Adventure Day 69 – The Last Cat

So I really have been lying last week and a half was in fact my last shoot related with our show. I know I have said this like two times before, but this time I’m really really realllly sure (maybe). Anyways this shoot was not a new segment but more of adding on to an additional segment.

You might remember how when we went to Plymouth to shoot various things related to Cats and Plymouth, that was the whole basis for our shoot last Tuesday, it was to add more to the segment. So I geared up a equipment van one last time as we headed out to the different parts of MA.  One funny thing is you know you have done this a few times when the people at the Avis rent a center recognize who you are. When I first picked up our first van there was a small issue because I am technically under 25 they could not rent me a vehicle, so after a few calls we were able to sort out how my company had an agreement that even though I was under 25 I could rent a van. The first few times I did this we would have to go through this process. At this point now not only do the people there know me they don’t even have to look anything up they just set up the account and give me the keys heh.

We started out not that far out from Boston. We had an interview segment where we interviewed a author of a new book all about cats. This book also relates to cats in Plymouth. It was a very nice and informative interview. Sadly we did not have our host with us this time, and while it sucked not having him there. Because it was just our producer asking questions our interview was pretty quick. One simple set up on a porch a half hour later were all done and were heading out to our next spot.

After the interview everything else was just getting B-Roll of different cats in different barns doing things that cats during plantation times might do. We made our way to 3 different farms along the way each farm farther then the previous one. By the time we made our way to our third barn I was all the way out on the Cape. Each B-Roll segment was really good. Each cat was unique and did different things that will look great for the segment. Everyone we met with was super friendly and I even got to see some beautiful horses which made me want to go riding again.

By the time we were back at the main office it was already nightfall. However it was a good shoot with some good elements that only make the show stronger. So now that that is all done I could say we are now all wrapped with our show. However considering how I have now said that twice in the past and I have been proven wrong so I will just say Its been another great shoot for our great show.

If another shoot happens I will be sure to tell you all about it. Now I go back to the regular work of putting all the post pieces together.

Look at that almost close to 70 adventure day’s total how awesome is that?

Adventure Day 67 & 68: *looks around* I think I can say its a wrap now.

So today marks I think the official end of production for our show. I’m like now 98% sure I will not be going on any more shoots now and the rest is up to post and then getting it out there for you fine people to watch and enjoy. So sorry for no post last night, yesterday was just very long and kind of epic in how much we did. How much did we do? Let me tell you.

We started up nice and early at 5:30 in the morning, damn you 5:30 in the morning it is one of my evil enemies and there is mutual mutual hatred. In anyways Once up we packed up the cars and made our way out to the Algonquin to get our host. There we met up with him and our audio guy. The DP, Producer, Audio, and Host took the rental car and I hopped in the other PA’s car to our first destination Washington Heights.

We arrived at this community garden in Washington Heights just before eight. Because our entire segment is based around cats working in NYC we went to a place where feral cats roam and help out. That part of the shoot went very well. We met a women who takes care of the cats and how they can be a benefit to everyone there at the garden. For feral cats they were quite nice and almost playful. They still had there feral attributes where they would nip at you but for feral cats they could almost be domesticated they were that nice. We got some nice footage of the cats in the gardens and some good interviews. With that part of the day done we had to say goodbye to Manhattan for a little bit and then head off to Brooklyn!

We arrived in Brooklyn home to thousands of shops and bodegas. Apparently allot of stores and bodegas will use cats as mousers to help them. The funny thing is, having a cat in a bodega is considered illegal in the city of New York. However we found someone who owns a bodega that would allow us to shoot in there as long as we did not show where they were actually located. Coming from Boston I do not see many Bodegas really, for me there are just CVS’s and Wallgreens all over the place. The Bodega was really cool though and I realized wow these really are everywhere and are really cool. We interviewed a man who is trying to help change the laws so Cats can legally be allowed to be in Bodegas. He told us that so many cats are used even though there is a law against it because it cuts down on the pest problems so much so they consider it a cost saver in the end despite the fines and consequences. So while we were not at the bodega for that long we did get allot of good footage and another great side of the story. After we were done with that we were off to our third location. The Brooklyn Brewery.

The Brewery was a last minute add on but it was a very nice one. We got to meet the owner and the brewery cat who helps patrol the area but also lies around and acts as a stress reliever and adorable mascot for them. The owner was very nice and showed us around and we got to learn the history of the brewery and the cat. We did not stay too long at he brewery but it was still a very good time. So after this point in the day we encounter our big snafu.

Because we were shooting so much our camera batteries were draining quite fast. So a decision was made that while the rest of the crew got lunch with members of the brewery the other PA and I would go back to the Algonquin and set up the batteries on chargers and then get some lunch. So the other PA and I made our way back to Manhattan and the Algonquin and in a half hour we were there. We got into the room unpacked our stuff and were about to get some food when I realized something….the keys to the other car were resting perfectly on my key link…and the other car was back in Brooklyn…. Sooooooo we realized ok and started making our way back to Brooklyn. The tricky problem is apparently it is much easier to get into Manhattan then out of it. What should have been a “17″ minute drive according to the GPS  actually took an hour. Thanks to NYC wonderful every changing streets, traffic, construction and bizzaro streets that have bizzaro signs or roads so you can’t make a simple right turn made it difficult for us to get back to the brewery. However we eventually did and were able to get the keys back to the rest of the crew. Luckily even despite the delay we were not behind schedule and were able to make our way back to the Algonquin for our final part of the Segment, hotel cats and the birthday of said hotel cat.

The other PA and I were able to quickly get some good food from a food cart and started setting up our equipment for the cats birthday/event. I do not want to give away too much on the event itself but it is way more then just a birthday and is a big deal, that is a great cause for animals and shelters. Lets just say there might have been a cat fashion show but that’s all I’m saying and you should really check it out when it airs. Even though it was a crazy party with tons of people we were able to finish up our shoot with ease. However there was a second snafu that might have caused us to not be so smooth. As we were setting up we realized we had a light that needed to be plugged in. However all the outlets near the light were being used by the hotel. The only outlet that could be used was across the room, and to make sure no one tripped I had to snake our cords around the the parameter of the room. I used both extension cords but it still was not enough. I asked the employees at the Algonquin if they had any extension cords left and sadly they didn’t So after some quick advice from the DP I did the next best thing I rand out into the middle of times square looking to find another extension cord to buy…with a half hour until show time. The nice thing is it is time square so there is practically every store you could imagine around there and one staples, one 25 foot extension chord and the sad goodbye to $40 dollars later I had another extension chord. I raced back to the hotel and was able to get the light in with 10 minutes to spare and then the rest of the event went smooth as silk!

So finally at 8:30 we were officially wrapped and done. I said goodnight to my crew and packed away everything into my room. Now I have been up since 5:30 if I was a smart rational human being I would have gone straight to bed but of course I’m not so I decide to stay up late and go out again. I met up with my buddy Joel where we hung out got a late dinner and lots of tasty drinks. We caught up considering the last time I saw him was last month when I was in NYC. It was a very good time however by the time I got back it was already close to 1 am whoops!

Today I woke up at 7 am and by 8 the DP and I were making our way back to Boston. Luckily! there was not much traffic at all getting out of the city or New York in itself and by noon I was finally back in home territory. The rest of the day involved me returning lots of equipment and tapes and paper work. I actually stayed in office for the last 3 hours and somehow was able to get some work done despite how long of a day it was today and yesterday.

So that being all said I think the great cat adventure traveling wise is over but who knows I may be asked to go off on another crazy cat adventure at any moment. And you know what I’m ok with that.

Adventure Day 66: Did I Say That Was A Wrap? Just Kidding Off to NYC!

So just when you thought my travel days involving cats was over I was asked to do one more shoot for our show! I am spending Today and Tomorrow in the Big Apple one more time to show the hard working kitties of this city.

Today was mostly just getting into NYC. I left MA at around 9:30 and had a nice uneventful trip. Caught up on allot of podcasts I haven’t had a chance to listen too, lots of good This American Life and Stuff You Missed in History Class. I made it into the city before 2pm and I once again battled against the horrors that is driving through downtown Manhattan, but by this time my nerves have been steeled and I was ready to take on whatever it threw at me. Myself and our other PA was able to park our cars at our hotel and meet up with the rest of crew for lunch. There I found out that we needed to get a new piece of equipment. Thanks to our fast crack team back home they had an address for me and one cab ride later I was off getting a new piece of equipment.

I was able to get our new piece of equipment and then was back at the Algonquin for our Broll. However to our dismay we learned that the piece we needed did not work. So as we continued to shoot while I called the rental place and then have them deliver us a replacement…replacement piece. We got the rest of our Broll just fine and that was it for the day.

To celebrate the night the crew and I went to a wonderful Italian restaurant. And that dear adventureurs is really it. A quick good day. Tomorrow will be the big one for sure but I know it will all be good.

Time to pack it in early call time tomorrow.

And Here We Go Again

So fellow adventurers the time has started again to continue this grand cat adventure again.

I had a great close to two weeks break. I was able to see my friends, my family, and my loved ones and just rest reflect and enjoy being home again. It was very nice to not have to drive anywhere not worry about having to get to a new state in a number of hours or anything. The two biggest things I was happy about was being in my own bed again, and being able to wear something that was not the same nine shirts I had been wearing on the trip.

However the time for rest is over and its time to start up this adventure again for one more episode! Our new adventure is happening all along the East Coast this time and this time its only going on for 10 days instead of 2 months. I will be doing some filming here in MA in Plymouth, then off to New York City, then some back and forth between New Jersey and New York again, and finally we cap it all off with a quick trip to Washington DC. Now because its only ten days these next ten days are going to be extra jam packed and its going to be some looooong days ahead, but I know that its all going to be great and were going to come up with a wonderful sixth episode.

Yesterday I went in to get the new round of equipment and wheels. I got a new van this time, I don’t know what happened to the old one. When I went to the rental place I didn’t see it in the lot at all, maybe I just put so many miles on it that they retired it already. However I have a new van with some swanky new things in it that should make the trip very enjoyable. I then did some back and forth between the office and where we get our equipment, for the most of it same amount of equipment as last time so I’m glad I don’t have to familiarize myself with something new.

Today is my final day home before I head off, I have to do things like pack, get supplies for the van and crew, make sure all arrangements at home are taken care of and make sure things like the cat and the BF are all good. While I am very excited to get going on this next round of filming I am glad that its shorter this time around and I will be staying on the east coast.  So I guess I should  not waste the day get things started.

Also very funny tomorrow the day we start filming again is on my Birthday, hey filming a national TV show is a cool way to celebrate your 24th birthday.