Day 3 - LET ME SEE YOUR FUNKY CHICKEN!

I know, I know… I’m being very inconsiderate about the date I’m writing this… but, have you ever felt that you just can’t get things from your head onto a piece of paper (or word page in this case)? That’s how I’ve been feeling for the past two weeks and, finally, today I can get everything out. So here I go, day three of Sex & Breakfast:

Here we go again...

It was definitely the most exhausting and stressful day. Although day two was supposed to be the busiest, it came out very easy and quiet. I think we were very confident for day three, believing that it would be nothing if the day before was so easy. Well, dear readers, you should always take into consideration that efficiency on set is not a question of schedule and of how well you follow it. Crew’s mental fatigue can be worse than not being on time for your next shot.

I had spent the day before with a considerably heavy camera on my shoulders for hours, doing movements that put my knee in the weakest state that it had ever been. I made dinner for four during which I burned myself with a 1920’s oven, and later talked for around three hours on Skype. At 6am of Friday morning I was wearing a knee protector, both index fingers were in pain because of the burn (fingers that I had to use to press the shutter on the camera), and my eyes showed evident dark circles. Frankie was also in an awful state, waking up every morning to travel half an hour from her place to the set, sleeping late preparing the direction for next day. We thought this would not be as stressful because we were very well prepared, but day three proved us wrong.

Our actress had to arrive earlier than our actor, she got to the set on time and we started as scheduled. I couldn’t move because of the knee issue, my finger suffered every time we shot, and a headache started to show up. By the time our actor arrived, we still had a bunch of shots to do before he could act. Fortunately, we had our set angel, Cleo, who was more than helpful in guiding us through what was a hell of a day.

The peak came when a very ambitious dolly movement couldn’t be made because of lighting issues. I couldn’t stand it anymore, and so we did “the funky chicken”. The chicken is a very helpful dynamic dance that helps rid anyone of stress. Following a military line, we make three different animal sounds and mimic each other's movements. For this occasion, we did the chicken, the cat, and the lion. I wish we had recorded it so you can live the experience.

Before "The Funky Chicken".

And let me tell you something, my friends, after that chicken our productivity started shining like a star. The next shots came out smooth and easy, our actors were comfortable and they even got the time to watch the USA-Canada hockey game in the Sochi Olympics. Cleo (after being shot as an extra for one of the scenes) prepared pasta for an army, which we enjoyed with a delicious tomato-basil sauce made by Frankie.

After "The Funky Chicken".

After a good coffee, our actors left and Frankie and I had some fun acting in front of the Bolex, as well as wasting the sixth stock on some b-roll. Finally, we cleaned up the living room and kitchen; it was our last day working there. Sex and Breakfast was almost over, there was only one day left.

Day 2 - Most heard on set: "Where's My Phone?"

Today, we shot the climax of the film. Yeah, climax. So I had to stock up on white chocolate mocha coffee - because working on sugar highs is the best thing EVER. You jump up and down and talk really loud. God I love sugar highs. 

venti sugar high

You know? When you reach that peak and you just can’t get enough of it and just want – NO – need more? (I can't tell if I'm talking about sugar or climaxes). 

We had to do it over and over again, and every time it felt a little real-er, a little stronger, and a whole lot better (I'm pretty sure I'm talking about the scene). 

I can’t exactly divulge what the scene is about, but seeing the emotions fly across the kitchen was definitely a first experience.

There have been many firsts during this shoot – on my part anyway.

Directing actors may not come easily or naturally to me, but I definitely enjoy it. You give a little, and they give back so much.

Our two main protagonists couldn’t have been better, creating great chemistry, showing real emotions, and building real tension in the air around them. 

That tension~

And as for our secondary character, he gave us the most seductive eyes we could ever envision while his hands continuously made love to a guitar.  So, we basically had visual orgasms during so many of the takes. Blushing here, blushing everywhere.

It was supposed to be our most difficult day, but we overestimated the difficulty of this scene. We ended up finishing extremely early –

That being said, I do believe we captured the essence of what our film was trying to convey. Relationships aren’t as simple as Hollywood films make them to be. Friends with benefits – my ass. Prince charming – bite me. So, we’re trying to keep things real.

...right... effort from cast AND crew

Let’s hope that all our efforts (from both cast and crew) come together well in our final product.

Sex & Breakfast Day 1 - Wednesday 19th - LET'S DO THIS!

-Post should have been posted last Wednesday but these last days have been crazy. Sorry- 

Scenes and shooting schedule were organized. Equipment and food were in place. I had moved (literally brought a suitcase for four days) to the location. The sun just had to shine so real job could start.

Best location ever.

At 6:50am, I receive a call; Frankie was downstairs. There I freak out, my alarm didn’t sound, I was lucky she showed up earlier. I take a quick shower while she sleeps half an hour more. We start setting up, washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen, putting the black out in the windows, setting lights, everything was in place. Then the call:

“We are here.”

“Here, where?”

“Here at 5874”

…

We gave the wrong address to the crew and actors, twice.

The set clean and tidy wating for our lost actors.

They arrive 30 minutes later while we hate ourselves. However, the set was almost done; we could start in good time. While Frankie was directing the actors, Eva and I made sure that camera and set were ready. I look for a marker in a bag and I see a film stock box…

Oh… oh…

Oh-oh

Fak…

FUCK!

“I LEFT THE FILM STOCK AT HOME”

Seven film rolls, seven. Six of them 40 minutes away by car, only two minutes of film left in the camera, three whole scenes ahead to shoot. If you ever had a heart attack, I think I know how you felt.

First the address and now this, WE HAD OUR SHIT TOGETHER, I SWEAR.

"Now what?!"

I guess sometimes one really needs to follow that famous advice “don’t plan things too much because they won’t happen”.

"Hihi fuck my life."

Anyway, we would finish what was left and then go for the rest. Amazingly, we started to shoot only 15 minutes later than expected, and even more amazing, we ended half an hour before and there was still film in the camera. TAKE THAT “NO PLANNING” ADVICE.

Bolex bebé behaving as it should.

Frankie runs to my house. Meanwhile, the actors and our sound boy Andrew record some isolated sounds for sound design. Lunch break follows (today’s menu: Dagwood’s sandwich). At 1pm, Frankie comes in and the second part of the day starts.

Andrew in action.

Again, we overcame our expectations, half an hour ahead of time. Although we faced some lighting problems, everything went out well; even some tears were thrown out while rehearsing our saddest scene.

The day was over for our actors; we stayed for the last scene of the movie and of the day. Smooth beautiful shots, the day ended up as a success. We celebrated with a jar of sangria while re-checking our schedule for Thursday, hoping it was not just “first day luck”.

...AND, ACTION!

All about the Sex

What would you want to get from your special someone on Valentine’s Day?

Honestly, I’d love me some bacon and some sex. There’s no better combination.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get any bacon, but it definitely got hot and steamy in my room. The sex was only suggestive, but the lights were really what made the temperature rise. I had to strip to my tank and our actors had to strip to their skivvies.

The first day of shoot is such a nerve-racking thing. I barely slept the night before, but I was full of energy this morning. Maybe I was nervous about the naked people who were about to get under the sheets the next morning, or maybe I was nervous because I’m a virgin at directing, or maybe it was because I didn’t know what in the hell I was going to feed our vegetarian/gluten-free actors.

Turns out, when you have a great partner like Ana, everything falls into place. We coordinate things really well together, we agree and disagree peacefully, and we get things done because we have the ability to get to our goal.

In addition to this, our lovely actors did a great job at performing their seductive roles which is what kept things classy.

Pepper: "What's that smell?!"

Once we finished making love to the Bolex for a rough hour and a half session, we shut the lights, and realized how famished we were. I didn’t get to eat my bacon - no one got bacon - but we definitely made ‘Breakfast’.

We spent the next hour in the kitchen and dining room enjoying a great meal that was collectively prepared by a cast and crew of four and our official sous-chef, a beastly dog.

Tip: Smoked Salmon is good with everything

My nerves are still racking but I think it’s because I just realized that I wasn't the first to have sex in my own bed...

Let’s hope next week’s 4-day shoot goes as well as this one did!

Auditions Day II – Sex & Breakfast

I will take a different path from the one showed in the last post by my partner, not only because I’m not suffering of sexual frustration right now, but also because this day was mainly focused on girls, and sorry for those who might desire me… I don’t do that.

Auditioning makes you feel very professional. Sitting behind a table with your laptops open and two binders by the side with the name of your film on it, interviewing actors and making screen tests, you not only feel but also look professional. Until you experience something as our first candidate for the day.

Ms. A audition facts:

• Had previously postponed the audition the day before. Excuse? Calls at 3pm, 30min before her audition “I’m in the hairdresser since 9am and I’m not done yet”.
• What in the headshots looked like a cute curly blond hair was now a blondish greenish bunch of hay that she seemed to wear very proudly. Props to the kitschy esthetician
• She had not read the narrative treatment and didn’t seem to understand the script either.
• The expressions we asked her to do for the camera were extremely faked.
• And probably the worst, she had a vey suspicious white stain on her sweater.

Frankie closes the door once she left, she looks at me, I look at her and we just knew this was not happening. We were really struggling in finding our Julia. We had more guys auditioning than girls; I guess that the name “Sex & Breakfast” is obviously more appealing to the male audience. But seriously, what girl doesn’t freak out with both?

Our next and last candidate of the day was the antithesis of Ms. A. Extremely cute and sweet. We needed a bitch look though; someone who felt was eating the world one man at a time. This was a girl you’d like to marry. However, not too sure about what she represented at a first glance, we let her do her thing. She enchanted us. When we asked her for a “seductive gaze” she passed from a total sweetheart to Megan Fox. First girl to ask me to participate with her in the audition so she could feel more comfortable while interacting, she knew what she was doing and she let herself direct in the smoothest way. We felt professionals once again, the tension from the audition before had disappeared.

After saying goodbye, Frankie and I had made our decision, no need to discuss it. We went to celebrate with a great pizza and two days later I sent the e-mails to our actors. Yesterday equipment was reserved.

Sex & Breakfast is taking form, the best is about to start.

iTunes plays: For No One - Paulie McCartney 

AnaPé says: SHOOTING SCHEDULE IS ON HIS WAY!

Sex & Breakfast - Auditions

When you’re trying to cast for a movie called Sex & Breakfast, you’re obviously going to look for the hottest cast there is. I mean, come on, the guy is going to have to be shirtless, sensual, sexy, suave, and all the other “s” words that can be associated with the let-me-ravage-you thought.

Today we had our first day of auditions, and I can tell you, I don’t think I could have been more satisfied with our first candidate.

That luscious hair, those deep blue eyes, his beautiful jaw line and heightened cheek bones; I don’t know if he knew what he was doing to me. I don’t think he’s narcissistic, but I’m sure he has a flock of women chasing after him just as Narcissus did back in the day.

As I sat there asking him all these questions, I kept thinking of all the ways I could get him to take his shirt off. Can I just get a peek? Just one peek.

Unfortunately, there’s a level of professionalism that needs to be maintained, and as film students, that’s what we are being taught and what we are hoping to carry with us throughout our careers. 

Thank goodness we have this blog so I can gladly vent all the sexual frustration I’m experiencing after the most excruciating urge-resisting hour of my life.

What are you doing two thousand fourteen?

I am always trying to not do the thing that everybody does, some may call me hipster, but I didn’t want to write about 2014.

And here I am…

00:00 arrived with snow falling from the sky for the first time in my life. I wonder if the fact that I finally spent a New Year’s eve in the land of the cold means that this is the place where I have to start thinking of making a life here. Of course it is, but… maybe it is time to stop thinking of a second life somewhere else. In 12 days I will turn 23, I need to get my shit together.

So here it goes, a small list of things I need to achieve in different aspects of my life for this year:

• Stop the bullshit.
• Have my hair as long as a mermaid.
• Stop lying to people I don’t want to lie. Including myself.
• Buy a new cabinet, this “winter and summer clothes” thing doesn’t work with the size of my closet.
• Stop the egocentrism but keep my self-confidence intact.
• Buy a new desk.
• Read all the books I got over the holidays and still manage to read all the things for school.
• Find a job or at least an internship.
• Move out with my mom and bro.
• Come back to my writing… and do something with it.
• Go to the gym, for real.
• Do the things that make me happy.
• Adopt a cat and call him Luca.
• FILM!

Bonus: I wanted to post this video on Facebook on December 31^st since the beginning of 2013 but I forgot and it disorganized all my plans for the year, so I just decided to tell myself “2014 doesn’t start until I post this somewhere”. With love from Zooey and Joseph.

iTunes plays: Nuestra Historia - Diego Torres' Unpluged

AnaPé says: Just found out that Zooey Deschanel's birthday is one day before mine, I just can't stop loving her.