Day 1 -- June 20, 1998 Ah... movie-making. The glamor. The glitz. The napping. Welcome to Rubbernecks, the twenty minute, SAG-waiver, independent short film being produced and directed by fellow Harvard alum, Susan Walter. Since graduating in 1991, Susan has been on the producing fast track, from her two years in the DGA Trainee program to a slew of TV and film projects, to her current A.D status on NBC's Caroline in the City. This film marks her directorial debut and she has assembled her friends and colleagues to help her put it together. My creative input takes me down a familiar road. It's the return of the Ice Cream Guy, a character originated and honed behind the counter on Party of Five, now unleashed onto the streets in a state-of-the-art ice cream truck. The outfit and attitude are pretty much the same. Only the stripes have changed. Red must be the "in-shop" uniform, while green is more suited for field work. Mark my words, though, I can make the adjustment.

young mother Kyra Schwartz

The time spent actually being "at work" reminds me why I find film work so annoying: the waiting. There are so many details that have to be squared away by so many different people on so many different shots. It's a demanding schedule. Luckily I was able to dodge the demands most of the day. After arriving at 9:30am, I got into make-up and promptly went to sleep. I awoke two hours later for lunch, then made some phone calls and yes, once again, went to sleep.

By 4pm, I awoke again and decided to mosey on down to the set. Oddly enough, as I approached, it was as if I had been sent for. Walkie-talkies crackled to attention, "OK, I got the ice cream guy here." "Keep him close." "Where do you want him?" "Make sure he's standing by." The scene up next involved mostly my truck, but they were happy to have me there to stand next to it looking goofy. And after that, we shot a quick moment of the ice cream guy with the young mother (scene 1b). It was a tender moment. And then back to the waiting game. No third nap, though. They kept me on the set, always "standing by." So I stood by for another couple of hours and then they wrapped for the day. No more Ducey.

As Rebecca, the 2nd A.D., and I walked back toward the dressing room, I asked her to stick up for me when they started discussing call times for tomorrow, noting that I did not report to the set until 4pm, six-and-a-half hours after my arrival. She said she would see what she could do. I hope she has some luck.

Go on to Day 2

Day by Day | Rubbernecks | Ducey on Film