Hello Don!
    I hope we get lots of photos of Prague., and I look forward to your stories. As an aside, I do believe your haircut makes you look younger and focuses attention on your eyes..I bet Claudia loves that <3

  18. Don, we are all SO proud of you and can’t wait to see this on PBS! Congrats on your part in this film. I loved seeing the location, your new “do”, and hearing all about your trip so far.

    I would be in trouble at breakfast because I’m almost a vegetarian, too. I do, however, eat eggs, and if forced (though I admit I like it) bacon. Too bad they didn’t have kippers because that is one food I love to eat when I’m across the pond.

    I can’t wait to hear more about the film. Thank you for sharing this with us and for being so sweet to our/your Claudia. You get big brownie points for all the sweet eggs and egg cups, the t-shirt, and the copies in different languages of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD that are to come through the years. That was a master stroke!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

  19. Don, I have heard so much about you! I am LOVING this post,but I hate part twos,can part two be now?
    I find your writing very interesting I could see (besides the pictures) in my minds eye everything you speak of. You could surely start your own blog, if you were so inclined. You appear to also be a VERY thoughtful husband,that is awesome I mean that in all sincerity. Please continue your story as soon as convenient? I am intrigued. Best to Claudia. -Judy A-

  20. Hello, Don! It’s fun having you as a guest blogger and reading about your experiences.
    (Love that photo of the “coffee without coffee” – three types of sugar?)
    Looking forward to more, and to the show, too!

  21. Hi Don and thanks for the blog! What an exciting experience and an honor to be part of such a monumental production! Enjoyed all of your photos and look forward to more.

    Judy

  22. Waiting with bated breath for Part XX. This blog has become one of my daily pleasures. Thank you
    Claudia, Don and Scout for making my life so enjoyable.

  24. This is great! A first hand glimpse into your world as an actor! Can’t wait for part 2! ;)

  25. I am really looking forward to the next chapter of your story -thanks for sharing it with us!

  26. Welcome home, Don, and thank you for sharing your experiences! We all feel we “know” you a little bit from the blog so now I feel we know you a little more. Can’t wait to see your episode on American Experience-any idea when it might air? Fascinating subject matter!.

    Think I might want to renew my long expired passport sooner rather than under pressure $182-eek!

  27. goodness gracious!
    i’ve got some catchin’ up to do here! congrats on your
    role, don! love reading about your trip and hearing about
    what is taking place over in prague. and claudia, your
    what nots are too cute. humpty dumpty looks like he could
    be russian with that egg on his head. :)

    loved your posts and sorry i’ve not been around for some time.
    my days are full with work stuff and little time is left for “me” time.

    hugs to all of you!
    and i cannot wait till the show comes out on PBS.

    becky

  32. Welcome back!!! I had to giggle at the “coffee with no coffee” idea. What a wonderful adventure you have had, and now you are back home with Claudia and Scout. Excellent! I am looking forward to more of your stories and pictures.

  36. Hi Don and Claudia,

    ”And…Action!”
    The narrative of this post is captivating! I feel like I’m getting the audio of a cool, black and white, 1940’s Bogart type picture! You know, that mysterious voice over, leading us in to a world of drama and intrigue! Anxiously awaiting Part Two…!

    Poppy

  37. Thank you for sharing your experience with us Don..I have seen you on various Law And Order shows and I am looking forward to seeing your performance on American Experience which is also a great series..I am curious about a couple of things..Why do they take you so far away to another country to film this and also they say that you look very much like Charles Norris..did you see any pictures of him to verify this? P.S. I am enjoying your music very much..Looking forward to part two!

  38. Thank’s for sharing Don. I can’t wait to read the next installment of your Prague adventure.

  39. Good morning, What fun to hear about your adventure in Prague, looking forward to partII and III and to seeing the piece on PBS which is indeed a most excellent network. Sonja

  40. Don, so nice to have a guest posting! I too feel like I know you and Scout! I am so thrilled for you to have this opportunity. Can’t wait to see it when it comes out. And you look very distinguished w/your short hair!. Looking forward to Part 2 tomorrow and hope there’s more pictures! And how kind of you to get those cute egg cups for Claudia. I love the square one!

  41. What a wonderful, wonderful story. I think you look handsome even with short hair! I can tell that is an exciting adventure for you. The only thing that could make it better? If Claudia went with you! Diana

  42. Hello Don. Thanks for sharing your travels with us. I can’t wait to see this on TV. With your haircut you look somewhat like my husband. He has the really long face as well. I love the gifts that you brought home to Claudia. I am with the others, excited to hear the rest.

  43. Don,
    Please give us all the info when it airs. I would so enjoy seeing your performance.
    Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait for act 2 ;)
    PS. I got a kick out of the waitress.. lol

  44. Don And Claudia!

    What a wonderful post! I believe this is the first time I’ve commented on your blog. :)

    Don, your writing is so clever and entertaining. I can’t wait for part 2! I hope Claudia will have you guest post more often.

    You are both a delight and I wish you many blessings on your adventures!

  46. This is as bad as waiting for DOWNTON ABBEY!! Please hurry with part two—tomorrow!?!

    You’re a most special husband. But then, you have a most special wife!

  47. Hi Don, thanks for taking us with you to Prague. I can’t wait for part 2 and to see the show on PBS. How exciting to be filming in a foreign country.

  48. Hi Don, I’m so glad that I visited today– what a fun surprise to read about your experiences in Prague, in your own words. I had no idea that you were such a clever writer… “cornucopia of corpus delicti”… I loved that!! I’m really looking forward to Part 2.
    Hugs,
    Jill

  49. Wonderful Reading! I find it hard waiting for the next chapter. Sure glad I had a cup of coffee while reading your post because just looking at the room made me very chilly. Forensic Science is amazing and what an honor to capture the first Chief Medical Examiner. I will be looking forward to both reading your next chapter and watching the film on PBS. Thank you Don for sharing your experience with us.

  51. loving “the slot machine of life”

    I already told Claudia in a comment the other day what a handsome guy you were. Also sweet and romantic. So I shouldn’t say that again but if you keep sending her all of those wonderful gifts to show us, I guess I will

    Looking forward to more of your story over there ! :)

  52. Nice to meet you Don and thank you for sharing your time in Prague with us. I have never been there, but hear it is beautiful and full of history. Your little hotel looks so quaint and delightful and even though all that meat was in front of you (which would have delighted my husband) it sounds like they had a good variety of goodies as well as the no-coffee-coffee.

    The building that the filming is taking place in is fantastic and just looking at it sends chills up my spine. I have not heard of this story and will look it up.

    I look forward to your next installment.

    Ann

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