Just returned from an on location shoot outside of manila. My entire back and upper arms hurts like hell. Used the steadicam and even though I got the shots to slide perfectly to a tee without a bump or a jar, it was such a fucker on the right and left forearms. Something that the manual and steadicam instructor FAILED TO INFORM ME!

They tout it as the next best thing since the crane and the jib! But they failed to mention that the weight of the cam and the harness would eventually fall on some part of the operator’s anatomy.

I should have known when I read that GARRET BROWN the inventor and the most experienced user of the STEADICAM developed some major anatomical injuries when he was using it. THAT SHOULD HAVE TIPPED ME OFF…BUT NOOOOOOOOO!

Anyway I got up at 4 in the morning and checked the equipment. Call time was at 5 AM. The utility vehicle arrived at 6:20.

Along the way we got lost three times trying to find the exit route. By the time we got to the location it was already quarter to ten.

The location was great, ABSOLUTE JUNGLE. Foliage and everything. I can do sweeping panoramic shoots without worrying about getting some television antennae or some sheet iron rooftop. Nothing! NOTHING FOR MILES!

Halfway thru the shoot my actor broke three spears. I was lucky that the production assistant decided to bring all three spears!

The heat and humidity finally got to us three hours into the shoot.

FLIM: “ Now I want you to run for your life. But I want a lot of failing hand gestures! “

DEE: “ OK!”

He runs!

FLIM: “ You run like CHARIOTS OF FIRE style. I DON’T WANT GLAMOUR! I want panic run for your life, sweat storming run.”

DEE: “ Ok! “

He runs

FLIM: “ YOU’RE SMILING! YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSE TO SMILE! You’re being chased and when they get you they’ll tear you to shreds! “

DEE: “ Ok! “

He runs again.

FLIM: “ Do it again! “

He runs again.

FLIM: “ Another take! “

HE RUNS AGAIN

DEE: “ How many times must I do this run?

FLIM: “ Until we get you running like no one has seen before.”

DEE: “ But it’s just running! “

FLIM: “ Nope! It’s running for your life! “

DEE: “ Im ready.”

FLIM: “ OK! “

I took twenty-five takes of him running across the frame. 30 takes of him battling his attackers. Fifteen takes of him falling into a ground littered with king sized carabao manure and 5 hours of non-stop shooting.

By the end of the day we smelled like newly cut grass, sweat and …a smell that I don’t even want to think about.

Last Friday I shot inside a sound studio. There was a battery of air conditions and the two sets were constructed side by side. That was such a pleasant shoot. No walking around the sun and carrying heavy equipment for thirty minutes, no sweat. Refreshments and southern style chicken just within arm’s length.


Such a far cry from today’s shoot. Now here I’m writing today’s entry while today’s shots are catalogued and written down. In an hour I will take a much-needed bath. Get a few bites in between viewing the dallies and then I’m off to editing.

There were so many interesting conversations I had with DEE the actor. But Im too exhausted to recount them today. Maybe tomorrow.