Action, People!
Working. Making movies. On location.
Being on set has been great. BEING AROUND PEOPLE AGAIN. So good. Scary? Yes, at first. I have surrendered to my decision though. Or else I wouldn’t be able to work.
The plague protocols are in place. I am getting tested three times a week. Everyone on set is always wearing a mask. The only maskless people are the actors when we are working. There’s a lot of squirting and wiping going on by a crew of squirters and wipers. Cleaning products. Hand sanitizer.
This is the first time I’ve been on a film set since Lynn’s death. I have a conscious feeling of her being with me. I am not the most confident actor in the world. I came to it late and I’m never really sure I am doing it right or well. Lynn always supported my acting and always thought I was great. I know she was in love with me but I believed her. I mean, we made movies and TV together. So, when I’m working I remember what she said to me and how she talked to me and how she looked at me while I was acting. I also remember what I learned from her in terms of the authenticity of moments. She is very much with me on set. I just wish she actually was. I will say this though, many memories are becoming blessings. I guess that’s a saying for a reason.
I am working with a totally incredible actress. It is daunting. I’d almost just rather watch her act than act with her. I used to get that with Brie and Gilpin too. Andrea Riseborough is the REALEST OF DEALS. I didn’t really know her work before but she has to give such a layered performance through the arc of this character and it’s amazing to see her put it into place each scene.
There really hasn’t been much time for us to even talk as people. When you are working on a small budget movie there really isn’t even time to rehearse. We just meet on set ready to go. AND we’re shooting on film, so even less time. I swear the first time we really talked was on Friday, after working together for five days. She felt rushed and wanted to take some time to run lines. I was excited. We had never done that and we had done a lot of scenes already. She needed time and a bit of space from everyone to focus on our next scene and I was happy to do it with her. That is part of the work. She is the center of this movie and it’s a lot to carry and I am there to support her, not just as my character, but as a person. It’s nice to just connect as people doing the work. You find stuff that way.
It’s also just amazing to see her do the acting thing.
Today I talk to an amazing actor, Scott Glenn. I thought he would be intimidating. I mean, I know he can be, I’ve seen many of his movies. He was lit up. We talked before the election. On Thursday I talk to Bootsy Collins. He was also lit up but on a whole other frequency. Great talks!
Enjoy!
Boomer, Monkey and LaFonda live!
Love,
Maron