Production Day #5 of Awakening found me back on set at a very manageable 8:00 a.m. this morning. Understand, it’s not so much that I mind waking up that early than it’s the dogs simply refusing to stir if the alarm sounds anytime before 6:30 a.m. They’ll actually ignore me, feigning a deep, impenetrable slumber when I call out to them – and then, when I attempt to carry them off the bed, sprawl out and make themselves as awkward and difficult to pick up as possible. They’re smart. In fact, I think they’re pretty damn close to figuring out how to reprogram my alarm clock.
Some progress to report on the script front. I finished a rough draft of Act III yesterday. It’s a bit…rough. And a tad expensive. So far, I’m averaging about one visual effects shot per page! Call me a pessimist, but I have a feeling that aint gonna fly.
Anybody else catch the finale of Spartacus: Blood and Sand? The aptly titled “Kill Them All!” wrapped up the show’s first season in bloody spectacular fashion. What I at first assumed would be little more than an anemic 300 rip-off turned out to be a well written, well acted, well directed, incredibly compelling series. Sure, I kind of wished they’d made use of some of those spectacular New Zealand vistas, or injected just a little dark humor into the mix, but there’s always season two. Congrats go out to cast, crew, and, of course, Exec Producer Steven S. DeKnight. Loved it.
Well, with Spartacus done, I’m down to one lone scripted drama: House.
Mailbag:
Noelm writes: “It’s obvious to me. The reason for Ashleigh’s negligence is that her friends are about half your age. Ya dirty old man.”
Answer: Wow. That’s harsh. We’re not talking May-December romance here. More of a June-October thing. History is filled with many such happy relationships: Rochester and Jane Eyre, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, U.S. President Grover Cleveland and his First Lady Frances Folsom, that cadaverous rock guitarist and his bartender girlfriend. Besides, I’ve been told I act very immature for my age.
Shawna writes: “Why hasn’t Ashleigh introduced me to any of her cute, single friends yet? …Did I miss something?”
Answer: Possibly. Did you forget to set your DVR? How many episodes have you missed? The network work was inundated with emails by anti-shippers and eventually decided to shake things up by having the producers write out one of the characters.
Natasha writes: “Decadent, rich chocolate, covered in flowers – Vosges must be run by people that know women because they killed two birds with one stone. Thanks for letting Ashleigh share the chocolates with us gals! And, to Lawren for not enjoying them. He’ll eat brains, but not flowers and chocolate?”
Answer: Yeah, what is up with that guy? And I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the rose truffles. It was my pleasure. Hey, since we’re on the topic of food – do you like crispy duck?
Tim Lade writes: “Quick question for you Joe…what exactly is a consulting producer vs. executive producer.”
Answer: It really depends on the production. In my case, the difference between being a Consulting Producer last year and an Executive Producer this year comes down to meaningful input on all stages of production vs. actual hands-on producing (prepping, dealing with budgets, being on-set, doing my own cuts).
crayonbaby writes: “Is Lou Diamond Phillips coming back for any episodes?”
Answer: Aw, you shouldn’t believe me, even if I did tell you.
MrsB. writes: “Will Destiny ever pick up any new permanent/semi-permanent residents?”
Answer: Stay tuned.
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