Freelance, Must Love Cats, & With These Hands

So this past weekend I was able to do some more freelance for my production company. I was asked to get some more footage for a project I helped out with a few months back about a new possible reality show. with the shoot we did a few months ago they were able to  compile a trailer and then the development section of production company pitched this show idea to a few different networks. The reviews they got were positive and so they asked for some more footage, so that is where I was called in.

On Friday I met up with my producer and our subjects for the show. I would like to say that everything went off with out a hitch but well that would just be all out lying now. Sadly there was a pretty big issue that happened right off. Because it was just myself and the producer we were not using that much equipment. Really it was just me with the camera and using either two wireless lav mics or the cameras internal shotgun mic. However I noticed as I was setting up the camera that there seemed to be an issue with the audio. I noticed that for whatever reason I was not getting any readings from both channels. After checking the settings, plugs and inputs I could not find a solution. It was pretty nerve wracking telling your producer “hey I’m sorry can you give me some time to figure this out?” I felt really bad, I have used this particular camera for a while now. It was the same type of camera I used as a B Camera for MLC, and I do know the settings on it really well. So the more I sat with it, the more frustrated/guilty I was feeling, the more time was wasting. I made some calls including the shooter who had used it previously the day beforehand, and after three different sets of advice I realized that I could not waste any more time. I called the office and asked if they could deliver a second camera. There was only one channel of audio working but I could not get it to satisfactory levels, but my producer wanted us to tape something while the second camera was being delivered. So we did with what we could and our second camera arrived. I had the guy look over the first one and he agreed that there was something messed up with it. I felt a little better that it was indeed something wrong with the camera and not me being totally incompetent. The second camera worked fine and we were up and running for the rest of the day.

For the most of it we were just there to see what action unfolded and get it all on tape. We did get some great scenes that I think will help out. We saw our subjects work and interact. We then went with out main subject back to there home. We saw them interact with there family and even went with them on a walk. Where they live has this amazing marsh/park area and while there was deep deep snow (like up to my waist) it was still very pleasant. Once the sun was set that was a wrap for the day and I started making my way home. On the way though I received a call from one of the producers asking if I could also help out the next day as well, which I agreed to happily.

Saturday was a little of the same thing except with a bit more travel. Our main subject had two different events to attend, so that meant a little bit of traveling back and forth but it was still great to capture. During the first event I thought my camera’s audio was wigging out again and had a momentarily silent panic moment but I realized that my mic just needed new batteries. Sadly because of our first event we were a little late to our second one so there was not that much to tape, but it was all very real and I am sure it can be used one way or another. It was not that long of a shoot day but when factoring having to return all the equipment to the office, drop off the tapes for the editor and having to drive all the way back to Nahant to return my car, I did not get back home till close to 10 so it was a nice long day. I do not know wether or not this will help sell the show or not, but if it does we could have a whole new series I might be able to help out with in the future.

So with that out of the way I am here to deliver another plug about Must Love Cats. It premieres THIS SATURDAY AT 8! Seriously you should check it out, it is really well done. Get a chance to finally see what I was referring too for all these months.

Lastly my friends and I have been continuing work on our web series With These Hands! We just made Episode 3 live check it out!

roughweek.org

So that’s it for now, once a new adventure happens you will be sure to hear about it.

Till then!

 

 

 

Random Jobs & Announcement Time

So as January has rolled around I am still doing the fun unemployment thing. But I have had a few good random jobs here and there. Weather it’s taping Bar Mitzvahs, or editing projects I have had something to do to bring in some cash here and there. Until a new show starts up at the production company I work at I just sort of have to sit tight. However I have been lucky enough to help out back at the office for the past few weeks.

A good friend of mine who also works there has called me in a few times to help out with various things. A few weeks ago I helped set up for a photo shoot that was going to be used for promotion of a new show. Funny enough the show was actually one of the shows I helped crew on. So it was nice to see the cast and crew of that show again even if it was for a  day. I was able to do fun things with green screens, learn more about lighting because I sort of suck a lot at that. I was even allowed to take some still photos on a fancy Canon camera. I know a few things backwards and forwards about video cameras, however I have not really had that much of a hands on experience with professional Still Cameras. Nice to know that allot of the same concepts apply, and it was fun just getting my hands on a new type of camera I have never really used before.

I also helped out yesterday as well. Last night was the premiere of a new show on PBS called Making Stuff that our company helped produce. While I was not able to do as much technical stuff as I would like, it was nice to help out for the premiere and well right now jobs a job and money is money so I’m really not going to mind. So I really do not know when I will start up a new show, all I can do is just keep waiting and see what unfolds next.

ok so BIG ANNOUNCEMENT TIME!!!! The show I was working on last year. The show I pretty much started this whole blog for is going to be premiering very soon! The show will be premiering on Animal Planet on February 12th at 8PM!  All of you should check it out and see what all this crazyness I have been talking about for the past year has been for. No seriously its going to be a great show, with a great host and a huge ton of great cats. Check it out in about 3 weeks.

Get Ready

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 55 & 56: Homecoming

So folks it has been a long trip full of lots of sights sounds and well cats but I am happy to say I am finally back home in Boston.

Yesterday I made sure to get up early so I could get home as soon as I could. I said goodbye to New Columbia PA and just made my way back home. I mostly listened to allot of podcasts to help past the time. I did not see my first MA lisence plate until I hit New York, but then afterwards I started seeing more and more familair sights that just warmed my heart. From stupid things like being on 90 east again, to the MA welcomes you sign all these stupid things made me feel really god as I was getting closer and closer to home.  I finally pulled up to the old apartment and I gotta say it felt sort of weird. Not in a bad way mind you just the idea of wow I have just spent so much time just going one place to the next and constatntly working and seeing the country and now I am finally back home where I don’t have to rush or move or drive anywhere like I said it felt weird but it also felt very good.

I walked in and was greeted by happy roomates, a happy cat and a happy boyfriend all very excited to see me and all weirdness melted away and familierality took over.  I mean in two hours time I was in the living room watching one roomate play on the Wii while another was on the PSP and I was on my DS all life seemed to have returned to normal. Later that evening to celebrate the BF and I saw Toy Story 3.

Today was my day of returning. Returning everything from equipment even to the van! I started off by returning our equipment to our rental company. As I was returning everything to the shop I was thinking “this can’t be all of it” but its true all of the equipment we rented was all there and accounted for maybe it was because I wasn’t moving it around to different areas that it seemed smaller. Finally I made my way back to the homebase of our production company. I was able to see allot of my coworkers who I have not seen since I left. It was really great to see everyone and it was cool to see the new digs. After sorting and putting away things we knew we would need for Episode six I finally made my way out to return the van.

Now this van has served me well, its taken me through allot from both sides of the country with very little complaints but it was funny to return it. That being said I am very happy with the idea of not having to drive for a few days. I never thought I would be so happy to take the T back home.

So that’s that folks, this part of the adventure is over, but like I said its not done. I am now on break for a few days but as soon as this adventure kicks up again I will be sure to tell you all about it.

Until then thanks everyone for reading and I’ll update soon when the adventure continues!