It's crazy that's its been over a year since I last blogged. But let me tell you, it's with good reason. I forgot the password. And for the past year I've had Hogzilla crampin' my style! No one's signed my guestbook, given me eprops nothing, but not any longer I'm back on the blogsphere. I'm ready to type out my thoughts, my hopes and dreams, triumphs and faults, and if America is ready for a 70 plus year old President, you know the important stuff.
For the past year I have been working for the city of Los Angeles as a Park Film Monitor. In a nutshell I maintain the integrity of the cities' parks while film companies use them for there various projects. I show up with my paper work that describes what the company is shooting and where, plus a list of rules that I enforce. So far I've worked on set with Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy, Christopher Lloyd, David Duchovny and Christina Rucci among others. It's the best job I could ask for and it's hard to believe that I get paid to do it.
Now, I'm always on call, so from week to week I'm unsure of what days I'll be working. I don't have a set area of parks that I cover, I just get called and go out to the set. This one particular day I get a call to head over to Echo Park Lake which is right off the 101 (at Echo Park Ave.). At the time I was living in La Mirada which was killing me because most of the jobs were in the heart of Los Angeles or in the Valley which meant I had to leave at least an hour or more earlier just to make the place on time. But this day was different.
My 2005 Ford Focus drives up to the Lake an hour early. Which is no big deal, it happens, gives me some time to run by the local BK and get some breakfast. The breakfast and I return and I have some time to look over my paperwork. It reads project: "Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long blog" which I thought is an odd name and I scan more: Director Joss Whedon. I pause for a second, take a bite out of my sausage muffin w/o egg and realize this is the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Firefly" guy. This should be interesting.
The hour comes to a close and I find myself walking onto set to Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Horrible, Nathan Fillion as Captain Hammer, Felicia Day the love interest Penny and Joss Whedon at the helm! Mr. Whedon is a very unimposing guy dressed with a black trench coat, brown fedora, and blue jeans. He seemed almost as if he was one one of the grips. His presence came off like he didn't take himself too seriously which is probably why he fronted all the cash to put on a zany comedic musical with Doogie Howser, M.D. and the lead from Firefly.
The scene that they shot first took place during the beginning of the second act the "I cannot believe my eyes" song where Captain Hammer and Penny are sitting on a park bench while Dr. Horrible sneaks behind them with a fake bush. It then moved to the paddle boats which almost caused the film crew to be kicked out because the life guards have strict rules on having the life jackets on at all times, they comprised and the crew got the shot.
They then began to construct a green screen in the middle of the park. Which concerned me because I was not told they would be screwing anything into the ground. But nonetheless they put up a 12 ft screen and set Dr. Horrible in front on it. This particular scene takes place during the "Brand New Day" number where Dr. H crashes through the city and ends his mayhem by crushing Captain H. After that shot they moved across the street and that was the end of my shift.
What a concept. I'm amazed at how well it came together and leaves one at the end wanting more. Can you really have a musical web series? Since the whole "webisode" phenomenon is still in it's developing stages it's possible anything can succeed. Of all the filming that I've been to this past year this has to be hands down the most unique and visually rewarding. I felt like it was watching something special. And now it's kinda old news since it's so popular but I just have to mention it again because it really made an impression on me. The fact that Joss Whedon did on his own terms completely independent is very inspiring. He did this while the writer's strike was in full effect. How likely was it that a studio would okay something as abstract and left of center as this? He did it because he believed in the project and believed there would be an audience for it. Hats off to you Mr. Whedon once again you reminded us of how talented you are and how we were fools at mocking the Buffy "musical" episode. You have one more fan add to your legions.
I wish I had some pics or some behind the scenes video but ah.. let's be honest.. I'd be out of a job if I started busting out some TMZ action. So here's the link if you haven't seen it:
