Have been so busy writing posts for Kickstarter, Facebook, the crossing the river website, Twitter, that I haven't gotten to filmmaker mama for awhile. It is so specific, dealing with being a mama and a filmmaker.. those thoughts are a little different than the thoughts having to do specifically with the shoot.
I will say this: After directing "Crossing the River" I am certain I am capable of directing a feature film. This is very meaningful and profound to me. It happened without my realizing it during the shoot, but it hit me at one point and it was an exhilarating feeling. I felt I was able to really work with the actors in a specific and personal way; had a great collaboration and communication with my DP; and had a very strong sense of the story I wanted to tell and how I wanted it to look, and for the most part was able to communicate that.
Miranda and Bruce were with me in South Carolina during the shoot. Bruce was playing one of the lead roles in the film, but was only needed for about a day and a half of the four day shoot. I also needed him for rehearsals on Monday and Wednesday afternoons (the shoot was Thursday-Sunday). Now mind you, I do realize that there are MANY MANY filmmaker mamas out there. I also realize that at the moment I am in a situation where it is a mite bit challenging because we don't have the resources to hire a babysitter to come with us on the shoot (although this is a goal for the next film) or even for much else of the time.
Soooo... this is how it was handled: For the most part Bruce and Miranda hung out in South Carolina. They got lots of Daddy-Miranda time which they normally don't get as much of in NYC because Bruce works so damn much. So they went to the zoo, the children's museum, the Lorax movie, the Winnie the Pooh garden, a train, a birthday party, and to countless coffee shops and restaurants. They actually had a fabulous time. And our kind friend Jane let us stay in the bottom floor of her house (with a separate entrance), making EVERYTHING so much easier to handle during this possibly-stressful time.
Okay... Rehearsals: Martha hung out with Miranda a bit.. in the ROOM where we were rehearsing. So there were moments during the read-through when Miranda was talking, wanted my attention, wanted Bruce's attention, etc. I tried to make a joke about it and said "this is what I write about in my blog!" It really wasn't too bad though. During intense moments of rehearsal (the film is definitely not for small kids), I tried to have her go into the other room with Martha and with Hayley, our wardrobe supervisor. There were moments she came wandering in still. No biggie.
During the shoot, when Bruce was acting and I was directing, it was challenging. Martha watched her at moments, but she had other things she needed to take care of. Tammy watched her at moments, but she's my Co-Producer and was wearing many other hats. Dessa, 1st AD, also watched her at moments but I don't think this was in the job description! Not ideal circumstances, but we made it work. Martha, Tammy and Dessa, if you are reading this - thank you!!!!!!! There were moments on the set when we had "QUIET ON THE SET!!!" and it was Miranda screaming in another room. Mostly, it all worked out. And many days Bruce and Miranda were traipsing around on their adventures.
There was only one moment when I had to leave my directing post at the monitor and hang out with Miranda in the car (during an outdoor shoot) until she was quiet. She had seen a fly in the car and was freaked out. I finally calmed her down and was able to return to my job (Dessa was with her of course!). It was luckily during a shot of an CU insert of an action. But not ideal. Much better than the moment during my last film "Other People's Houses" when I actually had to go.home.to.breastfeed.miranda.because.she.was.having.a.meltdown. That was a really tough moment. I had to walk away during a moment of the film I really needed to be directing.
Miranda is no longer breastfeeding. And the older she gets, I think the easier this is gonna get. She'll probably be able to hang out on the set and just relax.
I'm still learning too. It's a really interesting process. I'm glad she gets to see what I do, what my passion is. It means a lot to me as well.
A jumble of thoughts, but to me that's what this blog is for.............
Love on a Thursday evening of ruminations---
Emilie
(okay, in the photo can you see Miranda behind Bruce on the truck? :) - that's me on the right and everyone else are the amazing actors Michelle, Tyler and Landon)
